Staff picks for Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte – Nascar

Kasey Kahne: The Coca-Cola 600 is such a different animal that rewards mental acuity, pure tenacity and physical fitness. Kasey Kahne has those qualities and won NASCAR’s endurance event three times, and with two top-five finishes already this season, this is where he breaks out of his 59-race winless rut. — Kathy Sheldon

Joey Logano: It’ll be a clean Charlotte sweep for Sliced Bread, who got his mojo back during the Sprint All-Star Race. Last week’s $1 million win probably felt spectacular — the feeling may be equal Sunday night when Logano celebrates his biggest NASCAR victory to date. — Brad Norman

Carl Edwards: He’s the defending race winner and has posted five straight top 10s at Charlotte. Kevin Harvick is the only other driver who can say that, but the No. 19 pit crew gives him the edge — by a footlong Subway sandwich at the finish. — George Winkler

Kevin Harvick : This one’s an easy pick for me. There’s a reason why Harvick sits atop the standings and that’s exactly where he’ll stay after cruising to another Coca-Cola 600 win. — Maggie MacKenzie

Joey Logano : The most recent Charlotte winner, Logano’s No. 22 Ford seems ready for 600 miles of action, as he topped two of the three rounds of qualifying, scoring a second-place starting position. With a fast car and plenty of momentum after his All-Star win, look for the Team Penske driver to punch his ticket to the Chase Sunday with his first ’16 victory. — Jessica Ruffin

Martin Truex Jr. : Forget about what has gone wrong late in races for the No. 78 team, Truex has consistently been one of the best on the intermediate tracks this season. The Furniture Row Racing driver will cash in on his pole run and strong pit spot for his first win of 2016. —RJ Kraft

Joey Logano : Becomes first driver to sweep All-Star race and Coca-Cola 600 since Kurt Busch in 2010. Logano drives the No. 22 Ford for team owner Roger Penske, Busch’s team owner in ’10. — Kenny Bruce