Welcome to our eighth year of staff predictions! Each week, our experts attempt to tell you who the winner of each Cup race will be. Take a look to see who your favorite writers think will win it all (or at least score some points) this week!
Think you can out-prognosticate our staff? Leave your picks in the comments and see how they stack up!
Prediction Scoring
+5 – Win
+3 – Top 5
+1 – Top 10
0 – 11th-20th
-1 – 21st-30th
-2 – 31st-40th
-3 – 41st-43rd
This week’s predictions: Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500
S.D. Grady, Senior Writer: Voting for Jeff Gordon. A fast, handling track…
Amy Henderson, Managing Editor: I’m going with Jeff Gordon. Provided nobody tries to audition for Wreck-It Ralph using his car again this week he should have a good showing.
Jeff Wolfe, Senior Writer: Kevin Harvick.
Matt Stallknecht, Senior Editor: I’ll take Brad Keselowski.
Mark Howell, Senior Writer: “Bad Brad” will win the Battle of Atlanta.
Joseph Wolkin, Senior Writer: I’m going with Carl Edwards to get a win at the track where he won his first career Cup and XFINITY races.
Aaron Bearden, Contributing Writer: My pick’s Kyle Larson. He didn’t have the Daytona experience he was expecting, but Atlanta offers a chance to get started with the rest of the season. Ganassi looks fast, and I expect that to last through Sunday.
Greg Davis, Senior Writer: Denny Hamlin (sticking with my all- Joe Gibbs Racing predictioins, also he had a win here in the last 3 attempts).
Vito Pugliese, Senior Writer: For Atlanta, Matt Kenseth.
Danny Peters, Senior Writer: My vote is Jimmie Johnson. It’s been an age since he won.
Sean Fesko, Contributing Writer: Carl Edwards.
Brett Winningham, Contributing Writer: Brad Keselowski will be my pick.
Jeff Meyer, Senior Writer: Picking Carl again. 1st win in Atlanta and now will be 1st Atlanta win with a new team!
Tony Lumbis, Financial Manager: I’ll go with Greg Biffle. I’m taking a chance that Roush Fenway has its act together again at the mile and a half tracks.
Zach Catanzaretti, Contributing Writer: Happy Harvick.
Toni Montgomery, Senior Editor: I will also be going with Kevin Harvick.
Clayton Caldwell, Contributing Writer: Kasey Kahne.
Huston Ladner, Senior Editor: Dale Jr.
Mike Neff, Short Track Coordinator: Please give me Matt Kenseth for the win.
Phil Allaway, Senior Editor: Matt Kenseth. I think he’ll break his winless streak whenever the race actually runs.
Daytona 500
Writer | Pick | Finishing Position | Points |
Matt Stallknecht | Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | 3rd | 3 |
Mike Neff | Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | 3rd | 3 |
Toni Montgomery | Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | 3rd | 3 |
David Ifeguni | Dale Earnhardt, Jr | 3rd | 3 |
Tony Lumbis | Denny Hamlin | 4th | 3 |
Amy Henderson | Casey Mears | 6th | 1 |
Sean Fesko | Martin Truex, Jr. | 8th | 1 |
Brett Winningham | Martin Truex, Jr. | 8th | 1 |
Zach Catanzaretti | Martin Truex, Jr. | 8th | 1 |
Greg Davis | Carl Edwards | 23rd | -1 |
Vito Pugliese | Carl Edwards | 23rd | -1 |
Jeff Meyer | Carl Edwards | 23rd | -1 |
Danny Peters | Jeff Gordon | 33rd | -2 |
Tom Bowles | Matt Kenseth | 35th | -2 |
Mark Howell | Matt Kenseth | 35th | -2 |
Clayton Caldwell | Matt Kenseth | 35th | -2 |
Joseph Wolkin | Brad Keselowski | 41st | -3 |
Jeff Wolfe | Tony Stewart | 42nd | -3 |
Matt McLaughlin | Tony Stewart | 42nd | -3 |
Aaron Bearden | Tony Stewart | 42nd | -3 |
Standings
Writer | Points | Behind | Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 |
Matt Stallknecht | 3 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Mike Neff | 3 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Toni Montgomery | 3 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
David Ifeguni | 3 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Tony Lumbis | 3 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Amy Henderson | 1 | -2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Sean Fesko | 1 | -2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Brett Winningham | 1 | -2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Zach Catanzaretti | 1 | -2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Greg Davis | -1 | -4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Vito Pugliese | -1 | -4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jeff Meyer | -1 | -4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Danny Peters | -2 | -5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tom Bowles | -2 | -5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mark Howell | -2 | -5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Clayton Caldwell | -2 | -5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Joseph Wolkin | -3 | -6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jeff Wolfe | -3 | -6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Matt McLaughlin | -3 | -6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Aaron Bearden | -3 | -6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Frontstretch Staff is made up of a group of talented men and women spread out all over the United States and Canada. Residing in 15 states throughout the country, plus Ontario, and widely ranging in age, the staff showcases a wide variety of diverse opinions that will keep you coming back for more week in and week out.