It’s always fun to pick the winners for the All-Star race because there’s a ton of talent to choose from. As of this writing, we still don’t know who will win the All-Star Open (or the two stages that buy you a ticket in), or who will nab the fan-favorite vote for that final slot. But I still have a pretty fair idea of who has the best shot at the million-dollar prize. With assumptions all around, here are my Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for this week’s All-Star Race at Texas.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win the All-Star Race and a cool million bucks
Kyle Larson
I’m betting on a three-peat for Kyle Larson. With two wins in a row under his firesuit, this team would love nothing more than to win the All-Star race and a cool million. When you’re hot, you’re hot—and I don’t argue with the heat.
Wins at Texas: 0
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 4
Kevin Harvick
Last time at Texas, Kevin Harvick finished 16th. And that was the first time he finished outside the top-10 since…wait for it…April of 2014. Man, I just can’t sit back and leave him off of this fantasy list just because his last three weeks have been so un-Harvick-like. Let’s see if the No. 4 team has a trick up their sleeve to get a win at the All-Star race.
Wins at Texas: 3
Top-5 finishes: 12
Top-10 finishes: 23
Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch has really shown shades of his old self these past few weeks, and we’re lovin it! Competitive to the end, he was the last driver to win at Texas in 2020 and he’ll probably be the first one to win here in 2021.
Wins at Texas: 4
Top-5 finishes: 14
Top-10 finishes: 17
Bold – These NASCAR drivers are going after that million bucks with gusto
Tyler Reddick
He’s on the pole for the All-Star Open and I think Tyler Reddick will find a way to drive his No. 8 into the All-Star Race. If so, expect him to run with the best of the boys in this elite group. His numbers at Texas are impressive for a second-season Cup Series driver—especially for last July’s race when he finished second. And he’s on a warm-to-hot streak right now, so keep an eye on this team all weekend.
Wins at Texas: 0
Top-5 finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 1
Alex Bowman
Alex Bowman finished in 5th place the last time at Texas—and the fall before that. Unfortunately, his run was ruined by an accident last July. The No. 48 has been heating up in the last several races, and that million-dollar prize might just provide the focus he needs to light a fire down the track on Sunday.
Wins at Texas: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 2
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney has finished inside the top-10 at Texas since 2015 with the exception of one race when his engine overheated. He may be under the radar right now, but if he can get past some of the Brilliant picks, the No.12 is sure to have a run at the million.
Wins at Texas: 0
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 6
Bonkers – These NASCAR drivers are only here for the fun of it
Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski has never been amazing at Texas. In fact, his last two visits here were some of the best he’s had in years. I know that money is a giant motivator, but there are too many drivers who are running too well to give the No. 2 a chance at this one.
Wins at Texas: 0
Top-5 finishes: 5
Top-10 finishes: 10
Ryan Newman
That one win at Texas came waaaaay back in 2003 for Ryan Newman. Since then, it’s been double-digits at best. Newman will be fun to watch, but he’s not likely to make it first to the finish line at the end of the night.
Wins at Texas: 1
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 6
Michael McDowell
Not trying to single him out, but Michael McDowell probably holds the record for the poorest endings in Texas of all the drivers involved on Sunday. While you can’t help but like this guy, you can’t help but notice that his numbers tell an obvious story. He’s never even cracked the top 10. Could he do that with a limited field? Maybe. But number-one of out of the question.
Wins at Texas: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 0
