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 (5 wins) sez: Christopher Bell — the statistical favorite
Bell is the strongest pick according to multiple sources:
He has won 7 of 11 races at NHMS across NASCAR’s top three series.
He won the most recent NHMS Cup race in June 2024, leading the final 64 laps.
Predictive models give him ~10.9% win probability, second only to Blaney.
Bell’s combination of elite track history and current form makes him the most likely winner.
Truck Series (2 wins) Team EJU 175 Saturday 1:30pm ET on FS1: CHANDLER SMITH—Front Row having such a good Trucks program is like a basement-dwelling MLB team having a great AA-level minor league squad.
O’Reilly Series (4 wins) off
Cup Series Dollar Tree 301 3pm ET on USA FAVORITE (1 win): JOEY LOGANO—AND it’s a local win for him (until they build a track in Connecticut). NEXT FAVORITE (2 wins): DENNY HAMLIN—INSERT LOBSTER JOKE HERE. DARK HORSE (1 win): ROSS CHASTAIN—no “Hail Melon”, but he needs something similar to get back on track.
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