Join me as I test my wits against various AI programs in picking the 2026 Cup races. Once they’ve made their picks, I’ll make my normal Favorite, Next Favorite, and Dark Horse picks (in addition to my regular O’Reilly & Truck Series picks). At the end of the year we’ll see who knows more—me, or a soulless machine gobbling up water and electricity.
Claude AI Sonnet 5 (5 wins) sez: Since you're asking for my genuine read rather than just facts: I'd lean toward Denny Hamlin.
Here's my reasoning — he's been remarkably strong at WWT Raceway specifically: he finished second, second, and first in his last three races there before winning last year's Enjoy Illinois 300 by 1.6 seconds over his own teammate, earning his first win at the track and 59th of his career. That kind of track-specific pattern (rather than one-off luck) is one of the more reliable signals in NASCAR, and intermediate 1.25-mile ovals tend to reward strong aero/handling packages that Joe Gibbs Racing has consistently had there.
Truck Series (2 wins) off
O’Reilly Series (4 wins) Nu Way 225 Saturday 7:30pm ET on CW: SAM MAYER—its about time, Sam.
Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 3pm ET on USA FAVORITE (1 win): CHRISTOPHER BELL—Two in a row. NEXT FAVORITE (2 wins): KYLE LARSON—actually closing the deal this time. DARK HORSE (2 wins): BRAD KESELOWSKI—fuel mileage is the only way.
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Does this track have lights?
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