For a second straight week in Virginia, NASCAR fans left disappointed following the conclusion of the race. The short-track package once again showcased a lack of ability to pass. The Hendrick Motorsports cars were the class of the field for much of the day at Martinsville and William Byron found his way to Victory Lane for the third time this season. Now NASCAR heads to Texas Motor Speedway for the 2024 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive – back on an intermediate circuit where these cars tend to produce excellent racing.
Will Byron collect yet another win or can someone new rise through the field and take the checkered flag? We’ll find out on Sunday as Apollo Motorsports makes it to their first race of the season.
2024 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Entry List
Notably for Sunday, the entry list includes seven-time NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson in the #84 car for Legacy Motor Club. Johnson’s last start was the Daytona 500 in February. Xfinity regular Austin Hill will be in the #33 for Richard Childress Racing while Ty Dillon pilots the #16 for Kaulig Racing. The rest of the field remains largely unchanged.
While the NextGen Car tends to produce excellent racing on intermediate tracks, Texas Motor Speedway’s current configuration has struggled. A repave in turns one and two that decreased the banking from 24 degrees to 20 degrees ultimately hindered the ability for cars to run side-by-side on that end of the track.
Ain't no tread on these, y'all. 🛞💨 #NoLimits pic.twitter.com/eqnG5RSWON
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) January 21, 2024
Great racing is still possible but there’s a reason drivers have called for a reconfiguration. Still, I’m looking forward to Sunday’s race to see who will rise to the challenge.
2024 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Race Odds and Predictions
Back in 2023, both 23XI Racing Toyotas ran exceptionally well at Texas Motor Speedway. Expect Tyler Reddick (+750) and Bubba Wallace (+1200) to run near the front once again. Kyle Larson unsurprisingly finds himself as the favorite at +350 while teammate William Byron sits just behind him at +550.
I would love to go out on a limb with my prediction but Kyle Larson feels like the no-brainer win pick here. The driver of the #5 nearly had the race won last year before some late-race shenanigans. If you’re looking for other picks, consider Christopher Bell in the top five at +140, I don’t hate that value.
Giddy up race fans…. ITS ALMOST RACE TIME!!!🏁 🔥 #AutotraderEchoPark400 | #AndysFrozenCustard300 pic.twitter.com/xXBj2be2In
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) April 10, 2024
Ryan Blaney also feels like an obvious pick for Top Ford at +125 but I’m going to sprinkle some on the hometown kid Chris Buescher as well for +550.
Check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action from Texas Motor Speedway!
Friday 04/12
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – 3:35 p.m. CT on FS1
NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying – 5:30 p.m. CT on FS1
SpeedyCash.com 250 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) – 7:30 p.m. CT on FS1
Saturday 04/13
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 10:20 a.m. CT on FS1
Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 (NASCAR Xfinity Series) – 12:30 p.m. CT on FS1
Sunday 04/14
AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1
Stay locked into Apollo for more NASCAR and F1 Coverage throughout the racing season! Follow @CoachJayArnold and @ApolloHOU on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest and check out our newly minted Instagram – Apollo NASCAR!
