Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte, N.C., 6 p.m. TV: Fox
Maybe as the NASCAR season approaches its midway point normalcy is beginning to take over.
In a crazy road race a week ago in Texas, the heavy favorite, Chase Elliott, emerged as the winner in the rain-shortened event.
As the circuit heads to Charlotte Sunday night for the Coca-Cola 600, The Eckel 4 isn’t looking for a big upset (of course we will provide a longshot pick), instead looking at the four favorites to make the most noise.
Charlotte’s first race came in 1960 when Joe Lee Johnson reached Victory Lane. And it hasn’t seen a repeat winner since Jimmie Johnson went back-to-back from 2003-05. That’s not good news for last year’s winner Brad Keselowski.
Here are the selections of “The 4’’ which as always includes Scott “Tobacco Road’’ Baker, Mike “Left Turn’’ Sweeney and Barry “Dr. NASCAR/MAAC Champion’’ Davis.
Kyle Larson (5-1): Larson is the favorite and here’s why: This is the fifth race on a 1.5 mile track this season and Larson has a win, a second and a fourth though the first four. Third in overall points this season Larson has finished second three straight weeks. This week The Dr. and “Tobacco Road’’ thinks he gets to Victory Lane and “Left Turn’’ is high on him as well.
Kyle Busch (6-1): Busch is second in points on 1.5 mile tracks this year and has finished in the top four in his last three races on those tracks. He’s also had success in this race in Charlotte with a win in 2018, a third in 2019 and a fourth place finish last year. That didn’t get by “Left Turn.’’
Martin Truex (11-2): The New Jersey native has been in the top 10 on all four 1.5 mile tracks this season, won this race in 2019 and finished second in 2018. He knows the track and the distance well. Wait, is this a horse race?
Denny Hamlin (15-2): Better drivers seem to do better on the longer tracks, and Hamlin is still one of the best. The overall points leader is still looking for his first win of the season and we’re going to keep including him until he gets it.
Longshot Plays: Tyler Reddick (40-1); Ryan Blaney (10-1).