Indianapolis Preview

By Nate Ryan

It’s the largest jackpot yet as NASCAR sets its 16-driver field for the Monster Energy Cup Series championship in the regular-season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With $40,000 at stake for Predictor players, here are my picks:

STAGES

First stage (Kurt Busch, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Joey Logano):

PICK: Erik Jones. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver stays hot off his Southern 500 victory.

Second stage (Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr.):

PICK: Kyle Busch. The regular-season champion seems to have escaped his recent slump.

Third stage (Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Newman)

PICK: Clint Bowyer. He’ll be the best of the bubble drivers at The Brickyard.

Top 3 Overall:

1. Kyle Larson: The Chip Ganassi Racing driver finally breaks through to end a 2-year winless drought.

2. Kyle Busch: Always a prime factor at the Brickyard

3. Kurt Busch: Ganassi teammates charge into the playoffs.