The NASCAR Cup Series returns after a week off to run the Food City 500 on April 12 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The Cup Series was off during Easter weekend, with the last Cup race won by Chase Elliott on March 27 at Martinsville.

Bristol will be another test for the new short-track horsepower package. Goodyear has also adjusted its tire for Bristol in a search for balance between tire falloff and tire wear.

Here are The Tennessean's expert picks for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol:

I like that Stenhouse is in the trucks race at Bristol, where he has run well over the years with a total of four top-5 finishes.

Last year, Gibbs' run in the Bristol night race may have been his strongest of his career. He's been running well consistently to start the season. And while I've been critical of Gibbs when necessary over the last couple years, it's time for win No. 1.

Bell has finished in the top 10 in each of his last four Bristol races, including a win in the night race last year. A win spins forward the storyline of Toyota's dominance.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Bristol predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race