2026 DuraMAX Grand Prix odds, picks: NASCAR projected leaderboard from proven model

The Cup Series heads to its first road course of the season with the 2026 DuraMAX Grand Prix from Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. Last year was the first in which the race was shortened to 2.400 miles, after previously being 3.426 miles, and Christopher Bell took the NASCAR at COTA checkered flag. NASCAR at Austin has seen five different winners across its five editions of the race, making the DuraMAX Grand Prix 2026 wide open in regard to NASCAR COTA picks.

Shane van Gisbergen is the +115 favorite in the latest DuraMAX Grand Prix odds, with Cup Series rookie Connor Zilisch close behind at +380. Others to consider with 2026 NASCAR at COTA bets include Bell (+1100) and William Byron (+1200), while Tyler Reddick is at +1600 as he attempts to win the first three races of the season.

Before making any 2026 DuraMAX Grand Prix picks or NASCAR predictions, you need to see what auto racing insider Mike McClure has to say.

McClure is a legendary professional DFS player with more than $2 million in career winnings. He uses a powerful prediction model that simulates every lap of NASCAR action, taking factors such as matchups and statistical trends into account. 

All told, the model has nailed a whopping 29 winners since 2021 and hit 11 winners in 2025! Anyone who followed its lead on those NASCAR picks could have seen HUGE returns.

For the NASCAR at COTA, the model is fading Bell, the defending champion and one of the favorites at +1100, saying he barely cracks the top 5. Another surprise: Chris Buescher (+2700) is projected to finish near the top of the leaderboard despite his longer odds. 

The model has identified a longshot of well over +3000 or more as a top-10 contender, potentially netting any backer a huge payday!

So who wins the 2026 DuraMAX Grand Prix, and which massive longshot could stun NASCAR? Visit SportsLine now to see the picks and best bets from a NASCAR model that nailed 11 winners last year, and find out!