AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 (Texas) NASCAR Preview and Fantasy Predictions

The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs roll to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500. The first race on the Cup calendar at TMS was in 1997. That weekend, the qualifying had to be postponed because of water seeping through the racetrack. Thirteen cars crashed on first turn of the very first lap.

The All-Star Race at Texas was won by Ryan Blaney. Texas has a reputation for being difficult to race on. The track surface has been treated to create more than one lane for the cars to compete in. The championship race is going to be won on Sunday. There are 12 drivers left in the championship, including three former champions. All four entries from Hendrick Motorsports and three from Team Penske are still in it. Denny Hamlin is the only one of them to have won the title. He is also the last of the three-time Daytona 500 winner.

Chris Buescher won the race at Bristol. It was the first victory for RFK Racing, which is owned by Brad Keselowski. He was in contention for the victory himself, leading 109 laps.

Kyle Busch has had a terrible season with Joe Gibbs Racing. He was disqualified at Pocono in July and has four DNFs in the last nine races. Richard Childress Racing went 0-for-2 in playoffs with Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick. Kevin Harvick was the fourth driver to fail to advance.

Team Penske is appealing a four-race suspension to Ryan Blaney's pit crew. Denny Hamlin will have a new pit team this weekend at Texas. McLaren Racing is considering a fourth entry for Kyle Busch in the Indy 500 next year.

6 drivers have led more than 500 laps this season through 29 races. Only four drivers led 500 or more laps during a full season in 2021. Chris Buescher won at Pocono Raceway in his 27th career Cup start back in 2016.

Kyle Larson is the defending champion and last year's winner. Brad Keselowski is starting first. Richard Childress Racing has had success in Texas in the past. Tyler Reddick and Austin Dillon qualified in top 7. Ryan Blaney is still winless this season. Daniel Hemric finished outside the top 15 in 2019.

Michael McDowell qualified fifth for the NASCAR race at Texas. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. crashed in three out of his last four Texas races. He ran 12th in the last race.

Kyle Larson is the favorite for the NASCAR race at Texas. Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe are also in the top five.

Kyle Larson will win the Texas 500.