​There are two NASCAR tracks on the schedule this weekend. The ARCA Menards Series and Craftsman Truck Series head to Lime Rock Park for road course action, while the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway, which provides a contrasting super speedway style. With these differing racing formats, only a few drivers stand out as favorites.
ARCA Menards Series – Lime Rock Park ARCA 100
For me, the clear favorite in the 68-lap Lime Rock Park race is Thomas Annunziata. Annunziata has established himself as a road-course expert long before joining the ARCA Menards Series. He drove a Mazda MX-5 for Nitro Motorsports in the Trans Am Series in 2023, earning the distinction of being the only rookie to claim both a pole and a win. He also won at Lime Rock Park last season in the ARCA Menards Series. Carson Brown and Isabella Robusto could also be contenders, given their recent top-10 finishes at road courses. Keep an eye on Tristan McKee as well. Prediction: Thomas Annunziata.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series – Liuna 150 At Lime Rock Park
The Truck Series is expected to deliver exciting road-course racing this weekend. Thomas Annunziata will pilot the No. 1 TRICON Garage truck, adding to his status as a favorite in the ARCA Menards Series. Layne Riggs has won back-to-back road-course races in the trucks. Kaden Honeycutt has already claimed a road-course victory at Watkins Glen and probably should have won at the San Diego Naval Base event. Louis Foster, coming from the IndyCar nests, is making his Truck Series debut. With many drivers bringing road-course experience to the field, the race should be competitive. I expect Kaden Honeycutt to be eager to avenge his mistakes at San Diego and to fend off Layne Riggs. Prediction: Kaden Honeycutt.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series – Focused Health 250
Austin Hill typically emerges as the favorite on super-speedway-style tracks, drawing on 11 of his 16 O’Reilly Series wins at drafting-style courses. He has claimed three wins at EchoPark Speedway and was close to a fourth in February. However, the unpredictable nature of these tracks means others could break through. Since February, Parker Retzlaff has posted the most Top 15 finishes in the series this season and finished second in February’s event, signaling he could be in the mix. If Hill is near the front late in the race, he will be a strong threat to win. If he遭遇 a wreck or another problem, keep an eye on Jake Finch in the No. 9 car as a potential podium finisher. Prediction: Austin Hill.
Cup Series – Quaker State 400 Available At Walmart
The Cup Series has torqued up some wild finishes at EchoPark Speedway, making winners hard to predict. Carson Hocevar is consistently among the frontrunners at super-speedway events, often challenging for the win as the race winds down. The track’s drafting dynamics tend to shift late, so who ends up in victory lane can hinge on pit strategy, late cautions, and line choices. Since this event tends to favor drivers who can navigate the pack and stay with the leaders through the closing laps, Hocevar remains a logical candidate to contend for the win, though the field will be full of challengers ready to pounce.