NASCAR Charlotte predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race

[Mickey the Mouth]

The NASCAR Cup Series will race in the season's longest race with heavy hearts after the death of Kyle Busch.

The Coca-Cola 600 includes four stages and 600 miles in total on May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, weather permitting.

Ross Chastain is the defending race winner.

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

NASCAR predictions for Charlotte Cup Series race: Here's who wins the Coca-Cola 600​

Mike Organ's pick: William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet​

Byron is due at Charlotte. After winning the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Charlotte in 2025, Byron led for 283 laps and swept all three stages in the Coca-Cola 600 Cup Series race before finishing second. He will close the deal this weekend.

Nick Gray's pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota​

Hamlin's traditional 1.5-mile track finishes this year: 1st, 4th and 2nd. Another stat: Hamlin has led a series-high 624 laps this season and is on pace for a career-high. It would be a very emotional victory lane.

Tom Kreager's pick: Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford​

Ryan Blaney needs a win, as does Ford. But it's going to take 600 miles to get it.

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

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