As we all know, AI is a massive part of today’s world. One thing I can promise is that we will never use AI to write our articles or even our major social media posts. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun with it, right? So, I got to playing around with it and asked it. Can you predict the next five NASCAR Cup Series Champions? And here is what I got!
So I asked two of the Biggest AI platforms in the world, Grok (X) and Chat GPT. Here are their picks and a paraphrase as to why they picked each driver. To ensure a quality answer, I copied and pasted the exact question posed to the other platform.
Keep in mind, this does not account for major future changes (obviously), and Grok seems to think Phoenix will remain the Championship race, at least in 2027 again.
Grok’s Predictions
- 2025: Ryan Blaney – His ability to perform under pressure in the Playoffs.
- 2026: Kyle Larson – Larson’s raw talent, paired with crew chief Cliff Daniels.
- 2027: Christopher Bell – Bell’s growth, particularly on short tracks and intermediates, combined with that of his crew chief, Adam Stevens.
- 2028: William Byron – Byron’s ability to handle pressure, as seen with his 2025 regular season title and HMS’s technical prowess.
- 2029: Ty Gibbs – Gibbs represents the next generation and JGR’s long-term investment. His trajectory mirrors that of teammate Bell. By 2029, he will likely have multiple wins and Playoff experience.
ChatGPT’s Predictions
I must point out that when posed the exact same question, ChatGPT did not predict the 2025 champion, only 2026-2030, and I had to ask it specifically. But here are its predictions as asked originally. All reasoning here is word-for-word via GPT.
- 2026: Kyle Larson – He’s currently the odds-on favorite for 2025, showing consistent dominance and adaptability. His endurance feat attempts (e.g., the “Double”) underscore his elite status.
- 2027: William Byron – With a regular season title in 2025 and proven wins, Byron has become a dependable contender with championship aspirations.
- 2028: Christopher Bell – A three-time race winner in 2025, Bell consistently appears near the top of odds boards – showing he can excel on diverse tracks.
- 2029: Denny Hamlin – Though not the outright odds leader, Hamlin is leading the current playoff standings and remains both a veteran and formidable Playoff Performer.
- 2030: Chase Briscoe or Bubba Wallace – Briscoe: poised with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025, already earning a win and multiple top-tier poles-He’s on the upswing. Wallace: His historic Brickyard 400 victory could be a turning point; strong momentum and team support suggest a potential championship run.
2025 Prediction when asked specifically – William Byron – His consistent performance and strong team setup (Driver-crew chief pairing with Rudy Fugle) lay the groundwork for a championship run. Jeff Gordon even likened his rise to a budding dynasty.
The Editor’s Predictions
- 2025: William Byron
- 2026: Denny Hamlin
- 2027: Tyler Reddick
- 2028: Christopher Bell
- 2029: Connor Zilisch
Image Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
