The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Music City this weekend for the Ally 400 at the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday afternoon.
This will be the fourth time the D-shaped track will host a NASCAR Cup Series race, with Ross Chastain returning as the defending champion.
Interestingly enough, Nashville boasts the longest concrete surface track on the Cup schedule, meaning the car’s setup will be crucial for success.
And with only eight races to go before the playoffs begin, every lap matters.
Oh, and a Chevy has won every Nashville Cup race.
So, who will drive to Victory Lane this year in Music City?
takes a look at the drivers to watch in Sunday’s Ally 400 from Nashville Superspeedway (3:30 p.m.; NBC).
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Pick to win Ally 400: Kyle Larson (+450)
Larson, the driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy, won the inaugural Nashville Cup race in 2021, and has never finished worse than fifth.
He is currently one of four drivers with three victories this season; and currently leads the series in points, racking up eight top-5 finishes in 17 races.
Nashville NASCAR Top-5 Pick: Ross Chastain (+110)
Chastain, the driver of the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevy, won last year’s race and has also never finished outside the top 5 at the 1.33-mile track.
He was second to Larson in 2021 and then fifth in 2022.
Chastain is still looking for his first win of the season. He has seven top-10s, including two top-5 finishes through 18 races in 2024.
Ally 400 longshot pick: Kyle Busch (+3500)
Yes, Busch, the driver of the No. 8 Richard Childress Chevy, is struggling this year … perhaps worse than any other season.
But, he’s still one of the best drivers in the series. And has had success in Nashville.
Busch finished ninth last season and 11th in 2021 after taking Position 2 in qualifying that year. He’s also led 76 laps there and has an average finish of 13.7.
And at those odds … who knows?
Odds-on favorites to win NASCAR’s Ally 400 in Nashville
Kyle Larson +425
Denny Hamlin +525
Christopher Bell +650
Martin Truex Jr. +750
Ross Chastain +850
Chase Elliott +900
William Byron +1000
Ryan Blaney +1100
Tyler Reddick +1100
Joey Logano +2000
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for . Szvetitz is a 24-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.