Race Picks Darlington: Spade Racing vs. AI

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.


AI (1 win) Grok sez: “If you're asking for a prediction: Darlington tends to reward veterans with experience there. Denny Hamlin has had success at this track in recent seasons (including overtime wins).


Meanwhile, here’s MY human picks:


Truck Series (1 win) Buckle Up South Carolina 200 7:30pm ET on FS1: CHANDLER SMITH—but what if you’re from one of the other 49 states?


O’Reilly Series VFW Help a Hero 200 Saturday 5:30pm ET on CW: AUSTIN HILL—guessing this is the kind of race that ends with a last-lap punting.


Cup Series Goodyear 400 Sunday 3pm on Fox  FAVORITE: RYAN BLANEY—The Lady in Black loves a mustache.  NEXT FAVORITE: KYLE LARSON—one of about 14 races he’ll be running this week.  DARK HORSE: CARSON HOCEVAR—breakthrough!



www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly


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Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing


Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized


Does this track have lights?


A MOXOC Media production

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Spade Racing Opens 2 Blaster Boxes of 2025 Panini Prizm Cards—Pack 3 of 12


Rather than a “hobby box”, I decided to go with the more economical choice of two “Blaster Boxes” for the 2025 Panini Prizm cards (although they were bought in January 2026.  With six packs of five cards each in each box, that’s twelve packs to open!


Pack 3: Glory days, high praise, and what Junior says


First Look: I love the look of this black and white pic on a “refractor” card.  And its better to see a Richard Petty pic that isn’t the same one Son of a Gun’s been using since the early 90’s.


To the Back: That’s some pretty strong praise from Denny to the Chili’s franchisee.

Say What: “I like Mixed Fruit Blast, but I prefer Cherry Mint or Orange Chill.  But that’s just me.”


Final Rating: 8 visor tearoffs out of 10



www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly


www.facebook.com/spaderacing


www.twitter.com/spaderacing


Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing


Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized


Does this track have lights?


A MOXOC Media production

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Foundational Bricks—The 1994 Brickyard 400: 11th, Morgan Shepherd

Join me as I take a look back every Monday at the starting lineup for one of the biggest races in NASCAR history, the inaugural Brickyard 400. 


Starting 11th: Morgan Shepherd #21 Citgo Wood Bros. Racing Ford


Finished: 10th


Shepherd in retirement
Career Highlights: Four Cup Series wins, oldest Cup Series race starter, fifth-place 1990 Cup 

Series championship finish, looks like a barber from my hometown.


Total Brickyard 400 Starts: 4


Best Brickyard 400 Finish: 5th (1996)




1994 Fun Fact: Morgan posted two runner-up and two third-place finishes during the 1994 season.  And to think, it all started when he traded three squirrels for a race car.



www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly


www.facebook.com/spaderacing


www.twitter.com/spaderacing


Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing


Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized


Does this track have lights?


A MOXOC Media production

www.moxoc.com

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