The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series continues this week, as the Cup returns to Road America for the first time since 1956. It’s only fitting that this race will happen the same day as Independence Day. Who will take home the win? Check out some of the favorites, sleepers, and a long shot for the 2021 Jockey Made in America 250.
Elliott seems to have cooled down after a terrific stretch of seven consecutive top 10s from May to June. Over his last three races, Elliott has had a 39th-place finish and a 27th-place showing. Sandwiched in between was 12th place in Pocono 325. Even with his recent struggles, Elliott is deemed among the hotshots for the upcoming race on Independence Day, given his success on road courses. Since February 2018, Elliott has six wins and eight top 5s in 11 road course races. Back in June 2021, he came in second to Kyle Larson in the Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.
Speaking of Larson, we can’t just ignore the name when talking about the favorites. Larson leads the field this season with four points to go with 759 points. Including the All-Star Race, Larson has not finished outside of the top 9 in any of his last nine races. He’s been on a roll, to say the least. In his last race, he finished runner-up to Kyle Busch in the Explore the Pocono Mountains 350. Dating back to February 2018, Larson has a win and six top 10s in nine road course NASCAR Cup Series races.
After finishing 22nd in the 2021 ALly 400 and 18th in the 2021 Pocono Organics CBD 325, Truex has turned heads again with a much-improved finish of 11th in the 2021 Explore the Pocono Mountains 350. That’s a nice momentum builder for Truex, heading to Wisconsin. He has two wins in 11 road course starts since February 2019.
Jones is coming off another forgettable race, as he finished just 31st in the 2021 Explore the Pocono Mountains 350 at Pocono Raceway last Sunday. Still, don’t count him entirely out of the 2021 Jockey Made in America 250 race, as Jones has cracked the top 15 in five of his last six starts on a road course.
Buescher is currently ranked 17th in the NASCAR Cup Standings, which means he’s still very much in contention for a playoff spot. He can get a boost this weekend in Wisconsin, as he’s been a decent road course driver. He has 13 top 20s in 16 career starts on a road course. Moreover, he’s placed 16th or better in each of his past four road course appearances.
Houff only has 89 points on the season and has yet to even crack the top 10 this season across 19 starts. He also owns a career average finish of 34.20 in five career starts on a road course.
Writer’s Prediction
Martin Truex Jr. wins the 2021 Jockey Made in America 250.
