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- What: NASCAR Mobil1 301 Race
- Date: Saturday, September 21, 2025
- Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
- Where: Loudon, New Hampshire
- Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Get ready for heart-pounding action as the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs hit a fever pitch this Sunday.
Drivers will battle for a coveted spot in the next playoff round as they tackle the challenging New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Mobil 1 301.
This 301-lap race is the first in the Round of 12 playoff elimination, where only the best survive to keep their championship hopes alive.
New Hampshire’s flat, technical layout separates contenders from pretenders. Minimal banking—2-7 degrees in the turns, one on the straights—demands precision and patience. Unlike superspeedways, passing is limited, so track position and pit strategy are critical.
New Hampshire rewards drivers who excel at traffic management and exploit others’ mistakes. Flat corners force single-file racing, making every restart and caution critical. Crew chiefs must weigh track position against fresh tires; clean air typically beats tire advantage.
Check out the latest NASCAR betting lines. All our odds are from the best NASCAR betting sites. For more information about the Cup Series, check out our guide on how to bet on NASCAR.
NASCAR Mobil 1 301 Race Odds
Christopher Bell enters as the early odds-on favorite. He brings momentum into a track that rewards his patient, calculated driving style, making a win crucial for his championship hopes.
Championship contenders Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin, trail behind Bell at +450 and +650 betting odds, cannot afford early elimination as the playoffs intensify. Ryan Blaney, listed at +700 odds, and William Byron—who earned eight expert votes as the title favorite—also face must-perform conditions with their chances on the line.
Chase Briscoe’s recent Darlington victory secured his Round of 12 advancement.
Sunday is a do-or-die battle for bubble drivers to keep championship hopes alive. The 318.46-mile test unfolds across three intense stages: 75 laps, 110 laps, and a decisive 116-lap finale.
Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell is the clear betting favorite for good reason. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver carries momentum from his clutch Bristol win, which secured his playoff spot.
Bell’s New Hampshire record is impressive—he is the defending winner and took the 2022 checkered flag. His proven talent on this flat track and current form make him the logical, safe choice for bettors.
His technical understanding of low-banked tracks sets him apart from the field, as evidenced by his ability to find speed where others struggle.
Christopher Bell’s finishes at New Hampshire (Cup, Xfinity, Truck)
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
2nd
2nd
28th
29th pic.twitter.com/YMaWDoGzIF— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) September 19, 2025
The combination of recent form, track mastery, and JGR’s engineering excellence creates a perfect storm for success. While +325 odds offer modest returns, Bell represents the safest play for conservative bettors seeking reliability over massive payouts.
Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson at +700 odds offer a tremendous value proposition.
The Hendrick Motorsports wheelman enters New Hampshire with a comfortable 28-point playoff cushion. This may reduce his urgency compared to drivers facing elimination. Larson’s raw talent is undeniable.
On this day in 2021, Kyle Larson won at Bristol! pic.twitter.com/YzD3gr0dfT
— Nascarpixtures (@Nascarpixtures) September 18, 2025
His 2021 championship credentials speak volumes, but his New Hampshire track record is mixed at best. The flat oval’s unique demands don’t necessarily play to his strengths, unlike high-banked speedways.
However, Larson can find speed anywhere, and HMS’s technical superiority keeps him in contention.
For bettors, he is a safer middle-ground option between Bell’s chalk status and riskier longshots at the Mobil 1 301 race.
Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin enters as a compelling value play despite his veteran status and Joe Gibbs Racing pedigree. Sitting 15th in playoff points with an eight-point deficit to the cutline, Hamlin faces genuine elimination pressure that could unlock his considerable talent.
His New Hampshire history is solid, with multiple top-ten finishes and the tactical acumen that comes with 20+ years of Cup Series experience. JGR’s technical alliance with Bell’s winning program provides optimism for setup sharing and competitive speed.
denny hamlin is a brickyard 400 winner and a regular season champ as an owner before as a driver 🙏😭 pic.twitter.com/09cRjYwtzR
— DennyDeliversYT 📦 (@DennyDelivers2) July 27, 2025
At +500 odds, Hamlin offers excellent value for a driver of his caliber facing a must-perform situation. His playoff experience and clutch gene could prove invaluable when the pressure mounts in the closing stages, making him an attractive underdog selection.
I would wager on Hamlin at this price to win the Mobil 1 301.
William Byron
William Byron represents an intriguing middle-tier option with legitimate winning credentials at New Hampshire. The Hendrick Motorsports driver sits comfortably in the playoff standings with a 19-point cushion, eliminating desperation while maintaining competitive fire.
Byron’s flat-track resume includes strong showings at similar venues, and his analytical approach to setup work could prove crucial on New Hampshire’s unique surface. The combination of HMS equipment superiority and Byron’s steady hand makes him a consistent threat for top-five finishes, even if outright wins remain elusive.
I'm kind of nervous for William Byron in the round of 12.
Not saying he's getting bounced but New Hampshire and Kansas where things seem to happen to him all too often these days aren't a great opening duo of tracks for him.
— Ryan (@ifantasyrace) September 15, 2025
His +1200 odds offer reasonable value for bettors seeking a balance between safety and upside.
Byron’s tendency to avoid costly mistakes while maximizing track position could be the difference-maker in a race where patience often trumps aggression.
I would pass on Byron winning at the Mobile 1 301 race.
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