NASCAR Hollywood Casino 400 preview and pick

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Midwest for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, October 20. It is a crucial race, as it will advance eight drivers into the next round of the NASCAR playoffs and eliminate four drivers from title contention. This situation is important to consider when making picks this week. A desperate team makes for a dangerous team.

Odds to win the Hollywood Casino 400

Chase Elliott is looking to repeat

Last year’s Hollywood Casino 400 winner is desperate for a win this week. After a wild Talladega race, Elliott is 22 points off the cut line. He’s not required to win but it will be his team’s priority to get his No. 9 Chevy into victory lane. We fancy his chances, as Elliott has three top-five finishes, including a win, in his last five races at Kansas. In seven starts at Kansas, Elliott has averaged a 12.86 finish.

Elliott will have to beat favorites like Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick. But with the desperation factor in play, we could easily see Elliott and his team try a bold move to capture the checkered flag. It’s not impossible, as he has shown a capability to win at the track.

Alex Bowman's desperation is key

Alex Bowman is a live underdog Sunday, and Elliott’s teammate is also desperate for a win. His No. 88 Chevy is 18 points below the cut line. In the spring Bowman finished second at Kansas. Forget his career stats at the track, as he was running with inferior equipment years ago. Since he joined Hendrick Motorsports, Bowman has finished in the top 10 in three of his four starts at Kansas.

Bowman’s team will do everything it can to grab the checkered flag Sunday. He was able to lead 63 laps in the spring at Kansas, so he is capable of running up front there. If he can sit close all race long, Bowman just might be able to find himself in victory lane.

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