This will be the 3rd ever race on this track so there’s not much history or trends to witness here. The inaugural race in 2021 was run in the rain. Last year’s in the clear skies but a new car. This year, we have the second year of this new Next Gen model but this being the first road course event of the season, how much does the 2022 package work in 2023?

Last year, starting spots on road courses didn’t matter. The starting spots of the eventual winners were: 16th (COTA), 8th (Sonoma), 4th (Road America), 1st (Indy), 2nd (Watkins Glen) and 8th (Charlotte ROVAL).

So, who wins on Sunday?

Top 5 Prediction

1. 45 Reddick – He’s just been so good on road courses and stout this weekend. Quickest in practice, track record in qualifying, front row starting spot.
2. 16 Allmendinger – 13 of his 18 career Cup and Xfinity Series wins came on road courses including last year’s NXS race at COTA. He also won Indy last in 2021, was in the top 3 on the final lap in COTA last year, was in the top 10 late in the race at Sonoma last year, finished 9th in Road America, 7th at Indy again last July and runner-up at Watkins Glen. He starts 7th.
3. 1 Chastain – Top 5 in practice. 12th in qualifying. Defending race winner…
4. 8 Busch – He was 10th in 2021 but 28th last year. However, he’s not a bad road racer and inherits a car that had two wins and five top eight finishes in six road course events from 2022. Busch also won an offseason race on this very track in a endurance event for RCR as well. He starts ninth.
5. 99 Suarez – Led every lap in Stage 1 last year, won in Sonoma, was also 5th in Road America, lined up 5th on the final restart in Indy and finished 5th in Watkins Glen. He was fifth quickest in practice and fifth in qualifying.