Expert prediction
Food City 500 Picks, Odds & Preview (Apr 12)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- When: Sunday, April 12, 2026 @ 3:00 PM ET
- Where: Bristol Motor Speedway, Tennessee
- How to Watch: FS1
One of the most compelling weekends of sporting action is set for Saturday and Sunday, with The Masters set to get underway on Thursday. However, NASCAR action is also slated to resume on April 12, with the Food City 500 set for Tennessee. You can find the latest odds and our picks for the race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule here.
Food City 500 Odds
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | +450 |
| Denny Hamlin | +600 |
| Ryan Blaney | +700 |
| Christopher Bell | +700 |
| Ty Gibbs | +950 |
| William Byron | +1200 |
| Chase Briscoe | +1200 |
| Other Selections | +1500 & Bigger |
Food City 500 Recent Winners
| Year | Winning Driver |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Kyle Larson |
| 2024 | Denny Hamlin |
| 2023 | Christopher Bell |
| 2022 | Kyle Busch |
| 2021 | Joey Logano |
ALSO SEE: The Masters 2026: 5 Outsiders to Consider
Event Preview
After a two week break, action on the NASCAR Cup Series resumes this weekend, as Bristol Motor Speedway hosts the 2026 edition of the Food City 500 on Sunday. Drivers will complete a total distance of 266.5 miles in the race, which has been held on a concrete surface since 2024.
Kyle Larson will be a likely contender after winning the race 12 months ago. However, the reigning champion is yet to win in 2026. Despite that, he has achieved top-ten finishes in four of the last five rounds.
Chase Elliott should be a confident contender this weekend after winning the Cook Out 400 last time out. Elliott has started the season in excellent form, finishing in the top three in two of the last three rounds.
Tyler Reddick continues to lead the Drivers’ Championship after winning four times already in 2026. However, a return to form will be required after finishing 15th in the Cook Out 400 at the end of last month.
Ryan Blaney and Ty Gibbs should also be considered this weekend. The latter has been in red-hot form throughout the season, reflected after achieving top-five finishes in four of the last five rounds.
Food City 500 Picks
Previous winner of the Food City 500, Denny Hamlin, is an interesting selection this weekend. Hamlin has been in consistent form in 2026, winning the Pennzoil 400 and taking second in the recent Cook Out 400.
Free Pick:
Nascar
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