Category: Auto Racing / NASCAR Picks and Predictions

2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Saturday’s 2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

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The NASCAR Cup Series heads back to Bristol Motor Speedway for the 2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race Saturday night. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET (USA Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race: What you need to know

  • RFK Racing driver Chris Buescher picked up the victory last fall in the Bristol night race, getting the win from the 20th starting position
  • Buescher’s starting spot of 20th was the lowest for a winner on the Bristol pavement since Kevin Harvick started 24th and won the night race Aug. 21, 2016
  • Harvick has won 3 times at Bristol, posting 14 top-5 finishes in 42 Cup starts (33.3% of his starts), while leading 1,209 laps with a 13.1 Average-Finish Position (AFP)
  • Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch leads all active drivers with 8 checkered flags at Bristol, while posting 14 top-5 runs, 19 top-10 finishes and a circuit-best 2,592 laps led in “The Last Great Colosseum”
  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott has never won at Bristol, but he leads all active drivers with a 12.3 AFP with 4 top-5 finishes and 6 top-10 runs in 12 career Cup starts with 0 DNFs
  • Michael McDowell has had his issues at Bristol in his Cup career, posting a 28.8 AFP in 23 starts with 0 laps led and 8 DNFs
  • Aric Almirola has also struggled in his career at BMS, managing a dismal 24.0 AFP in 25 career Cup starts with just 39 laps led and 8 DNFs
  • TrackHouse Racing driver Ross Chastain is another driver who hasn’t fared well over the years in Thunder Valley, going for just 1 top-10 finish with 0 laps led and a 23.3 AFP in 6 career Cup starts
  • RFK Racing driver Brad Keselowski has managed 3 career wins with 6 top-5 finishes, 1,013 laps led and 0 DNFs in 24 Cup starts with a 16.7 AFP
  • Ford has won 3 of the past 4 Cup starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, while Chevrolet has managed to win just once in the past 9 starts. Ford and Toyota have 4 wins apiece in the same span

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2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race – Expert pick

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:44 p.m. ET.

KYLE BUSCH (+1600) just seems to be heads and tails better than any other driver on the pavement at Bristol Motor Speedway. He has 8 career Cup victories at the track, with the nearest active drivers (Harvick and Keselowski) with 3 wins each.

While Busch was a dismal 18th last fall in the night race, he is just too great of a value at this price.

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2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race – Long shot

CHASE BRISCOE (+10000) has 2 career Cup starts under his belt at Bristol. He has finished 13th and 14th in those outings, which is tremendous production based on this price to win. He is worth a roll of the dice as he is one of the best long shots to get checkers.

Even a CHASE BRISCOE TOP-10 FINISH (+340) — offered at FanDuel Sportsbook — for a chance to more than triple up is worth a shot. That’s a great value.

2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race – Race props

TOP MANUFACTURER: CHEVROLET (+140) — from FanDuel Sportsbook — is a strong play at plus-money. Busch has won 8 times at Bristol, albeit in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. However, it’s the driver that makes the difference, not the machine.

And it isn’t just Busch, but you get the Hendrick stable of drivers, too, including Elliott and his circuit-best AFP at Bristol as well as Kyle Larson.

KYLE BUSCH (-130) OVER RYAN BLANEY is a tremendous play in head-to-head matchups. Again, Busch has the 8 checkered flags, and a 13.7 AFP in 33 career Cup starts in Thunder Valley, and he has 2,592 laps led.

On the flip side, Blaney has never won at the track in 13 career Cup starts, while posting just 2 top-5 finishes and 493 laps led with 2 DNFs. This is a slam-dunk play, and I’d go rather aggressively on this prop.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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2023 Hollywood Casino 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

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The NASCAR Cup Series is at the Kansas Speedway Sunday for the 2023 Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday afternoon. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 3 p.m. ET (USA Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Hollywood Casino 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

2023 Hollywood Casino 400: What you need to know

  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin won the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway back on May 7, holding off Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson for the checkers with a late bump
  • Hamlin also leads all active drivers with 4 career wins at Kansas, while posting a 12.9 Average-Finish Position (AFP) with 12 top-5 runs in 30 career Cup starts. He’ll go off 14th on Sunday
  • Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers with a 9.9 AFP, winning 3 times with 12 top-5 runs in 35 career Cup starts. Harvick fires off from the 20th position
  • JGR’s Martin Truex Jr. has registered 2 wins with 10 top-5 finishes and 906 laps led in his 30 career Cup starts. MTJ starts 3rd on Sunday
  • JGR’s Christopher Bell posted a best speed of 180.276 mph in qualifying, the only driver to broach the 180 mph mark. He is on the pole after his best time of 29.954 seconds
  • Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch crashed in practice, and he’ll start from the 35th position in the back of the pack on Sunday in a backup car
  • Michael McDowell has made 24 career Cup starts in Kansas, and he has a dismal 27.5 AFP with a best finish of just 13th. He also has registered 7 DNFs
  • 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace had his car chief ejected for the remainder of the weekend after the No. 23 Toyota failed pre-race inspection twice on Friday. The team also forfeited its pit-stall selection

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2023 Hollywood Casino 400 – Expert pick(s)

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:21 a.m. ET.

DENNY HAMLIN (+650) is a good bet to sweep the season series at Kansas Speedway, and he has the 4th-longest odds to do so, making him a tremendous bargain.

No driver in the starting grid has won more Cup races at Kansas than the driver of the No. 11 machine. His starting position isn’t great at 14th, but it isn’t bad, either.

Hamlin went off 8th in the May race at Kansas, scooting up to 1st, so there isn’t much more difference. He started 25th last September in Kansas, and ended as the runner-up, while he started 18th last May, and ended up 4th. He knows how to pass and matriculate up through the field to position himself well in the end.

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2023 Hollywood Casino 400 – Long shot(s)

AUSTIN DILLON (+10000) is a tremendous value at this price point. He starts 8th on Sunday. While he has never won a Cup race at Kansas, he has finished inside the top 10 on 6 of his 20 starts, or 30% of his runs at the track. He posted a best speed of 178.200 mph in qualifying, improving from his practice times Friday which were a bit uneven.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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2023 Cook Out Southern 500 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Cook Out Southern 500 from Darlington Raceway, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

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The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Darlington Raceway for the 2023 Cook Out Raceway 500 Sunday night. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 6 p.m. ET (USA Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Cook Out Southern 500 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

2023 Cook Out Southern 500: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron picked up the victory in mid-May at the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. He will start 23rd Sunday
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell is on the pole after posting a best speed of 169.193 mph, edging out teammate Denny Hamlin at 169.042 mph
  • Hamlin leads all drivers with 4 Darlington victories and a 7.7 Average-Finish Position (AFP) with 801 laps led and 0 DNFs
  • Hendrick’s Kyle Larson has 11 career starts under his belt at Darlington. While he has never won at the track, he has a 10.2 AFP, which is 2nd among all active drivers
  • JGR’s Martin Truex Jr. leads all active drivers with 914 laps led at Darlington in his 22 career starts while picking up 2 wins and 10 top-10 finishes. MTJ will have to work his way up from a starting spot of 31st
  • Wood Brothers Racing’s Harrison Burton finished 6th at Darlington in May. He has a respectable 13.7 AFP in his 3 Cup starts at the track. Burton goes starts 32nd Sunday
  • Kaulig Racing’s Justin Haley produced a top-10 finish in May, and he has ended up inside the top 20 on 3 of his 5 Cup starts at Darlington, while managing a respectable 16.6 AFP
  • Stewart-Haas Racing driver Ryan Preece went for a highlight-reel crash and tumble last weekend at Daytona. He is healthy, and starts 34th Sunday

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2023 Cook Out Southern 500 – Expert pick(s)

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:02 a.m. ET.

DENNY HAMLIN (+500) is always a safe play at Darlington. He has 4 victories in his 22 Cup starts, while 12 of his runs (54.5%) have resulted in a finish inside the top 5. Hamlin was a surprising 12th in the race in May, so he is due to bounce back, too.

If you’re looking for a contender with slightly longer odds, Team Penske driver JOEY LOGANO (+1600) is worth a look. He only has 1 checkered flag in his 19 Cup starts, but he has a respectable 13.3 AFP with 293 laps led and just 1 DNF with 10 top-10 finishes.

In addition, it would be a storybook finish if KEVIN HARVICK (+1600) was able to win in his final Darlington Cup start. He has 3 career victories at the “Track Too Tough to Tame,” and he has ended up 5th or better in 14 of his 31 starts at the track while posting a 12.4 AFP. He was a runner-up to Byron back in May and could easily challenge for checkers in his swan song.

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2023 Cook Out Southern 500 – Long shot(s)

As far as long shots go, look no further than Legacy Motor Club driver ERIK JONES (+5000). He has managed a pair of victories in his 11 career Cup starts, while ending up inside the top 5 on 5 occasions. He has led 132 laps, while managing an impressive 12.0 AFP. He struggled with a 25th-place finish in May, and is looking for the rebound.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Saturday’s 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 from Daytona International Speedway, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

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The NASCAR Cup Series takes center stage Saturday night with the 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 7 p.m. ET (NBC). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400: What you need to know

  • Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon won last summer’s Daytona Coke Zero Sugar 400, posting an average speed of 138.943 mph. He goes off 21st Saturday night.
  • JTG Daugherty Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. picked up checkers at the Daytona 500 back in February to kick off the season. He’ll start 32nd in the 400
  • Stenhouse has 2 Cup victories at Daytona with 4 top-10 finishes, 147 laps led, 5 DNFs and a 19.3 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in his 22 career starts, the ultimate boom-or-bust driver
  • Stewart-Haas Racing driver Chase Briscoe starts from the pole position after managing a 181.822 mph best speed, just edging out teammate Aric Almirola (181.693 mph)
  • Fords occupy the first 3 starting positions Saturday night as well as the 6th, 8th and 12th spots
  • Chevrolet has won the past 2 Cup races at Daytona, and 4 of the past 8 starts, with Ford winning the other 4 events. Toyota hasn’t been to Victory Lane at DIS since Denny Hamlin won the 500 in February 2020
  • Front Row Motorsports driver Riley Herbst starts 6th Saturday. In his only previous Cup run at the track, he posted a top-10 finish
  • Wood Brothers Racing driver Harrison Burton starts 3rd in the iconic No. 21 machine. He has 3 Cup starts under his belt, finishing 19th, 26th and 39th with 1 DNF, good for a dismal 28th AFP
  • 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace is still searching for his 1st Daytona Cup win, but he has been impressive in 12 career starts. He has 4 top-5 runs, 28 laps led and a 13.0 AFP. He starts 4th as the top qualifying Toyota

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2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 – Expert pick(s)

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:50 p.m. ET.

BUBBA WALLACE (+1600) is a value play in Saturday night’s race. He is traditionally at his best on the superspeedways, and he has runner-up finish at the 500 in February 2022. While a Toyota hasn’t been to Victory Lane since Hamlin’s victory in 2020, Wallace is about to make some people very unhappy with a strong win and a Toyota beating a Chevrolet and Ford to checkers.

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2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 – Long shot(s)

Hey, why not CHASE BRISCOE (+3000) at this price? While it’s a rarity for a driver to go wire-to-wire at Daytona, or any superspeedway for that matter, he is on the pole and he has an advantageous pit position, too.

Briscoe has had his issues in 5 career Cup starts at Daytona, posting just a single top-5 run with 5 laps led, a 21.8 AFP and 3 DNFs, which is 60% of his starts. But for a chance to multiply up by 30 times, he is worth a roll of the dice.

If you want an even larger long shot, let’s go with RILEY HERBST (+6000). He starts 6th, and he managed a 10th-place run in his Cup debut back in February. This will be just his 3rd career Cup start for SHR, and easily his most advantageous starting position, after going off 38th at the 500. He finished 10th in his 1st Daytona Cup start, and he was a respectable 20th at Talladega in April after going off 36th.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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2023 Go Bowling at The Glen odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

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The NASCAR Cup Series moves to Watkins Glen International on Sunday for the 2023 Go Bowling at The Glen. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 3 p.m. ET (USA Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Go Bowling at The Glen odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

2023 Go Bowling at The Glen: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson has won the past 2 Cup races at Watkins Glen International, while teammate Chase Elliott won the previous 2 starts in 2018 and 2019
  • Chevrolet has won 4 straight Cup races at Watkins Glen, and Toyota has 2 wins in 2016 and 2017. Ford hasn’t won since Team Penske’s Joey Logano steered his ride to Victory Lane in 2015
  • Kaulig Racing’s A.J. Allmendinger is 2nd behind Elliott among active drivers with at least 3 Cup starts at the track, posting a win and 9.2 Average-Finish Position (AFP)
  • Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch has a pair of wins with a circuit-best 247 laps led in his 17 Cup starts at the road course
  • Busch, Elliott and Larson are the only active drivers with 2 victories at Watkins Glen
  • Denny Hamlin won the pole position at Watkins Glen, his 4th pole of the season, 40th of his Cup career, and 2nd at the track, where he won in 2016
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell has been a quick learner in his 2 Cup starts, finishing 7th and 8th
  • Like Bell, 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick has been solid in his 2 career races at Watkins Glen, ending up 7th and 10th with 2 laps led
  • JGR’s Martin Truex Jr. is always a threat on the road course, and he has a win, 7 top-5 finishes and 10 top-10 runs in 16 career Cup starts with a 10.9 AFP
  • Nothing has been easy for Bubba Wallace Jr. at Watkins Glen, as he has never finished higher than 23rd in 4 career trips while posting a DNF and a 27.8 AFP

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2023 Go Bowling at The Glen – Expert pick(s)

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:15 a.m. ET.

A.J. ALLMENDINGER (+800) is a solid play at this price point. He sort of lurks in the weeds at these road courses, particularly Watkins Glen, and he knows how to strike and improve his position (he’ll start 6th) in the tight turns and chicanes.

In 11 career tries in the Cup Series, ‘Dinger has a win, 4 top-5 finishes, 7 top-10 runs and a 9.2 AFP with 59 laps led. He has never finished lower than 24th place at the track, and he’ll maintain his mastery even in a Kaulig whip.

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2023 Go Bowling at The Glen – Long shot(s)

I am really digging JOEY LOGANO (+4000) at this price. You can multiply your initial wager by 40 times if the Team Penske driver is able to get back to Victory Lane.

He has had mixed results over the years at The Glen, posting a mediocre 16.2 AFP with 4 top-5 finishes and 6 top-10 sowings, but also a DNF and a decrease from a starting average position of 14.2 to an AFP of just 16.2. Still, he is always a threat to win, and for a chance to multiply up by 30 times, he is worth a roll of the dice.

2023 Go Bowling at The Glen prop pick(s)

JOEY LOGANO TOP-10 FINISH (+120)

If you’re a little on the conservative side, and do not want to lay money on Logano to win outright, he is still listed as plus-money to finish 10th or higher. He has finished inside the top 10 in 6 of his 13 Cup starts at the Finger Lakes region track, which is 46.2% of his starts.

ALLMENDINGER OVER AUSTIN CINDRIC (-155)

In the “matchbets” section, you’ll find Kaulig’s Allmendinger as a moderate favorite over Team Penske’s Austin Cindric. Take advantage.

We highlighted Allmendinger’s solid history at the New York road course, but Cindric has managed just a 13th-place finish in his only Cup attempt on the track last season. Allmendinger is a savvy veteran who knows the track inside and out, and he’ll make it work for him, likely finishing well ahead of Cindric.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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2023 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard odds, picks and predictions

Looking at Sunday’s 2023 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard odds at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Sunday for the 2023 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook lines around the 2023 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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2023 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard: What you need to know

  • Kaulig Racing’s A.J. Allmendinger won the inaugural 2021 race on the road course at IMS, and he followed that up with a 7th-place run last season
  • 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick won last season’s road course Cup race in Indy, dramatically improving from a 21st-place run in 2021
  • Allmendinger and Team Penske’s Austin Cindric are the only 2 Cup drivers to finish 10th or better in both starts on the IMS course
  • Cindric’s teammate, Ryan Blaney, posted a runner-up finish in the inaugural Cup race on the course, but tumbled to 26th last season
  • Harrison Burton and Todd Gilliland each recorded top-5 finishes in their IMS road course debuts last season, with Burton ending up 3rd and Gilliland finishing 4th
  • Chevrolet has been the manufacturer to go to Victory Lane in both of the previous road course Cup races at Indy
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez is on the pole for Sunday’s race after turning a best speed of 99.814 mph and best time of 87.968
  • Suarez has been a train wreck in his previous 2 Cup starts on the Indy road course, finishing 28th and 37th, however
  • Last season’s winner, Reddick, will be on the outside of Row 1 in the starting grid
  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott, a road course extraordinaire, goes off 3rd. He finished 4th in the inaugural IMS road race, and 16th last season

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2023 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard – Expert picks

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:25 a.m. ET.

Guess who’s back? Back again? It’s SHANE VAN GISBERGEN (+1200), who won the Chicago street course race in his Cup Series debut. He is worth a small roll of the dice, as he has 1 previous start, and 1 win.

SVG held his own in practice, checking in 12th with a best speed of 97.957 mph, and he was even better in qualifying, slotting in at 8th in the starting grid for Sunday. This guy doesn’t have a lot of driver experience behind the wheel of a stock car, but it certainly doesn’t show.

2023 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard – Long shot

Why not take a chance on A.J. ALLMENDINGER (+2200)? He has been a road-course ringer over the years on the circuit, and he already has a win under his belt in 2 previous starts on the setup.

I love the value in playing AUSTIN CINDRIC (+3000), as he is just 1 of 2 active Cup drivers who has finished 10th or better in each of the 2 previous Cup races on the IMS road circuit.

2023 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard – Prop picks

Look at the head-to-head matchbets, which are also parlayable, I love CHRIS BUESCHER (+115) over Martin Truex Jr., especially at plus-money.

Buescher is the hottest driver in the Cup Series right now, recording back-to-back checkered flags on the short track at Richmond and the tri-oval at Michigan. He has ended up with respectable finishes of 10th and 12th in his 2 previous Cup starts at this track. MTJ, on the other hand, has ended up with finishes of 15th and 21st.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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2023 Firekeepers Casino 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at Sunday’s 2023 Firekeepers Casino 400 odds at Michigan International Speedway with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Michigan International Speedway Sunday for the 2023 Firekeepers Casino 400. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 2:30 p.m. ET (USA Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook lines around the 2023 Firekeepers Casino 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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2023 Firekeepers Casino 400: What you need to know

  • Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell will lead the field to the green flag after posting a best speed of 193.382 mph
  • Bell has made 4 Cup starts at MIS with a best-finish of 13th, while registering a 17.3 Average-Finish Position (AFP)
  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott hasn’t won in 12 Cup starts in Michigan, but he has 3 top-5 finishes, 10 top-10 runs and a circuit-best 8.0 AFP. Elliott goes off 10th Sunday
  • Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers with 6 wins and 16 top-5 finishes in his 42 Michigan Cup starts, while posting 737 laps led — Happy starts from the 22nd spot in the grid
  • Hendrick’s Kyle Larson has racked up 3 checkered flags with 6 top-5 runs in 14 Cup starts, while posting an 11.4 AFP — he’ll start 17th
  • Team Penske’s Joey Logano has managed 3 checkered flags, too, tied with Larson for 2nd-best in the field — Logano fires off from 6th
  • JGR’s Denny Hamlin has posted 2 wins, 11 top-5 finishes and 17 top-10 results in 32 Cup races, while posting a 12.6 AFP
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain has struggled in his 5 career MIS Cup races, posting a 29.8 AFP with 24th place being his best finish in the Irish Hills — He is set to start 2nd
  • Hendrick’s Alex Bowman has managed a 23.5 AFP in 13 career Cup starts at MIS, and he has never finished higher than 9th, while never leading any laps. Bowman goes off 20th Sunday

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2023 Firekeepers Casino 400 – Expert picks

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:09 a.m. ET.

KYLE LARSON (+850) is a strong play at this price, as he is tied for the 5th-shortest odds to win this race. Larson hasn’t won in Michigan since 2017, but he had registered 3 straight victories at the track from August 2016 through August 2017.

In addition, taking KEVIN HARVICK OVER RYAN BLANEY HEAD-TO-HEAD (+100) is a strong value at even-money in the “matchbets” category. Harvick has won 4 of the past 5 races at Michigan, and Ford has picked up 8 straight checkered flags in Irish Hills, much to the satisfaction of Ford executives from nearby Detroit.

2023 Firekeepers Casino 400 – Long shot

If you’re looking for a lottery ticket, CHASE BRISCOE (+20000) is worth a small-unit bet. Briscoe has made 2 Cup starts at Michigan, finishing 11th and 20th, which is good for a 15.5 AFP. While he has never led a lap at MIS, Briscoe is worth a roll of the dice.

If you’re a little more conservative, Michigan native BRAD KESELOWSKI (+1600) might not be your textbook long-shot play, but he is tied for the 13th-shortest odds. He has never won at his home track, while posting 7 top-5 finishes and 13 top-10 runs while leading 258 laps in 25 Cup starts with a strong 12.6 AFP.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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2023 Cook Out 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Richmond Raceway Sunday for the 2023 Cook Out 400. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 3 p.m. ET (USA Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook lines around the 2023 Cook Out 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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2023 Cook Out 400: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson picked up the win on April 2 in the 1st stop this season at Richmond Raceway
  • Larson has finished inside the top 20 in 16 of his 17 career Cup starts at Richmond, posting a 10.8 Average-Finish Position (AFP)
  • Hendrick’s William Byron had a best speed of 117.101 mph in practice to lead all drivers, followed by teammate Chase Elliott at 116.364 mph
  • RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher was the top Ford in practice, posting a best speed of 116.134 mph, while Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christoper Bell was the best Toyota at 115.870 mph
  • 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick is on the pole after posting a 113.689 mph best speed in qualifying, while Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch is on the outside of Row 1 after his 113.636 mph
  • Busch leads all active drivers with 6 Cup wins at Richmond, posting a 7.2 AFP in 35 career starts with 1,530 laps led and 18 top-5 runs
  • Virginia native Denny Hamlin has 4 victories in 33 Cup starts at what is considered his home track, while posting an 8.7 AFP with 2,206 laps led and 17 top-5 finishes
  • If you’re not familiar with Cook Out, by the way, it’s a mostly a regional fast-food chain in the south with amazing burgers and Carolina-style BBQ

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2023 Cook Out 400 – Expert picks

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:29 a.m. ET.

DENNY HAMLIN (+500) is one of the safest plays to win the race outright, if you’re more conservative. He always races well at his home track, posting 4 wins with 17 top-5 finishes and 21 top-10 runs with a circuit-best 2,206 laps led with an 8.7 AFP in 33 career Cup starts.

In addition, it’s a little more on the risky side, but playing HAMLIN OVER LARSON HEAD-TO-HEAD (-142) at FanDuel Sportsbook is worth playing. While Larson won last time out at Richmond, the driver of the No. 11 machine is always in the mix at the 3/4-mile short track.

2023 Cook Out 400 – Long shot

While this might not be a definitely long-shot pick, Penske Racing’s JOEY LOGANO (+2200) is worth a look at this price point.

Logano has 2 wins in his career at Richmond, while posting a 10.2 AFP in 28 career Cup starts, and that’s 4th-best among all drivers with at least 7 starts at the track. It’s hard to believe Logano is available at that price, so take advantage.

Hendrick Motorsports driver ALEX BOWMAN (+5000) has even longer odds. He won at this track in April 2021, and the driver of the No. 48 machine has managed 4 top-10 finishes in his 18 career Cup starts. Yes, he has led just 19 laps at the track in his career, but he has never had a DNF, and he has very long odds for a guy who has been to Victory Lane at the track within the past 2 seasons.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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2023 Highpoint.com 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Highpoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Pocono Raceway Sunday for the 2023 Highpoint.com 400. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 2:30 p.m. ET (USA Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook lines around the 2023 Highpoint.com 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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2023 Highpoint.com 400: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott picked up a win last summer at the “Tricky Triangle” and he has 4 top-5 finishes and 67 laps led with a 14.1 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in 13 Cup starts at the track
  • Elliott’s teammate, William Byron, has never won at Pocono. However, he has 2 top-5 runs, 5 top-10 finishes, 70 laps led and he leads all active drivers with a 9.4 AFP in 9 Cup starts
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers with 6 victories at Pocono, while positng 14 top-5 finishes, 21 top-10 runs, 818 laps led and an 11.8 AFP in 33 Cup starts
  • JGR’s Martin Truex Jr., who won in New Hampshire on Monday, has picked up checkers twice in his career at Pocono, while posting a 14.5 AFP in 33 Cup starts
  • Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch is 2nd to Hamlin among active drivers with 4 wins in his 35 Cup starts with a 15.7 AFP
  • Team Penske’s Austin Cindric struggled in his 1st Cup run at Pocono last season, posting a 31st-place finish
  • Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has had a rough time over the years at Pocono, with no finishes in the Top 10 in his 19 Cup starts

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2023 Highpoint.com 400 – Expert picks

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:15 a.m. ET.

CHASE ELLIOTT (+1600) is the defending champ at this track, and he is a strong value with the 10th-shortest odds on the board.

He has the win last July, 4 top-5 finishes and 8 top-10 results while leading 67 laps with just 1 DNF in his 13 career Cup starts at the track. He is a strong bet as he searches for that playoff-clinching 1st checkered flag of the season.

If you like to be a little more conservative, ELLIOTT TOP-10 FINISH (-160) is still not priced out of line at FanDuel Sportsbook.

If you prefer to play it a little safer, DENNY HAMLIN (+800) has always been money at the track. You can’t go wrong with the No. 11, if you’re not as risky.

2023 Highpoint.com 400 – Long shot

It’s hard to ignore CHRIS BUESCHER (+6600) at this price point. He picked up a victory at Pocono in August 2016 at the track, which was his 1st-ever Cup Series victory.

Buescher has had mixed results in Long Pond over the years, finishing inside the Top 10 on just 2 occasions in 13 Cup runs. He has a rather mediocre 20.8 AFP. Even BUESCHER TOP-10 FINISH (+240 at FanDuel Sportsbook) for a chance to more than double up isn’t a bad play.

2023 Highpoint.com 400 – Prop picks and bets

Looking at the head-to-head race props at FanDuel Sportsbook, there are several solid values.

In a battle of former teammates, and a battle of former multiple winners at the track, DENNY HAMLIN (-118) over Kyle Busch is a strong play. Hamlin leads all active drivers with 6 checkered flags in Long Pond.

I also love ALEX BOWMAN (-108) over Daniel Suarez in another H2H play. Yes, Suarez has a 15.0 AFP in 11 career Cup starts, which is slightly better than Bowman, who has a 17.9 AFP in 13 Cup tries at a triangle. But Bowman also won in June 2021 at the track, and he has finished in the Top 10 on 4 occasions, while leading 34 laps.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2023 Crayon 301 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Monday’s 2023 Crayon 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

Editor’s note: Sunday’s 2023 Crayon 301 was postponed due to rain and will run Monday, starting at noon ET.  Sunday’s original story (below) has been updated.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway Monday for the 2023 Crayon 301. The green flag is set to drop shortly after noon ET (USA Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook lines around the 2023 Crayon 301 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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2023 Crayon 301: What you need to know

  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell is the defending champ in New Hampshire, winning last July to snap a 4-race win streak by Ford
  • Bell has been a quick learner in Loudon, finishing 1st, 5th and 28th in his 3 career Cup starts at the track
  • Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick has won 2 of the past 4 New Hampshire races, and he has picked up checkers 4 times at the flat track in Loudon
  • Harvick, making his final NHMS start, has posted a 12.2 Average-Finish Position (AFP) with 14 top-5 finishes, 23 top-10 runs and 831 laps led in his 39 career Cup starts
  • JGR’s Denny Hamlin has won 3 times in his career at New Hampshire in 29 Cup starts, and he leads all active drivers with a 9.5 AFP
  • Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch has won 3 times at New Hampshire, but this is his 1st start with this new team. He has 11 top-5 finishes, and 16 top-10 runs with a circuit-best 1,134 laps led in his 31 career Cup starts
  • Team Penske’s Joey Logano is good for 2 wins, 8 top-5 runs and 13 top-10 finishes in his 24 career Cup starts, while posting a 14.6 AFP
  • Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell has struggled over the years in New Hampshire, posting a dismal 32.5 AFP in20 career Cup starts with 10 DNFs
  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman has had a hard time in Loudon, too, posting just a single top-10 result in 11 career Cup starts with a 24.3 AFP

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

2023 Crayon 301 – Expert picks

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 3:44 p.m. ET.

KEVIN HARVICK (+1000) is looking for a Hollywood finish to his career, and he is a strong bet to get the all-important win on the flat track where he has been the best.

Harvick leads all active drivers with 4 victories with 14 top-5 finishes in his 39 career Cup starts, while posting a 12.2 AFP. He has had just a single DNF in his career, too.

Even playing KEVIN HARVICK TOP-5 FINISH (+130) at plus-money is a strong bet, as it is not priced out of line.

2023 Crayon 301 – Long shot

It’s not exactly a textbook “long-shot” bet, but seeing JOEY LOGANO (+1300) listed with some rather long odds is a bit surprising.

The Team Penske driver hasn’t won at the track since receiving the celebratory lobster in September 2014. However, Ford has won 4 of the past 5 starts in New Hampshire, and Team Penske should be right there at the end when the dust clears. Playing JOEY LOGANO TOP-5 FINISH (+170) offers solid value and is worth a play. The odds for him to finish in the top 10  was -120, which was a steal, but the juice has since climbed to -165.

2023 Crayon 301 – Prop picks and bets

We’re looking to Harvick and Logano above, so it’s natural to play FORD (+250) at the Manufacturer of the Winning Car.

In addition, LOGANO (+325) can help you multiply your initial wager by 3.25 times if he finishes as the Top Ford Car, while Harvick (+250) is a lesser value if he is the top finisher among his manufacturers’ cars.

I’m also leaning LOGANO (-160) over Ross Chastain (+125) in the head-to-head matchbets section. Saturday, the line had Logano at -120, which I really liked, but it has since climbed. We’ve covered Logano’s solid history at the track above. As for Chastain, he has a so-so 16.5 AFP with just 3 total laps led in his previous 4 career Cup starts at the track.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook..

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