As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway today, fans and analysts alike are locking in their predictions—and one bold pick stands out. Austin Cindric, driving the No. 2 car for Team Penske, is the top choice to take the checkered flag in what’s expected to be a strategic and fast-paced race.
Cindric has shown flashes of speed this season, and the wide, sweeping turns of Texas could play to his strengths. If he can stay clean through the race’s multiple stages and capitalize on track position, a win isn’t out of the question.
Backing up that pick, today’s top-five prediction includes a blend of rising stars and seasoned veterans: Cindric, Alex Bowman, Ty Gibbs, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano. Bowman has been quietly consistent, while Gibbs continues to impress in his sophomore campaign. Larson and Logano are perennial contenders, both with past success at intermediate tracks.
A potential dark horse to watch is Michael McDowell. While not a regular fixture at the front on 1.5-mile tracks, McDowell has delivered surprise performances before. If pit strategy and late-race cautions shake things up, he could find himself in the mix.
The broadcast kicks off on FS1 with NASCAR RaceDay at 2 p.m. ET, setting the stage for the green flag at approximately 3:43 p.m. The race will run in three stages (80-85-102 laps), with teams managing nine sets of tires and fuel windows ranging from 62 to 68 laps. Tire management and pit strategy will be crucial under Texas’s abrasive surface and high-speed conditions.
Stay tuned as the drama unfolds deep in the heart of Texas—where every lap counts and underdogs might just shine.
