Quaker State 400, Atlanta, 3:30 p.m. TV: NBCSN
NASCAR heads to the ATL for the second time this season. It’s the first time Atlanta has had two races in the same season since 2010 after having two every year between 1960 and 2010.
Ryan Blaney won the first race this season back in March becoming the fifth consecutive driver of a Ford to win in Atlanta.
Can Blaney, at odds of 10-1, sweep Atlanta this season and make it six straight for Ford? Or will Chase Elliott, who will start on the pole, be the first Georgia native to win in Atlanta since his father Bill did so five times?
Is this the week either last year’s point champion Kevin Harvick or this year’s points leader Denny Hamlin finally gets to the Victory Lane? Or is odds-on-favorite Kyle Larson, at 2-1, ready to continue his brilliant season?
All those questions will be answered soon enough. Here’s how The Eckel 4, which as always consists of Scott “Tobacco Road’’ Baker, Mike “Left Turn’’ Sweeney and Barry “Dr. NASCAR’’ Davis see the race unfolding.
Kyle Busch (7-1): All of “The 4’’ mentioned Busch, with “Left Turn’’ putting him on top. Busch has been hot of late finishing third, first and second in the last three races. He’s also had his share of success in Atlanta and had a top 5 earlier this season. At those odds he’s not a bad choice.
Kyle Larson (2-1): Again, he has very short odds, but again he looks to be the driver to beat. Three of “The 4’’ mentioned Larson with “Tobacco Road’’ making him his top choice. Larson finished second in Atlanta earlier this year, one his five seconds to go with his five wins.
William Byron (12-1): If you’re looking for a price this could be your guy. On the five 1.5 mile courses this season, Byron has finished in the top 10 all five times, including an eight-place finish in Atlanta. Throw out the road races and he’s been as consistent as anyone not named Larson all year.
Kevin Harvick (9-1): The Dr. still has faith in last year’s point champion, even if everyone else has bailed on Harvick. Doc put him on top this week, maybe he knows something, or maybe he forgot what year it was. We’ll see.