Inside Larry McReynolds’ Shocking NASCAR Mid-Season Predictions Fans Can’t Miss

Larry McReynolds, the longtime NASCAR crew chief turned FOX Sports analyst, will step out of the broadcast booth and behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Corvette pace car to kick off the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta on Sunday night, July 12, 2026. The appearance adds another milestone to “America’s Crew Chief,” who guided Ernie Irvan to victory at the 1.54-mile oval in 1994 before becoming one of the sport’s most trusted TV voices. “I’m honored to hop behind the wheel of the pace car to help kick off 400 miles of thrilling action, and to do it at a track that I was able to win at just adds to how special this opportunity is for me,” McReynolds said in the track’s announcement. Track officials confirmed that McReynolds will lead the 36-car NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag shortly after 7 p.m. ET, following Saturday qualifying for both the Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Focused Health 250 under the lights. The Quaker State 400 headlines Atlanta’s Night Race weekend and traditionally attracts one of the summer’s largest crowds and TV audiences. At 67, McReynolds brings 23 career Cup Series wins—including the 1998 Daytona 500 with Dale Earnhardt—and two decades of broadcast analysis to the honorary role, reinforcing his reputation for race-day strategy savvy that spawned the “America’s Crew Chief” nickname. Search interest in McReynolds has spiked as fans track his on-air work, Hall of Fame prospects, and now his on-track cameo, giving NASCAR and EchoPark Speedway valuable mid-season buzz. Key weekend schedule: • Saturday, July 11 – Cup and O’Reilly qualifying, Focused Health 250 at 7 p.m. ET • Sunday, July 12 – Quaker State 400 green flag at 7 p.m. ET, led by McReynolds in the Chevrolet Corvette pace car • Coverage – FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Tickets and camping remain on sale at EchoParkSpeedway.com, with officials reporting brisk demand following the pace-car announcement. Whether he’s calling the action or steering the opening laps, Larry McReynolds remains one of NASCAR’s most recognizable figures—and Atlanta fans are ready to cheer him on as he brings the field up to speed for another high-stakes Georgia showdown.