The NASCAR Cup Collection is again this weekend with groups headed to the long-lasting Bristol Motor Speedway. Two weeks to arrange for the Meals Metropolis 500 supplied drivers with time to each chill out and get in additional sim time, so we count on some nice racing this weekend.
Let’s dive into our NASCAR predictions at Bristol for the Meals Metropolis 500.
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Denny Hamlin Wins the Pole at Bristol
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and the No. 11 crew have certified no worse than eighth at Bristol Motor Speedway in eight races since 2020. Nevertheless, he hasn’t gained the pole right here since 2019 and he’s executed it simply twice since 2015. Joe Gibbs Racing had the No. 11 designed completely two weeks in the past at Martinsville, demonstrated by the automobile successful the pole, posting the quickest lap, taking each levels, and dominating a majority of the race. We expect the setup at Bristol might be equally as efficient, with Hamlin incomes the pole place at Bristol for Sunday’s race.
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Kyle Larson Wins Stage 1
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Final April at Bristol Motor Speedway, wiped the sector with two stage wins, the quickest lap, and a victory with 411 laps led. Perhaps we gained’t see that very same stage of ownage by the No. 5 automobile this weekend within the Meals Metropolis 500, however Larson will report his first stage win of the season. That is additionally sort of one thing he and Hendrick Motorsports want, given he’s tied for ninth in factors proper now. Larson will take Stage 1 early on Sunday afternoon; it’ll be simply the beginning of an excellent factors day for him.
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Christopher Bell Wins Stage 2
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We expect there’ll be an excellent back-and-forth between a number of of one of the best NASCAR drivers all through the Meals Metropolis 500. Larson will get a Stage 1 win and, due to some points on pit street by the No. 11 crew, takes benefit by beating Hamlin and Larson for the Stage 2 win. He’ll end top-five in each levels, securing himself 16-plus stage factors, and he’ll end sturdy to return out of the weekend top-three in factors accrued throughout Sunday’s race.
Ty Gibbs Stays Scorching
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definitely isn’t some of the well-liked NASCAR drivers proper now, however you possibly can’t deny the success he’s had these days. He entered the off-week with 5 consecutive top-six finishes, averaging 41 factors per race throughout that five-race span. He’s not making the errors of the previous, the place he’d waste the good gear, crew, and setup he’s working with. Now, Gibbs heads to a observe at Bristol Motor Speedway the place he boasts an 8.4 common ending place within the final 5 races, together with a third-place end within the spring race final 12 months. We expect Gibbs could make it six consecutive top-five finishes.
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Meals Metropolis 500 Winner: Denny Hamlin
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Whereas Denny Hamlin hasn’t been fairly as nice as Tyler Reddick this season, his prime driver at 23XI Racing struggles on these brief tracks. Hamlin simply had one of the best automobile at Martinsville and would’ve maxed out on factors and a win if not for a free tire after his remaining pit cease that impacted the automobile’s potential to catch as much as Chase Elliott. We predicted earlier {that a} minor pit-stop situation will forestall Hamlin from taking Stage 2, however the crew might be flawless after that. In a battle of Hamlin, Larson, and Bell, the 2 teammates assist each other out after which Hamlin edges out Bell for the Meals Metropolis 500 win.
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