A weekend to remember, these drivers in NASCAR aim to survive and advance. Meanwhile, in IndyCar, the championship is over. Alex Palou is now a 2-time champion, but everyone else wants to end 2023 on a high note to either get a job for 2024 or finish as high in the standings as possible. Who will take that next step to be a NASCAR champion? And who will have the bragging rights in IndyCar until 2024?

Truck predicted winner: Zane Smith

The Trucks go to Kansas for their cut-off race before the round of 8 begins. The reigning champion sits 29 points above the cutline. He should be fine as long as catastrophic does not strike. Zane Smith and the 38 team have been fast in Kansas. The organization has only finished outside the top 10 twice, Zane's worst finish at Kansas was 11th. He hasn't won since COTA early in the year. This would be a good time to return to Victory Lane.

Xfinity predicted winner: John Hunter Nemecheck

The NASCAR Xfinity Series have their regular season finale this weekend to confirm the 12 drivers to battle in 7 races for the Xfinity championship. Nemecheck has had a strong season, so strong that Legacy Motor Club came calling for him to drive at the Cup level in 2024. While it is amazing to know you are racing for people like Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson, who are both 7-time Cup champions, Nemecheck has 8 races left in Xfinity aiming to win a championship. A helping factor would be winning the regular season championship against Austin Hill

Indycar podium prediction:

1st Will Power

Before the season finale, Laguna Seca had a test on the newly repaved racetrack. Power had unofficially demolished the lap record set by Helio Castroneves. A streak for Will is in jeopardy as well. The 2-time champion has won a race in the last 16 straight seasons, he has been winless so far this year. If he gets it done, that record will continue and will tie Michael Andretti for 4th on the all-time wins list at 42 career wins.

2nd Scott McLaughlin

It's been a solid 2023 for Scotty Mac a win, and 3 podiums could possibly set him up to be as high as 3rd in the final points standings. While last year, he had an outside chance of winning the championship, this year is very different. Podium number 4 will definitely be a nice way to end 2023, where he has a better average finish than last year.

3rd Graham Rahal

RLL has definitely had a strong last half of 2023, Graham has shown flashes that he still has what it takes to win if the equipment is underneath him. Despite originally being too slow to qualify for the Indy 500 this year, the organization went to work, and it is paying off. Teammate Christian Lundgaard got his 1st career win in Toronto, and Rahal got his first podium in 2 years and nearly got his first win in 6 years. The team still has work to do on ovals, but the street courses are top-notch. Plus, on standard road courses, they are getting better as well. Graham finished 2nd at the Indy Road course, which is relatively smooth, Laguna Seca has a fresh repave. It will give that team some hope going into the 2024 season.

Cup predicted winner: Tyler Reddick

In the 2nd race in round 1, Reddick sits 30 points to the good to make the round of 12. It may shock you that Tyler has never made it that far in the playoffs. Both times, he made the playoffs before he was eliminated in round 1. After Denny Hamlin and 23XI's futures have been confirmed, that organization can only get stronger. Reddick is not scared to run the high line, and after coming up short in the Southern 500, a win will definitely show the next step in his career.