The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Texas for the Wurth 400 on May 3 at the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway.
Toyota has won each of the first two traditional 1.5-mile oval races this year.
Carson Hocevar won last week at Talladega for win No. 1 in his Cup Series career.
Here are The Tennessean's expert picks for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas:
WEEKEND SCHEDULE: NASCAR Texas full weekend track schedule, TV schedule for the Wurth 400, other races
NASCAR predictions for Texas Cup Series race: Here's who wins the Wurth 400
Mike Organ's pick: Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Bell has been good at Texas in the past and is due a breakthrough win in 2026. He’s battle bad luck after winning five times in 2025 (including three straight early in the year).
Nick Gray's pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Hamlin is the favorite at 1.5-mile ovals until further notice after his start of the season.
Tom Kreager's pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Team Chevy hasn't figured out the new model yet. Ford drivers haven't found their groove. What's left? Toyota. And right now Denny Hamlin is best at Texas among Toyota drivers. He has three Cup wins at Texas Motor Speedway.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Texas predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race
