This week, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series moves from a short track in Martinsville Speedway to a 1.5 mile track in Texas Motor Speedway. Here are the VAVEL NASCAR writers picks for who will perform the best this weekend in the Duck Commander 500.
Mark Smith
Driver: Jimmie Johnson
Reason: "In recent seasons the driver of the Lowes #48 Chevrolet has been dominant at 1.5 mile speedways and I see this coming Saturday night at Texas Motor Speedway being no different. He may have competition from the Penske teammates and reigning Sprint Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, but I think Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus will have the right strategy to get to Victory Lane in Fort Worth."
Brandon Farris
Driver: Jimmie Johnson
Reason: "Looks good on mile and a half tracks. Him and Kanaus have had a lot of success in the lone star state."
Stephen Furst
Driver: Kyle Busch
Reason: "Once he gets on a role, he is hard to stop."
Stevie Larson
Driver: Jimmie Johnson
Reason: "He has been flat out dominant at Texas Motor Speedway. He has won five of the last seven races at the track, including last season's spring race. He will be very hard to defeat this weekend. He also already has two wins this season, which leads the series. He has the second best average finish at the track, behind only Matt Kenseth."