Race Picks Richmond: 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.

Claude AI (Sonnet 5) (5 wins) sez: Based on current form, Denny Hamlin leads the 2026 points standings with 4 wins…If I had to bet, I'd lean toward Denny Hamlin.

Truck Series (2 wins) Black’s Tire 250 Friday 7:30pm ET on FS1: LAYNE RIGGS—where will he wind up in 2027?  Well, hopefully not RWR.

O’Reilly Series (4 wins) off

Cup Series Cook Out 400 7pm ET on USA  FAVORITE (1 win): TYLER REDDICK—back on track heading into the playo—er, Chase.  NEXT FAVORITE (2 wins): CHASE ELLIOTT—perhaps punting someone out of the way?  DARK HORSE (1 win): CARSON HOCEVAR—definitely punting someone out of the way.

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

Spade Racing Opens a 2026 Donruss Hobby Box of Cards—Pack 12 of 16

It’s back to a hobby back for the first official 2026 cards.  Join me as I go through all 16 packs of 8 cards each!

Pack 12: W, What to Do, and a Win That’s True

First Look: Is Alex the president of The National Association of W Lovers?

To the Back: OK, all Justin needs to do is regroup in Trucks, get a little more sponsorship support, hope his team miraculously improves, and he’ll be back in Cup ready to win again.

Say What: “Every time I win a race, Denny Hamlin stubs his toe.”

Final Rating: 7 rain delay interviews 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

www.moxoc.com

Foundational Bricks—The 1994 Brickyard 400: 32nd, Bobby Hamilton

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 32nd: Bobby Hamilton #40 Kendall Oil SABCO Pontiac

Finished: 24th

Career Highlights: Four Cup Series race wins, 2004 Truck Series champion, 1991 Cup Series Rookie of the Year, knew the taste difference between regular and pink lemonades.

Total Brickyard 400 Starts: 10

Best Brickyard 400 Finish: 11th (1995)

Hamilton's 1994 car, from Jay Coker

1994 Fun Fact: Bobby’s 1994 crew chief at SABCO Racing was Jeff “Hollywood” Hammond, in between stints with Darrell Waltrip.  In case you’re curious, these stints were the “DW’s really putting together a great team” stint and the “DW Past Champions Provisional” stint.

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