NASCAR Atlanta predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race

[ASFN Admin]

The NASCAR Cup Series makes its second trip of the season to EchoPark Speedway in Georgia for the Quaker State 400 on July 12.

Tyler Reddick won in February at Atlanta as a part of his run of victories to start the season despite damage to his race car.

Reddick's season has started to hit some friction with four finishes of 30th or worse over the last five races.

Denny Hamlin has built a 44-point lead in the points standings with seven regular-season races remaining.

Here are The Tennessean's expert picks for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway:

CUP POINTS: NASCAR points standings: Cup Series points update after Chicagoland race

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Mike Organ's pick: Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet​

He hasn't done it since 2022, but I'm picking Chase Elliott to get his third win this season by winning at his home track. He won at Martinsville and Texas this season before finishing outside the top-10 in seven of the last eight races. Elliott is due.

Nick Gray's pick: William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet​

Byron is a former winner at this version of Atlanta and is running well. EchoPark Speedway has been a boom-or-bust place for Byron, and he'll be up front late with some crash luck.

Tom Kreager's pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota​

The Toyotas are the fastest in the field and Denny Hamlin is the fastest driver in a Toyota right now. And unlike his 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick, Hamlin hasn't had much bad luck lately.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Atlanta predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race

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