Jockey Made in America 250, Elkhart Lake, Wisc. 2:30 p.m. TV: NBC
NASCAR returns to Wisconsin for the Made in America 250 for the first time since 1956 with all kinds of story lines.
Kyle Larson, who cooled off just a bit at Pocono, is challenging Denny Hamlin for the overall points lead. As race 20 takes place Sunday Larson (759) trails Hamlin (761), who has led all season, by just two points.
Larson has finished first, or second, in seven of the last eight races to make up ground on Hamlin, who has 10 top-5 finishes and 13 top-10 finishes, but has yet to hit Victory Lane.
Two other drivers to keep an eye on as the playoffs draw near are Kurt Busch, who has moved into the top 16 to qualify for the playoffs, but has just a three-point lead on Chris Buescher for what might be the final playoff spot. Busch has finished in the top 10 in three of his last four races to make the move up.
Here’s the way The Eckel 4, which as always includes Scott “Tobacco Road’’ Baker, Mike “Left Turn’’ Sweeney and Barry “Dr. NASCAR’’ Davis see Sunday’s race.
Chase Elliott (2-1): Elliott has cooled off after a great start to the season, but didn’t stop three of The 4 from listing him this week and “Tobacco Road’’ and “Doc’’ putting him on top. He’s has proven time and again to be the best road course driver. But those odds are rather short.
Kyle Busch (8-1): If you’re looking for a little bit of a price, red-hot Rowdy might be your guy. Busch of late is racing as well as he has since winning the 2019 Cup. The lone non-Elliott selector thinks Busch can steal this and “Tobacco Road’’ thinks he’ll be in the mix. But the latter is no surprise.
Kyle Larson (3-1): Again the odds are short, but that didn’t stop “Left Turn’’ from going with the driver who appears to be the favorite to win the 2021 Cup to win this road event.
Martin Truex Jr. (7-1): Not one of The 4 picked the New Jersey native to come on top Sunday, but three of The 4 picked him to finish second. Interesting to say the least.
Longshot Plays: Kurt Busch (33-1); Austin Cindric (40-1); A.J. Almendinger (25-1).