NASCAR All-Star Open Picks, Odds & Predictions 5/21/2023

North Wilkesboro Speedway

North Wilkesboro, NC

This weekend, NASCAR will hold its yearly NASCAR All-Star Open while taking a break from the regular season schedule. Texas Motor Speedway had previously been the location for the All-Star race for two straight seasons, but now that the track in North Wilkesboro has been restored, NASCAR will have the race there. Over the past year, there has been millions of dollars spent to renovate this track and bring it back to life. This course has a rich history, and it will be fun to watch this race on this track.

This track is an oval that spans 5/8 of a mile. The 14-degree banking in the corners will offer viewers some of the most exciting short track racing that can be found on the NASCAR circuit. From 1949 to 1996, this speedway hosted the top division of NASCAR and had many legends take the checkered flag on this special track. This legendary oval will hopefully revive some of the past history that has unfolded here in North Wilkesboro.

This weekend will be split up into numerous events for the fans' viewing pleasure. Two qualifying heats will kick off Saturday night with each running 60 laps to put the starting grid in place when racing starts on Sunday. Following this on Sunday night is a 100-lap sprint race and that is divided into two segments where 40 laps and then 60 will be raced. Up to three Open drivers can move on to the All-Star race. In order to qualify for the Open, a driver must have finished in the Top 50 of the Cup Series standings last season, competed in a Cup Series race this season, or attempted to qualify for the Daytona 500. This will be a fun one, because the winner and runner up are generally not drivers you'd see winning a race during the season.

Goodyear 400 Recap

Taking advantage of a late race incident between Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain, William Byron was able to capture his third win of the season in Darlington. This was a bit of a redemption race for Byron when Joey Logano denied Byron his first win at the 'Lady in Black'. The wreck between Larson and Chastain happened on Lap 288 when Chastain led the field out of an eight-car wreck that happened on Lap 281. Chastain drove tough into Turn 1 making him go far up the track into Larson. Chastain messed up and he admitted it. It might have cost him or Larson the win and Byron was happy to be the car to slide into the first spot and into Victory Lane.

NASCAR Playoff Standings

With his third win of the season, William Byron put himself in a great position heading deeper into the season. He currently sits with 387 points while both Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch follow up Byron with two wins each with 363 points for Larson and 353 for Busch. Filling out the top 5 is Christopher Bell with 402 points and Denny Hamlin with 393 points. Both of those drivers have one win each. In total, there are nine drivers with a win this season so there is plenty of room for another driver to grab his playoff spot.

NASCAR All-Star Open Odds

Kyle Larson - +650
Kevin Harvick - +750
Joey Logano - +900
Christopher Bell - +900
William Byron - +1,000
Martin Truex Jr. - +1,000
Denny Hamlin - +1,100
Ross Chastain - +1,200
Chase Elliott - +1,400
Kyle Busch - +1,600
Ryan Blaney - +1,800
Tyler Reddick - +2,500
Chase Briscoe - +2,800
Bubba Wallace - +2,800
Brad Keselowski - +2,800
Daniel Suarez - +3,500
Chris Buescher - +3,500
Austin Dillon - +4,500
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - +6,500
Erik Jones - +6,500
Austin Cindric - +6,500

Kyle Larson is a two-time winner of the All-Star race and has done very well in these exhibition races. While drivers like Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano have a great shot, we're once again going to Larson to win.

Guy's Pick: Take Kyle Larson (+650)

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