“Get Ready for the Fastest Track in NASCAR: UnionJournalism’s Bristol Predictions 2025” As the summer sun sets over the rolling hills of Bristol Motor Speedway, a battle of wills and wheel-to-wheel racing is about to ignite. The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is upon us, and with it comes the thrilling prospect of a record-breaking 30 consecutive Cup Series events on the iconic 0.53-mile triangular course. For seasoned racing fans, the Bristol predictions 2025 are a question of what’s to come: will reigning champion Kyle Larson continue his dominance, or will challenger Hendrick Motorsports’ Joey Logano steal the spotlight? As the biggest names in NASCAR gear up for their first events of the season, UnionJournalism is taking a closer look at the expert predictions that will shape the 2025 season. From up-and-coming drivers to marquee matchups, we’re diving into the world of NASCAR Bristol to uncover the most thrilling predictions
NASCAR Bristol predictions 2025: Expert picks for Cup Series race

Unionjournalism’s expert analysts have weighed in on the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, with their top picks for the NASCAR Cup Series race.
Expert Picks
Nick Gray, a popular NASCAR analyst, believes that Kyle Larson will be the best bet to win the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Larson has a lot of success on the NextGen car, which is a key factor in this event. His experience in the track and his ability to use his car to its full potential make him a strong candidate for the win.
- Nick Gray’s pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Austin Chastain’s Pick
Austin Chastain, a NASCAR analyst with a strong track record, is confident that Denny Hamlin will be the winner of the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Hamlin has a long history of success at Bristol, including his dominant performance in the spring race last year. His ability to control the pace of the race and his experience in the NextGen car make him a solid choice for this event.
- Austin Chastain’s pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Tom Kreager’s Pick
Tom Kreager, a NASCAR analyst with a wealth of experience, believes that Kyle Busch will be the best bet to win the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Busch has a history of success at Bristol, with eight wins in the last 10 years. His ability to adapt to different track conditions and his experience in the NextGen car make him a strong candidate for the win.
- Tom Kreager’s pick: Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Implications and Practical Aspects
The Food City 500 will be a key event in the NASCAR Cup Series, with a lot of attention and resources going into the event. The winner will receive a large cash prize and will be eligible for the championship standings.
The track has also hosted several high-stakes races in recent years, which will likely influence the winner of the event.
Conclusion
The Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway promises to be an exciting event, with a lot of factors to consider. Our expert picks provide a solid starting point for those looking to make a bet on the event.
Expert Picks for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Race
Mike Organ’s pick: Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Bell has won three times this season, but he’s never won at Bristol. He was close again last week, finishing third at Darlington. He’s also been close in his previous four races at Bristol and will finally break through with a win this week.
- Mike Organ’s pick: Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Nick Gray’s Pick
Bristol is a track where Larson has a lot of success in the NextGen car, plus he should be very motivated after last week’s issues at Darlington.
Austin Chastain’s pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Denny Hamlin dominated the last short track and somehow slipped away with a win last week with a gutsy call on the final pit stop. Hamlin controlled last year’s Bristol spring race and will make it three wins in a row, matching the streak his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell went on earlier this season.
- Nick Gray’s pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Austin Chastain’s Pick
Denny Hamlin dominated the last short track and somehow slipped away with a win last week with a gutsy call on the final pit stop. Hamlin controlled last year’s Bristol spring race and will make it three wins in a row, matching the streak his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell went on earlier this season.
Hamlin has won two of three at the track, with Kyle Larson the winner at last fall’s playoff race.
- Austin Chastain’s pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Tom Kreager’s Pick
It’s time for Kyle Busch’s drought to end. Why not at Bristol, baby! Busch has eight wins at Bristol Motor Speedway, but none since the April 2019 race.
That’s about as bad as Busch’s 65-race winless drought since June 2023.
- Tom Kreager’s pick: Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Conclusion
As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season heats up, the Bristol Night Race is shaping up to be a thrilling event that will test the mettle of even the most seasoned drivers. According to our expert analysis, the top contenders for the win include Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Joey Logano, who have consistently demonstrated their speed and endurance on the high-banked tracks of Bristol. However, other drivers such as Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin are also expected to make a strong push, given their recent form and ability to adapt to different track conditions.
The significance of the Bristol Night Race lies not only in its prestige as one of the most iconic events on the NASCAR calendar, but also in its potential to shake up the championship standings. With the season already several races into its final stretch, a strong performance at Bristol could catapult a driver to the top of the leaderboard, while a disappointing result could send them reeling. Furthermore, the Bristol Night Race has historically been a proving ground for drivers, with many going on to secure crucial wins and momentum-shifting victories.
As we look ahead to the 2025 Bristol Night Race, one thing is clear: this year’s event is shaping up to be an instant classic, with a field of talented drivers vying for the top spot. Whether you’re a die-hard NASCAR fan or just tuning in for the first time, this is an event you won’t want to miss. As the green flag waves, the stage is set for a night of high-speed action, drama, and heart-pumping excitement – and only one man will emerge victorious. The question is, who will it be?