NASCAR Expert Picks: McClure’s Predictions for the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray
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A renowned auto racing insider is sharing his top bets for the 2026 NASCAR Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, and he’s fading the co-favorite.
The NASCAR season kicks off with an intriguing exhibition race as the field converges on Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for the Cook Out Clash on Sunday. Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott are currently tied as the favorites with +650 odds, but one expert believes there’s better value to be found elsewhere.
Blaney is looking to build on a sixth-place finish in last year’s standings, while Elliott aims to improve upon his eighth-place result. Other drivers considered strong contenders include Denny Hamlin (+700), Kyle Larson (+850), and William Byron (+900). The 200-lap race will take place on the 0.25-mile asphalt track, with a scheduled start time of 8 p.m. ET.
Before placing any wagers on the 2026 Cook Out Clash, it’s crucial to hear from Mike McClure, a legendary professional DFS player with over $2 million in career winnings. McClure utilizes a powerful prediction model that simulates every lap of NASCAR action, and has an impressive track record, nailing 29 winners since 2021 and 11 in 2025 alone. Those who have followed his NASCAR betting picks have seen substantial returns.
Now, McClure has focused his attention on the NASCAR exhibition Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and has revealed his best bets, exclusively at SportsLine. New users can take advantage of a FanDuel promo code to receive $200 in bonus bets with a winning $5 wager.
McClure’s Top Picks for the 2026 Clash
For the 2026 Clash at Bowman Gray, McClure is advising to “fade” Blaney, the +650 co-favorite. His model suggests Blaney will barely crack the top 5, making him a driver to avoid in betting scenarios. While Blaney was the runner-up in last year’s Clash, his average finish position at this event is 8.5, which doesn’t align with his current odds.
In a surprising turn, McClure is high on Joey Logano, currently at +1000. The model identifies Logano as a top-six contender with a better chance of winning than his odds suggest. Logano finished in the top five at this event last year and concluded the previous season strongly, securing five top-eight finishes in his final nine races.
McClure has also identified three NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray longshots with odds of +2200 or higher who could deliver a significant payout. Details on these picks are available at SportsLine.
2026 NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray: Odds and Lineup (via FanDuel)
- Chase Elliott +650
- Ryan Blaney +650
- Denny Hamlin +700
- Kyle Larson +850
- William Byron +900
- Christopher Bell +1000
- Joey Logano +1000
- Chase Briscoe +1000
- Ross Chastain +2000
- Josh Berry +2200
- Tyler Reddick +2200
- Alex Bowman +2200
- You Gibbs +2500
- Chris Buescher +2700
- Bubba Wallace +2700
- Kyle Busch +3000
- Ryan Preece +3300
- Austin Cindric +3500
- Connor Zilisch +3500
- Carson Hocevar +4000
- Austin Dillon +5500
- Corey Lajoie +8000
- Erik Jones +10000
- Shane van Gisbergen +10000
- Todd Gilliland +10000
- Noah Gragson +10000
- Cole Custer +10000
- John Hunter Nemechek +12500
- AJ Allmendinger +12500
- Daniel Suarez +12500
- Zane Smith +12500
- Michael McDowell +20000
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +20000
- Riley Herbst +35000
- Ty Dillon +35000
- Cody Ware +40000
- Burt Myers +40000
- Chad Finchum +40000
To find out who McClure is backing to win the 2026 NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and which longshots could pull off a stunning upset, visit SportsLine now for his expert picks and best bets.
