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: Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard
Tom Bowles, Editor-In-Chief: Jeff Gordon.
Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: I’ll take Jimmie Johnson. Based on the way my picks have done this year, he’s now screwed. You’re welcome.
Matt Stallknecht, Senior Editor: Denny Hamlin.
Mark Howell, Senior Writer: My Indy pick is Kyle Busch.
Tony Lumbis, Financial Manager: Going out on a limb with the other Hoosier, Ryan Newman.
Toni Montgomery, Senior Editor: Let’s try Busch again. I’m either going to jinx him yet or make a massive comeback in the office pool. One or the other.
Huston Ladner, Senior Editor: Matt Kenseth.
Matt McLaughlin, Senior Writer: Gonna go outside the box and predict a long-shot win for Gordon at Indy. My guess is Gordon has had this one circled on his calendar since he announced his retirement and NASCAR would dearly love to see him win it. (So yeah, despite my prediction, I’ll be the first to holler it was a setup if Gordon wins.)
Aaron Bearden, Assistant Editor: I’m taking Dale Earnhardt Jr. just because I can.
Greg Davis, Senior Writer: My head says no, but my heart says yes… Have to go with Gordon this week at The ‘Yard in an upset victory.
Jerry Jordan, Contributing Writer: Tony Stewart.
Danny Peters, Senior Writer: I’m going with Jimmie J.
Vito Pugliese, Senior Writer: Joey Logano.
Zach Catanzareti, Contributing Writer: Kurt Busch will find his inner Indy 500 speed and get the win.
Sean Fesko, Contributing Writer: Johnson.
Mike Neff, Senior Editor: Going to keep riding this horse. Don’t forget he’s been second two of the last three years. Give me Kyle Busch.
Joseph Wolkin, Assistant Editor: Kevin Harvick.
Jeff Wolfe, Senior Writer: Going out on a limb and saying Harvick.
Phil Allaway, Senior Editor: I’m going to go with Jamie McMurray for No. 2.
Dan Greene, Webmaster: Not that it’s very likely, but I’d like to see Tony Stewart get his mojo back and win at Indy.
Results: 5-hour Energy 301
Writer | Pick | Finishing Position | Points |
Mike Neff | Kyle Busch | 1st | 5 |
Huston Ladner | Brad Keselowski | 2nd | 3 |
Aaron Bearden | Brad Keselowski | 2nd | 3 |
Greg Davis | Brad Keselowski | 2nd | 3 |
Clayton Caldwell | Brad Keselowski | 2nd | 3 |
Sean Fesko | Kevin Harvick | 3rd | 3 |
Matt Stallknecht | Joey Logano | 4th | 3 |
Mark Howell | Joey Logano | 4th | 3 |
Danny Peters | Joey Logano | 4th | 3 |
Matt McLaughlin | Matt Kenseth | 6th | 1 |
Toni Montgomery | Carl Edwards | 7th | 1 |
Jerry Jordan | Jeff Gordon | 9th | 1 |
Amy Henderson | Kurt Busch | 10th | 1 |
Zach Catanzareti | Aric Almirola | 15th | 0 |
Joseph Wolkin | Kyle Larson | 31st | -2 |
Tony Lumbis | Clint Bowyer | 34th | -2 |
Vito Pugliese | Clint Bowyer | 34th | -2 |
Standings
Writer | Points | Behind | Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 |
Matt Stallknecht | 46 | — | 19 | 7 | 11 | 14 |
Jeff Wolfe | 42 | -4 | 17 | 5 | 11 | 15 |
Mike Neff | 39 | -7 | 17 | 5 | 10 | 12 |
Huston Ladner | 29 | -17 | 18 | 2 | 8 | 13 |
Aaron Bearden | 29 | -17 | 18 | 3 | 9 | 13 |
Matt McLaughlin | 25 | -21 | 18 | 3 | 7 | 9 |
Tom Bowles | 22 | -24 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
Sean Fesko | 22 | -24 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
Brett Winningham | 20 | -26 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
Vito Pugliese | 19 | -27 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 9 |
Amy Henderson | 18 | -28 | 19 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
Danny Peters | 18 | -28 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 10 |
Mark Howell | 14 | -32 | 19 | 0 | 5 | 9 |
Joseph Wolkin | 11 | -35 | 18 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
Zach Catanzareti | 9 | -37 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 8 |
Phil Allaway | 9 | -37 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Greg Davis | 9 | -37 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
Clayton Caldwell | 9 | -37 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Tony Lumbis | 6 | -40 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
Jeff Meyer | 4 | -42 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
S.D. Grady | 4 | -42 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
David Ifeguni | 3 | -43 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Toni Montgomery | 3 | -43 | 19 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
Jerry Jordan | 1 | -45 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
About the author
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.
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