After the thrilling 2021 Daytona 500, which was won by Michael McDowell, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series kicks into higher gear with a road course race this coming Sunday, still in Daytona Beach. Check out some of the favorites, sleepers, and a long shot for the upcoming O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 race.
It’s a no-brainer that Elliott is among the favorites to win next Sunday’s race. Elliott has been fantastic in road courses so far in his career. Apart from finishing second at the 2021 Daytona 500 last week, Elliott also had four consecutive wins in road course races from 2019 to 2020. In eight career starts on road courses, Elliott has five wins, six top 5s, and seven top 10s, while also owning a 6.50 average finish. Elliott won the NASCAR Cup Series championship last year after copping five wins in the regular season.
Truex failed yet again in his bid to win his first Daytona 500 after finishing just 25th overall in last Sunday’s race. But that still shouldn’t hide the fact that he’s one of the best road course drivers around. In fact, his career average finish of 4.63 on road courses is the best among all active drivers. Truex has finished seventh or better in six of his last seven appearances on a road course.
Blaney is another one of those consistent drivers on road courses. He owns a 12.38 average finish on such tracks in eight races, while also having four top 5s. That includes his lone road course win so far in his NASCAR Cup Series career, which was when he topped the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course back in 2018.
Briscoe is competing in his first year in the NASCAR Cup Series. He was chosen by Stewart-Haas Racing as the replacement for Clint Bowyer. He made his NASCAR Cup Series debut by finishing 19th at the 2021 Daytona 500. The rookie carries little expectations, and that means he can drive without the same pressure of his more-accomplished competitors.
Almirola has eight career appearances at road course events and in those races, he has managed to have an average finish of 15.5. Of those races, Almirola finished inside the top 10 twice. Almirola also win the Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 at Daytona just days prior to the 2021 Daytona 500.
Newman got involved in a huge crash early in the 2021 Daytona 500, which was frustrating to say the least for the Team Roush Frenway Racing driver, especially when you consider his scary crash in last year’s edition of the Great American Race. In 21 career races on road courses, Newman has made it inside the top 10 just once with only four top 20s.
Writer’s Prediction
Martin Truex Jr. wins 2021 O’Reilly Auto Parts 253.
