Buschy McBusch 400, Kansas, 3 p.m. TV: FS1
If Daytona is the Grandfather of NASCAR, Kansas is the grandchild.
Sunday’s race here will be just the 11th all time. The debut came in 2011 with Brad Keselowski recording the first of his two trips to Victory Lane.
There are some trends to consider: Toyotas have won five of the first 10 races. And Joe Gibbs Racing has four winners in the first 10 races, and that doesn’t count Martin Truex Jr. who won before joining JGR.
So what’s going to happen Sunday? That’s what “The Eckel 4’’, who picked the winner again last week in Talladega, are here to tell you. Of course, as always, “The 4” includes Scott “Tobacco Road’’ Baker, Mike “Left Turn’’ Sweeney and Barry “Dr. NASCAR’’ Davis.
Martin Truex Jr. (11-2): Three of the four listed Truex, the New Jersey native, this week and with good reason. The only two-time winner this year has had success in the heartland. He has a win here, came in second in 2018 and third last year. He’s also driving a Toyota for Joe Gibbs.
Denny Hamlin (5-1): I write this every week so here it is again. Hamlin has done everything this year, except win. “Tobacco Road’’ thinks that ends this week and two others feel he has a chance as well. He did win here last year for his second Kansas win. And like Truex, he’ll be in Toyota for JGR.
Kevin Harvick (10-1): You don’t get odds on last year’s point champion like this too often. The good Dr. couldn’t resist. Harvick did win here in 2018 and came in fourth a year ago.
Kyle Larson (9-2): Larson is the favorite here for a reason. He’s been racing very well this season and the red-hot, heading South “Left Turn’’ is all over him this week.
Longshot Plays: Alex Bowman (16-1), Erik Jones (80-1).
Aside: Jones’ odds are crazy for a driver, who finished fifth here last year and third in 2019.