Eric Uribe
We’re down to three races in the NASCAR betting season before a Cup Series champion is crowned. But with eight drivers remaining in title contention, it’s not too late to lay a futures bet and win big three weeks from now. In this article, we’re giving you the NASCAR Cup Series betting pick to make right now!
But first, let’s take a look at the NASCAR champion betting odds. Here’s how the best online sportsbooks are pegging each remaining driver’s chances at winning it all:
| Driver |  |  |
| Kyle Larson | +150 | +150 |
| Denny Hamlin | +450 | +450 |
| Ryan Blaney | +500 | +500 |
| Kyle Busch | +650 | +650 |
| Chase Elliott | +800 | +800 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | +1200 | +1200 |
| Brad Keselowski | +1600 | +1600 |
| Joey Logano | +2800 | +2800 |
Remaining NASCAR Playoffs Preview
We’re currently in the Round of 8 playoff stage. Two more races remain here — the upcoming Hollywood Casino 500 (at Kansas Speedway) and Xfinity 500 (in Martinsville Speedway). At the conclusion of this stage, the bottom-four drivers per the points standings will be eliminated from title contention.
As it stands, the following four drivers are staring at elimination right now (from fifth to eighth place in the standings): Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., and Joey Logano. The easiest way to survive for these drivers is to outright win one of the next two races. Doing so would automatically qualify the victor into the “final four.”
That’s the exact predicament Kyle Larson finds himself in. Larson won this past weekend’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500, the first Round of 8 race. He’s now guaranteed for the championship finale no matter what happens in the next two events, hence why his betting odds are so much lower than everyone else’s.
Of course, once in the finale — which goes down at the Phoenix Raceway — the top-finishing driver among the last four wins the Cup Series title. The winner-take-all model sets up for a thrilling finish to the NASCAR season in the next month.
NASCAR Betting Pick — The Favorite
Dare we say Larson is a must-bet right now? Yeah, that seems perfectly reasonable for two chief reasons.
The first is, as we mentioned before, Larson is the only driver with a spot in the final already. That security definitely means something, especially in a predictably unpredictable sport like NASCAR. It’s not unthinkable for drivers currently in second through fourth in the standings — Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, or Kyle Busch — to drop into the bottom-four as points are relatively close between the remaining contenders. Thankfully for Larson, he has no such worry.
But the second reason why Larson is worth an automatic bet is even better: no driver in the sport has raced better than Larson from start to finish — and it’s not even close. He has eight wins this year, which is not only a NASCAR high but double that of the next-best driver.
You tell me, are you going to bet against that type of dominance? We sure aren’t and we advise you to do the same. Larson is earning a large bet from us and that’s a no-brainer.
NASCAR Betting Pick — The Dark Horse
Alright, we know there are many bettors that like “going against the grain” since there is more potential upside betting underdogs than perennial favorites like Larson. If you want a more risky bet, then you can’t go wrong with Truex Jr. Matter of fact, we’re a little taken back by his long +1200 odds to win.
Yes, we know he’s facing elimination, however, the remaining races play in his favor. Earlier this season, Truex Jr. took the checkered flag in Martinsville and Phoenix, respectively. Heck, he even finished sixth in Kansas. If there’s a driver that can rally from behind to steal the Cup Series, it’s definitely Truex Jr.
Of the eight drivers remaining, Truex Jr’s four first-place finishes in 2021 is second best to Larson. The guy also has three top-2 Cup Series finishes in the past four years. Getting him at a +1200 price is a steal and we’re going to commit robbery with a modest bet on Truex Jr.
A two-pronged betting approach — one “safe” wager with Larson and the other more “risky” bet on Truex Jr. — is our best-value advice. Essentially, you’re playing the “numbers game” with both drivers given their current circumstances and track records in similar races.
How To Bet The 2021 NASCAR Playoffs
So what’s it going to be — heed our betting advice or fade it? Hey, we take no offense either way, but if you need a trusted sportsbook to make your choice, then consider the bookmakers listed below. They’ll have up-to-date NASCAR betting odds on championship futures and all three remaining races.
Odds will fluctuate week-to-week based on what transpires on the Sunday races, but these bookies stay on top of all the changes regardless. Lines are put up fast and are offered at respectable prices, too. You can’t go wrong with NASCAR betting (or another motorsport, for that matter) at these sites.
And in case you needed one more reason to wager at these sites, how about this one — free money! With special bonuses offered at the bookies, you could earn hundreds to thousands of dollars in free play through such deals! The table underneath lists sign-up bonuses currently available at these sites. Just find the one you like most and click the “play now” button to earn your free play!
