Mark Smith spent most of the first half of the season in second place, but a string of good picks has not only catapulted him to the lead, but he has maintained that lead for the last few weeks. After his pick of Tony Stewart was the only one to get points last week, he remains in the lead, with a 24 point lead over second-place Stevie Larson.
Standings
This week's picks
Here are the picks for this weekend's Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway.
Mark Smith
Driver: Kyle Busch
Reason: "The reigning Sprint Cup Series champion has already been to Victory Lane a number of times this season. After having a run of bad results in past weeks the driver of the #18 Toyota Camry will bounce back at Kentucky. Joe Gibbs Racing have been strong all season and that will continue this week."
Stevie Larson
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Reason: "Keselowski is one of just two drivers in the field who have multiple wins at Kentucky, and when you combine that with the momentum he got from his win in the Coke Zero 400, he will be a force to be reckoned with this weekend in the bluegrass state."
Stephen Furst
Driver: Kyle Larson
Reason: "Larson has been showing a lot of improvement throughout the 2016 season so far. He is really starting to come into his element, especially on the 1.5-mile tracks. Look for Kyle to make his way up front and stay there to haul in his first career Sprint Cup victory under the lights on Saturday night.
Brandon Farris
Driver: Kyle Larson
Reason: " Kid is used to low down force. This could be the break he needs to win it all finally."