Race Picks Chicagoland: 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.

Microsoft Copilot AI (4 wins) sez: Most likely contenders (based on 2026 results so far).  These drivers have already won multiple races or shown strong performance this season:  Tyler Reddick — Multiple wins in 2026, including Daytona 500 and several early-season victories. 

Truck Series (2 wins) off

O’Reilly Series (4 wins) Cuervo 300 Saturday 5:30pm ET on CW: CARSON KVAPIL—kvroom, kvroom.

Cup Series Eero 400 6pm ET on TNT  FAVORITE (1 win): DENNY HAMLIN—and why isn’t this a Saturday night race?  NEXT FAVORITE (2 wins): RYAN BLANEY—quietly getting ready for a dominant Chase run.  DARK HORSE (1 win): BUBBA WALLACE—with some crying in victory lane, I’m sure.

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 6 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 6: Three big whiffers (well, four if you count me losing the Pack 5 entries)

First Look: I’m guessing Riley winds up at Legacy MC next year, but what do I know?  Well, besides simple logic and deduction skills.

To the Back: I don’t know which Burton had a more-disappointing career to-date, Harrison or Jeb.  At least neither of them have run for a decaying Morgan-McClure Motorsports (…yet).

Say What: “Mining companies and a 00’s sitcom star—its a winning combination!”

Final Rating: 2 associate sponsors 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: 26th, Danny Sullivan

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 26th: Danny Sullivan #99 Corporate Car of Indianapolis Virtue Racing Chevy

Finished: 33rd

Career Highlights: 1985 Indianapolis 500, 1988 CART Series champion, 17 time IndyCar race winner, that random Miami Vice cameo.

Sullivan's car on the Brickyard's
pit road

Total Brickyard 400 Starts: 1

Best Brickyard 400 Finish: 33rd (1994)

1994 Fun Fact: Danny DNQ’d for two earlier races in 1994—this Brickyard 400 would be his only Nascar start.  And somehow this led to him running the Red Bull driver search.

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