2021 Quaker State 400: NASCAR CUP Preview, Odds, Picks, Longshots
Photo by Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Quaker State 400
Sunday July 11 , 2021 3:30pm
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NASCAR Cup Series will make the 2nd and final visit of 2021 to the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon for the Quaker State 400. Sunday also marks the final time the Cup Series will race on the current configuration and old pavement in Atlanta as Speedway Motorsports just made the announcement of upcoming changes to the track. Atlanta is a 1.5-mile oval with wide turns and multiple racing groves. Tire wear is extreme at Atlanta and expect multiple pitstops on Sunday afternoon.
Here are 5 drivers to consider for the Quaker State 400.
Kyle Larson +200- Larson comes into Sunday’s race starting from the 6th position. Larson led 269 of the 325 laps in the first race at Atlanta for the Cup Series only to fall to 2nd late in the race after the handling went away with the tires wearing down. Nice opportunity on Sunday for Larson to get back on the winning track as he blew the field away at the first Cup race in in March. Larson has 3 wins on 1.5-mile ovals in the Cup Series on the season and had the best green flag speed at Atlanta in the previous race, big favorite here to bounce back.
Kyle Busch +800- Kyle will roll off from the 2nd position on Sunday afternoon out at the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Quaker State 400. Over the last 6 races at Atlanta in the Cup Series, Busch has 4 top 10 finishes including 2 top 5 finishes. Kyle had the 3rd best green flag speed in March at the Quik Trip 500 at Atlanta in the Cup Series with the 5th place finish. Kyle will be participating in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Atlanta and will have some seat time heading into Sunday look for Kyle to have a great day with great starting track position on Sunday.
Denny Hamlin +1000- Denny will share the 2nd row with Christopher Bell and will start from the 3rd spot for Sunday’s Quaker State 400. Denny has the 4th best average finish over the last 4 Cup Series races held at Atlanta and the 5th best average driver rating of 103.3. Denny finished 4th in March at the Cup Series Quik Trip 500 at Atlanta with the 4th best green flag speed. Denny has yet to pick up a win on the 2021 Cup Series circuit and Sunday might just be the spot to claim first victory of the season.
Ryan Blaney +1200- Blaney fires off from the 15th starting spot on Sunday afternoon for the Quaker State 400. Blaney took the lead from Kyle Larson on lap 317 of 325 to win the Quik Trip 500 at Atlanta for the Cup Series back in March. Over the last 4 Cup Series races at Atlanta, Blaney has 2 top 10s along with the victory in March and the 6th best average finish of 9.75. Atlanta Motor Speedway fits the style Ryan races very well, great dark horse pick from Sunday afternoon.
Alex Bowman +1500- Bowman will take the green flag from the 17th starting spot for the Quaker State 400 on Saturday afternoon. Track position will be somewhat challenging for Bowman did well in March at Atlanta after starting 14th and finishing 3rd. Bowman had the 5th best green flag speed at the first Cup race in Atlanta in March. Bowman has 3 wins on the season and 10 top 10 finishes. Hendrick Motorsports continues the momentum and nice longer shot price on Bowman for Saturday’s Quaker State 400.
Jeff’s Pick Denny Hamlin +1000
AUTHOR: Jeff Jeter
Mitch's Take...
