The Cup Series moves east — to the Atlanta Motor Speedway — for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (3pm ET, FOX). Jordan Bianchi is fresh off a big call last week — suggesting would-be wagerers throw a little bit of money on 66-to-1 long shot (and eventual winner) Chase Briscoe. He and Jeff Gluck are back for this week’s race, which will be surrounded by an air of mystery, as the track has been dug up and repaved since we were last here…
1. Last week, Jordan told us all to bet on 66-1 (and 100-1 at some sportsbooks!) long shot Chase Briscoe… now do it again! Who is a long shot pick you like this week?
Jordan: Um, wow, no pressure or anything. And it’s not like this is a reconfigured track with a radically different layout where we know exactly what to expect. This will be easy to figure out. No problem.
One name that immediately jumps out is Ross Chastain (22-to-1). This is surprisingly long odds for a driver who’s nearly won each of the past two races and whose team, Trackhouse Racing, has brought some of the fastest cars to the track this season. And if Atlanta ends being a superspeedway‐esque race, Chastain has shown he knows how to work the draft to his advantage and find his way to the front.
Jeff: Ha! A driver at 22-1 is your longshot, Jordan? There are so many unknowns for this race that even the favorites are unusually low (9-1). I’ll pick Erik Jones (50-1) because he’s had speed every week, even if the finishes haven’t been there. Plus, if it actually does turn out to be a superspeedway-style race, he knows how to win those.
2. Atlanta Motor Speedway was torn down and repaved since the last Cup Series race here, with some modifications done to curves and banking, and wider asphalt to encourage more passing.