Race Picks Las Vegas: 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 (6 wins) sez: If I had to pick, I'd go with (Kyle) Larson.

Truck Series (2 wins) Kansas 200 Saturday 1pm ET on FS1: JAKE GARCIA—at least its not GREG Garcia.

O’Reilly Series (4 wins) Focused Health 302 Saturday 7:30pm ET on CW: SHELDON CREED—the ol’ double-oh is heating up.

Cup Series South Point 400 5:30pm ET on USA  FAVORITE (1 win): DENNY HAMLIN—JGR could be our only hope to avoid Larson running away with it.  NEXT FAVORITE (3 wins): TY GIBBS—see above.  DARK HORSE (2 wins): ALEX BOWMAN—his last win?

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 Three 2026 Select “Blaster” Boxes—Pack 2 of 18

I’m moving away from Hobby Boxes to three “Blaster” Boxes this time for the 2026 Panini Select cards.  Join me as I go through all 18 packs!

Pack 2: Blurry, no hurry, and fury

First Look: You’ll have to take my word for it—this “Select Skills” card is pretty cool in person.  Guess I shouldn’t have skipped photography class in high school.

To the Back: Keep in mind that while Erik LIKES the Chase returning, he didn’t find it necessary to actually qualify for it this year.

Say What: “The next guy who asks me to take my hat off will feel the wrath of someone who had to run for SHR for four years.”

Final Rating: 4 out-of-sync calls to start engines 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: 39th, Derrike Cope

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 39th: Derrike Cope #02 Children’s Miracle Network Taylor Racing Ford

Finished: 27th

Career Highlights: Two Cup Series race wins, 1990 Daytona 500 winner, StarCom Racing founder, subject of a book by Brock Beard.

Cope (in the 02) with AJ Foyt behind him at
the Brickyard

Total Brickyard 400 Starts: 5

Best Brickyard 400 Finish: 14th (1996)

"I had just lost my ride with Cale Yarborough and went with a team who had not qualified for a race in 1994-- the 02 car.  I made the race for them in a race that had 80 cars entered.  I think we finished
27th, a good moral victory" --Derrike Cope

1994 Fun Fact: Despite racing for three different teams in 1994, Derrike still attempted every single race in 1994.  He was like a utility infielder—plug him in anywhere and he’ll improve performance.

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