Today is the day that the NASCAR Cup Series races at NASCAR's oldest racetrack and that the IndyCars tackle their 2nd biggest race on the schedule, Long Beach. Both start at similar times, so motorsports fans will have a hard time watching both at once.

Cup: Ryan Blaney

In my opinion, this is kind of a bold pick. Ryan Blaney is looked at by many as one of the next big superstars of NASCAR, but he hasn't won a race since the 2021 summer Daytona race. It seems like he and a couple other drivers that something goes wrong every time when he has a chance to win. Regardless if it's a team mistake like at Richmond this year by removing equipment from the pit box under green, to Homestead last year when Blaney was strong but spun out after an unforced error by downshifting accidently  to literally last week at Bristol dirt when he was spun out by Chase Briscoe late in the race completely just rotten luck. Perhaps Blaney can snap that winless streak with a Martinsville clock.

Long Beach IndyCar:

1st Kyle Kirkwood

Since 1984 IndyCar has been racing at the historic street circuit. In that time frame, 5 drivers have scored their first win there. Michael Andretti, Paul Tracy, Juan Pablo Montoya, Takuma Sato, and Mike Conway. 3 of the 5 have gone on to be IndyCar champions. Kyle had nothing short of an amazing Indy lights season in 2021, winning 10 of the 20 races that year with Andretti AutoSport. Now that he somewhat rejoined the team, a lot of expect are high. Plus Long Beach has been an Andretti AutoSport playground of late. Since 2018 one of those cars has been on the podium. Including Alexander Rossi, who dominated 2018 and 2019. Guess what? Rossi was in the #27. Kirkwood is in what number car? 27, AKA Rossi old ride. The last time a first time winner was crowned at Long Beach was in 2014 for Mike Conway who was in car number 27. You see the trend here? And to add the cherry on top, the Andretti name is legendary at Long Beach. One of them is the bossman, Michael Andretti, who got his 1st and last IndyCar win at this place. It could all be lining up to be a special day for Kirkwood after getting his 1st career pole.

2nd Romain Grosjean

Grosjean almost got his 1st career win at Long Beach last season and was so close to winning at another street circuit this year at St Pete. Grosjean and the whole Andretti AutoSport team, for the most part, have shown improved speed from last year. It may seem shocking, but the organization has not won a championship since Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2012. Maybe this weekend can be the key to unleashing that power again?

3rd Pato O'ward

So far, the Arrow McLaren SP driver has been the bridesmaid this season. Pato had the lead at St Pete but had a plenum event with 4 laps to go and couldn't recover to win. And at Texas he and Josef Newgarden were going head to head and ultimately lost the lead with just under 2 laps to go. After having the fastest practice on Friday, it seems to be slowly unraveling for the points leader.