I’m Back.
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| Click to Enlarge (courtesy Nascar & NBC) |
For Michael Jordan that was enough to signal a triumphant return, but for me, there’s probably some more explanation required.
It’s been crazy, to put it mildly, at work. I’m deemed “essential” (probably the best compliment I’ve ever received) so that’s meant even more hours than usual at the office…well, store. Since I’m basically being called in whenever anyone calls out, I can’t predict when my next block of free time will be. So I’m making my picks for the next two weeks right here, right now.
So there’s the little problem of what to do about “Last Year’s Winners” for the Cup Series. Well, to keep it going, I’ll be doubling up last year’s winner at Darlington. For Charlotte, I’ll use last year’s 600 winner for the 600 and the 500k race (since I’m assuming they’ll be back at Charlotte again later this year for the Roval race.
Current stats:
CUP SERIES Last Year’s Winners (2 WINS), No wins for me (grrr)
XFINITY SERIES (2 WINS)
TRUCK SERIES (1 WIN)
And now, finally, the return to picks!
May 17 (Sunday): Cup (400 miles) Darlington. 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX. LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Erik Jones FAVORITE: Kevin Harvick—Happy is able to adapt and overcome. NEXT FAVORITE: Kyle Busch—or things keep rolling along as per usual. DARK HORSE: Matt DiBenedetto—a feel-good win everyone will automatically say was rigged.
May 19 (Tuesday): Xfinity (200 miles) Darlington. 8 p.m. ET on FS1: Austin Cindric—a Penske sweep would show that The Captain really IS always going to find a way to win.
May 20 (Wednesday): Cup (500 kilometers) Darlington. 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1. LAST YEAR’S WINNER (well, sorta): Erik Jones FAVORITE: Martin Truex Jr.—JGR is likely to remain an unstoppable force. NEXT FAVORITE: Denny Hamlin—second-most impressive FedEx run lately (all FedEx delivery drivers tied for first). DARK HORSE: Kurt Busch—would be a nice break from controversy at Ganassi.
May 24 (Sunday): Cup (600 miles) Charlotte. 6 p.m. ET on FOX. LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Martin Truex Jr. FAVORITE: Kyle Busch—Candyman keeps it comin’. NEXT FAVORITE: Chase Elliott—another popular win that people would claim was fixed. DARK HORSE: Christopher Bell—JGR-adjacent but still a true underdog.
May 25 (Monday): Xfinity (300 miles) Charlotte. 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1: Ross Chastain—a nice return to the Xfinity Series if he can pull it off.
May 26 (Tuesday): Trucks (200 miles) Charlotte. 8 p.m. ET on FS1: Matt Crafton—when in doubt, pick ol’ reliable.
May 27 (Wednesday): Cup (500 kilometers) Charlotte. 8 p.m. ET on FS1. LAST YEAR’S WINNER (kinda sorta): Martin Truex Jr. FAVORITE: Denny Hamlin—Toyotas stay tough. NEXT FAVORITE: Joey Logano—a bad stretch for BradK raises rumors that he might have a foot out the door. DARK HORSE: Alex Bowman—as refreshing as a splash of water to the face.