Category: NASCAR odds

Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway sports betting odds and lines, with NASCAR analysis, picks and tips.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. The green flag drops Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FOX. Below, we analyze the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 odds and betting lines, with NASCAR picks and tips with odds from BetMGM sportsbook.

Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500: What you need to know

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 5 at 6:05 p.m. ET.

Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski (+800) is the defending winner of this race, and he picked up checkers last season after starting from the 19th position.

  • The past three winners of the NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta have been in a Ford, with the three previous winners in a Chevrolet. A Toyota hasn’t been to Victory Lane in Atlanta since the AdvoCare 500 in 2013 when Kyle Busch (+650) raced to the win.
  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (+600) has drawn the pole position, as starting spots 1-12 were a random draw from charter teams in those positions in team owner points.
  • The pole sitter hasn’t won in Atlanta in 18 Cup races dating back to Kasey Kahne (now retired) when he won the Golden Corral 500 in his Dodge March 20, 2006.
  • Four of the past six winners in Atlanta have started in position No. 10 or lower in the starting grid.
  • Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick (+450) leads all active drivers with 1,197 laps led in Atlanta. The next closest competitor is Ganassi’s Kurt Busch (+1600) with 802.

Who is going to win the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500?

While a pole sitter hasn’t hoisted the trophy in Atlanta since 2006, ELLIOTT (+600) is always a good choice. He has been running very consistently since the restart of the season and has been in contention for every race since the return.

Elliott leads all active drivers with a 10.5 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in four starts in Atlanta, posting a top-5 run and three top-10 finishes. He has never ended up lower than 19th at the track.

KURT BUSCH (+1600) has three wins under his belt in Atlanta, while turning in seven top-5 showings and 14 top-10 runs in 28 career starts. Plus, he has a strong 14.9 AFP along with those 802 laps led. Father Time isn’t catching up with the veteran – he turns 42 in August – especially as far as Atlanta in concerned, as he leads all drivers with a 6.9 AFP across the past 10 starts at the track. That includes finishes of fourth, seventh, eighth and third over the past four runs.

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KESELOWSKI (+800) is running with a lot of confidence, and is the defending champ of this race. He also won last week at Bristol for his second victory in the past three races. And remember, Ford has been to Victory Lane in each of the past three Atlanta runs, so …

Atlanta Motor Speedway prop bets

KURT BUSCH (-125) is almost a near certainty to finish INSIDE THE TOP 10, so play that. In addition, take the elder BUSCH (-115) over Jimmie Johnson in a head-to-head, best finishing position prop.

Another strong head-to-head play is ARIC ALMIROLA (-115) over Matt DiBenedetto. Almirola hasn’t exactly lit the track afire, but DiBenedetto just has never been able to figure the place out. In four Cup starts, DiBenedetto is 29th, 28th, 31st and 26th.

Atlanta Motor Speedway long-shot bets

Ol’ wily veteran MATT KENSETH (+6000) of Ganassi Racing is worth a roll of the dice here. He has never won in 29 tries in Atlanta, but has turned in 11 top 5s, 17 top 10s and he has led 363 laps in his career. He has an 11.93 AFP, best among all active drivers with at least five starts at the venerable, bumpy track.

If you’re looking for a REAL long shot to bet on, try DANIEL SUAREZ (+50000). He has three Cup starts under his belt in Atlanta, finishing 21st in his debut in 2017, 15th in 2018 and 10th in 2019. Of course, he is now in a more inferior machine, racing for Gaunt Brothers Racing in the No. 96 Toyota rather than his previous years with JGR and one season with SHR, thus the extremely long odds. But hey, it’s worth a $1 bet.

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Food City presents the Supermarket Heroes 500 at Bristol odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Food City presents the Supermarket Heroes 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway sports betting odds and lines, with NASCAR analysis, picks and tips.

The NASCAR Cup Series moves to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City presents the Supermarket Heroes 500. The green flag drops Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.  Below, we analyze the Supermarket Heroes 500 odds and betting lines, with NASCAR picks and tips with odds from BetMGM sportsbook.

Supermarket Heroes 500: What you need to know

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, May 29 at 3:35 p.m. ET.

Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (+900) was able to end his streak of bad luck by capturing checkers at the Alsco Uniforms 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Thursday night. He is among the favorites to win again Sunday.

  • Elliott leads all active drivers with an 11.5 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in eight career starts at Bristol. While he has never won at “The Last Great Colosseum,” he has three top-5 finishes, four top-10 showings and 199 laps led with no DNFs. He took third, 11th and fifth in his past three Bristol starts.
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver KYLE BUSCH (+450) is the favorite, but he just hasn’t been himself. He’s only led 14 laps this season, and all of those occurred at the Daytona 500. That means the No. 18 machine hasn’t been out front in seven races dating back to Feb. 17. He leads all drivers with eight wins at Thunder Valley, posting a 13.45 AFP with 2,333 laps led in 29 career starts. He is sure to get it going at Bristol.
  • Ganassi Racing’s Matt Kenseth (+2500) is second among active drivers with four wins at Bristol. He owns 15 top-5 finishes and 22 top-10 runs in 36 career starts there with a 13.61 AFP and 1,583 laps led.
  • Kenseth’s Ganassi teammate KURT BUSCH (+1400) has managed six wins in 38 career starts at Bristol, second among active drivers only to his younger brother. The elder Busch has 12 top-5 finishes, 20 top-10 results and 1,095 laps led with only three DNFs.
  • Two of the past four pole sitters at Bristol have ended up winning, and four of the past 10 starters from the No. 1 position have come away with checkers.
  • Toyota has won four of the past five starts at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Who is going to win the Supermarket Heroes 500?

Both BUSCH BROTHERS would make for solid plays here – with a KYLE win paying 4.5 to 1 or better yet, a KURT victory scoring a nice 14-to-1 payoff.

Meanwhile, Hendrick Motorsports driver JIMMIE JOHNSON (+2000) is looking to snap a 103-start win drought. He is one of eight active drivers with two or more wins at the track.

The seven-time champ Johnson has a 13.28 AFP in 36 career starts with only 15 of his results outside of the top 10. He also has 914 laps led at Bristol and just one DNF.

Stewart-Haas Racing’s KEVIN HARVICK (+800) had a strong car Thursday night in Charlotte, but he faded late. He is also one of those multiple winners at Bristol, and figures to be right there in the end. He has 912 laps led and a 13.84 AFP in his career at the short track.

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BRAD KESELOWSKI (+1400) of Penske Racing had several years of ugly results at Bristol, but he showed well in last season’s summer “Night Race” with a third-place run. He has two career checkered flags at the short track, as does his teammate JOEY LOGANO (+600). The two Penske drivers have combined to lead 1,461 total laps at Thunder Valley, too. And don’t forget about Penske’s Ryan Blaney (+1600). He finished seventh, fourth and 10th in his past three Bristol runs.

Bristol Motor Speedway long-shot bets

Harvick’s teammate CLINT BOWYER (+2500) has never won in 28 career starts at Bristol, but he is always in the mix. He has seven top-5 showings, 15 top-10 finishes and a strong 14.07 AFP with only two DNFs and 281 laps led. Bowyer is eighth or better in each of his past four Bristol starts. A $10 wager would profit $250 if he claims the checkered flag.

JTG Daugherty’s RICKY STENHOUSE JR. (+4000) turned in a top-5 finish in Thursday’s Charlotte race, and he’ll arrive at Bristol brimming with confidence. He has always showed well at the short track, posting a 14.43 AFP in 14 career starts and just one DNF, although he has never led one lap here. Last season was a train wreck, as he was 33rd in both starts, but he averaged a 7.3 AFP in four starts from Summer 2016 to Spring 2018 at BMS. Backing the 40-to-1 long shot is worth a roll of the dice.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Alsco Uniforms 500 at Charlotte odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Alsco Uniforms 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway sports betting odds and lines, with NASCAR analysis, picks and tips.

The NASCAR Cup Series continues on at Charlotte Motor Speedway Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET for the Alsco Uniforms 500. Below, we analyze the Alsco Uniforms 500 odds and betting lines, with NASCAR picks and tips with odds from BetMGM sportsbook.

Alsco Uniforms 500: What you need to know

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, May 25 at 6:05 p.m. ET.

It was another really entertaining race Sunday evening at the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte. Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski (+900 for Wednesday’s 500) will be looking for the double-dip sweep in the Queen City, but is he a good bet?

  • Keselowski will start from the 20th position Wednesday, as Sunday’s finishing positions 1-20 will be inverted for the starting grid. His four previous stops at CMS resulted in a 19.3 Average-Finish Position (AFP), so go another way.
  • MARTIN TRUEX JR. (+500) is the Alsco Uniforms 500 favorite. He enters with five straight finishes of sixth or better at Charlotte, including Sunday’s sixth-place result. Eight of his past nine starts at the track have been sixth or better, good for a 4.0 AFP.
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver KYLE BUSCH (+600), who took fourth at the 600, admitted after Sunday’s race that he “stole a top 5 (finish)” and that his car was maybe a “ninth-place car at best.”  He hasn’t been hitting on all cylinders so far this season, but he has a 3.7 AFP in his past three Charlotte starts.
  • Rookies Christopher Bell (+15000) and Tyler Reddick (+4000) made their Cup debuts Sunday at Charlotte, with Reddick ending up eighth and Bell finishing ninth.

Who is going to win the Alsco Uniforms 500?

Hendrick Motorsports driver CHASE ELLIOTT (+600) was snake-bitten in each of the past two races, and his bettors definitely suffered a bad beat Sunday. Elliott had what seemed to be an insurmountable lead with two laps to go at the 600, but teammate William Byron (+2000) cut a tire, bringing out the caution flag.

Elliott’s crew chief Alan Gustafson followed by making a questionable call, pitting for four tires. So, Elliott didn’t get to restart from the front and couldn’t make up the difference in the two-lap overtime period. He did work his way all the way up to third by the time the checkered flag waved – and actually received a second-place finish when JIMMIE JOHNSON (+900) failed post-race inspection and was disqualified. Byron, by the way, finished 20th, so he will be the pole-sitter on Wednesday night.

But it’s been back-to-back heartbreakers for the No. 9 car.

Elliott was wrecked late at Darlington by Kyle Busch, turning two potential wins in the past two races into nightmare finishes for Elliott and his bettors.

Meanwhile, seven-time champ JOHNSON (+900) looks to be running with renewed vigor, as he looks to snap a 102-race win drought dating back to June 4, 2017 at Dover. He is getting closer, and is worth a small-unit bet at a track he has fared well in the past.

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Kevin Harvick (+900) of Stewart-Haas Racing quietly posted a fifth-place finish Sunday despite the fact it looked like he just didn’t have it. This is a scary sign for the rest of the field, as he and his team have a few days to figure it out.

The better bet than Harvick, however, might be Hendrick’s ALEX BOWMAN (+800). He led 164 laps at the 600 before settling for a 19th-place finish. He proved earlier at the Auto Club 400 in California that he can win races, and he had a runner-up in Darlington in the first race back.

Charlotte Motor Speedway long-shot bets

Reddick and Bell are strong plays based on their top-10 performances Sunday. However, don’t sleep on RICKY STENHOUS JR. (+10000) for a small-unit wager. He was 13th, 10th and 5th in his prior three stops in Charlotte before a 24th-place run Sunday. He has the tools to not just finish high, but win at this track.

A little less risk AUSTIN DILLON (+8000). He won on this track in the 600 back in May 2017. Dillon posted a 14th-place run in Sunday’s race, and is worth a roll of the dice.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Coca-Cola 600 free NASCAR trivia game

Take part in USA TODAY’s free trivia game around the Coca-Cola 600 and show off your NASCAR knowledge.

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NASCAR continues Sunday with the Coca-Cola 600, coming at you from Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.

USA TODAY has released a new, special trivia game around the Coca-Cola 600, which you can take part in absolutely free. It’s easy to participate and adds some extra excitement to Sunday’s race; the questions are a mixture of race-related prop-bet-like questions to outright winners, who will lead various aspects of the race and more.

Coca-Cola 600 Trivia – How to play

  • Sign up for free at USA TODAY Trivia
  • Select Coca-Cola 600 box among the listings
  • Answer each question with how you believe the Coca-Cola 600 will play out
  • Sit back and watch your “My Stats” results to see how you’re doing

Sign up now for USA TODAY’s Coca-Cola 600 trivia game.

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Coca-Cola 600 – How to watch

When is the Coca-Cola 600?

Sunday, May 24.

What time is the Coca-Cola 600?

The live event will be broadcast starting at 6 p.m. ET.

Where is the Coca-Cola 600 race at?

Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina

How can I watch the Coca-Cola 600?

FOX will carry the event; check your local listings.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway sports betting odds and lines, with NASCAR analysis, picks and tips.

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday at 6 p.m. ET for the Coca-Cola 600. Below, we analyze the Coca-Cola 600 odds and betting lines, with NASCAR picks and tips with odds from BetMGM sportsbook.

Coca-Cola 600: What you need to know

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m. ET.

After a pair of exciting races at Darlington Raceway, NASCAR Cup Series drivers head up to Charlotte for the longest mileage race of the season. Joe Gibbs Racing’s MARTIN TRUEX JR. (+600) is back to defend his crown after winning the grueling Memorial Day weekend race last season. MTJ has won two of the past three tri-oval races at Charlotte, and three of the past six, including two Coca-Cola 600s. As such, he’ll be a popular betting choice.

  • Same-day qualifying will set the field for the Coca-Cola 600, unlike the two previous Darlington races where practice and time trials/qualifying were eliminated. However, the starting grid for next Wednesday’s Charlotte race will be determined by Sunday’s 600 finishing order, using an inversion of positions 1-20, with the positions 21-40 remaining the same.
  • Truex has three wins with seven top-5 results and 11 top-10 showings with 972 laps led and a 14.07 Average-Finish Position in 27 career starts at Charlotte.
  • The winner of the past three Coca-Cola 600 races has been 14th (Truex), 1st (Kyle Busch) and 22nd (Austin Dillon). Three of the past six Coca-Cola 600 races have been won by the pole sitter, however.
  • Toyota has dominated at Charlotte, winning four of the past five Coca-Cola 600 races.

Who is going to win the Coca-Cola 600?

JGR’s KYLE BUSCH (+400) is the overall favorite at Charlotte, as he looks to return to Victory Lane. Busch has just one career win in 30 starts at the Concord, N.C. track, taking checkers in the 2018 installment of the 600.

Busch trails only Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson in laps led at Charlotte Motor Speedway among active drivers, leading the field for 1,449 laps. Johnson has 1,930 in his 35 starts.

DENNY HAMLIN (+900) picked up a victory in Wednesday’s rain-shortened Darlington race, providing his manufacturer with a win at the Toyota 500. As mentioned above, Toyota has dominated the 600 recently, so Hamlin isn’t a bad play to go back-to-back. In fact, all cars in the JGR stable are solid plays this weekend until someone can knock them from the perch.

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Kevin Harvick (+600) of Stewart-Haas Racing and Joey Logano (+850) of Penske Racing are among the top four favorites along with Busch and Truex. Harvick won the Bank of America 500 back in 2014, but hasn’t won a 600 since the 2013 installment when he started 15th. Logano also has a BoA 500 win under his belt, but has yet to pick up checkers in the 600. If you are picking between the two, Happy’s three-career Charlotte wins and eight top-5 showings with a 15.4 AFP is much more attractive than Logano’s six top-5 placements in 20 career starts with a 12.5 AFP at Charlotte.

Charlotte Motor Speedway long-shot bets

Want to think a little outside of the box and go for a long-shot play? Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (+3000) of JTG Daugherty Racing might be worth a roll of the dice. Sure, last Sunday he lasted halfway through Lap 1 at Darlington before an accident, but he’ll put that in the rear-view mirror. His past four starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway have resulted in finishes of 15th, 13th, 10th and 5th, including a 7.5 AFP across his past two 600 starts.

Hendrick’s Alex Bowman (+1200) isn’t exactly a long shot, but anything over +1000 is rather nice when it cashes. He has turned in finishes of ninth and seventh in his past two 600 starts.

Want action on this race? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NASCAR Toyota 500 at Darlington odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Toyota 500 at Darlington Raceway sports betting odds and lines, with NASCAR analysis, picks and tips.

The NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET for the Toyota 500. Below, we analyze the Toyota 500 odds and betting lines, with NASCAR picks and tips with odds from BetMGM sportsbook.

Toyota 500: What you need to know

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, May 19 at 7:25 a.m. ET.

The NASCAR Cup Series guys returned to action last Sunday, with Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick (+400) coming away with the checkered flag, his 50th win at the Cup level. He enters this one as the chalk, but is he the driver to beat?

  • There’s no qualifying for Wednesday’s 500 as the starting lineup is set using the finishing order from Sunday’s run. However, positions 1-20 are inverted, so Harvick starts 20th and Ryan Preece (+20000) will be on the pole after he finished 20th Sunday.
  • Harvick started sixth Sunday, making it six Darlington races in a row where the winner started sixth or better. The last pole winner was Harvick in the 2014 Bojangles Southern 500.
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Erik Jones (+1800) finished eighth Sunday. He has finished eighth or better in all four of his starts at the South Carolina track.
  • Penske Racing driver Brad Keselowski (+900) was second to Harvick’s 159 laps led Sunday with 80. Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman (+800), who finished second, was third in laps lead with 41.

Who is going to win the Toyota 500?

JGR’s Kyle Busch (+700) stumbled to a 26th-place finish in Sunday’s race, a shocking result considering he had posted finishes of seventh or better in seven of his previous eight starts at the “Track Too Tough to Tame.” Despite Sunday’s poor showing, BUSCH IS A SOLID PLAY.

Busch is second among active drivers with 716 laps led across 16 career starts at Darlington, with Harvick leading the way with 740 laps led across 24 starts. However, Busch’s average laps led per start is much better at 44.75 to Harvick’s 30.83.

Busch’s teammate DENNY HAMLIN (+800) posted a fifth-place finish Sunday. He now has two wins, eight top-5 finishes and 12 top-10 showings with 562 laps led across 15 career Darlington starts with a 7.6 Average-Finish Position (AFP). He’ll start 16th Wednesday, and is ALWAYS A WISE PICK at this track.

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Joey Logano (+1100) is an intriguing pick for Wednesday. He starts third behind long shots Preece and Ty Dillon (+25000), but is clearly the most proven driver in the front two rows – Clint Bowyer (+3000) starts in the 4 spot. While Logano has never won at Darlington, he has a 16.6 AFP with three top-5 showings and five top-10 finishes and 103 laps led.

Darlington Raceway long-shot bets

Looking to long shots, Preece and Dillon are obvious picks because of their advantageous starting spots, but will it matter? In four career starts at Darlington, the younger Dillon brother has an AFP of just 18.3, while Preece finished 20th Sunday and 22nd in his only previous start at Darlington last season. Go very, very lightly on these two, if at all.

The better bet might be TYLER REDDICK (+5000). He surprised with a seventh-place run Sunday in his Cup debut at Darlington. As such, his odds are much shorter than they might normally be, but he is still a pretty strong value. JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK (+15000) also might be worth a roll of the dice after a stupendous ninth-place run Sunday.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NASCAR Toyota 200: When to watch and betting odds

When and how to watch Tuesday’s NASCAR Toyota 200 at Darlington Raceway, with NASCAR betting odds.

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Start your engines, racing fans and sports bettors: NASCAR continues with the Toyota 200 at Darlington Raceway, which is part of the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Noah Gragson’s Bass Pro Shops/BRCC Chevrolet will start the Toyota 200 from the pole on the 1.366 mile paved track, which will feature 147 laps of racing action. Kyle Busch’s Thank You Heroes/M&M’s Toyota starts from the 26th spot in row 13.

Per BetMGM sportsbook’s oddsmakers, Busch is the favorite to win the race with -125 odds. New to sports betting? A $100 wager on Busch to win at -125 odds returns a profit of $80 with a Busch victory. At -125, or 4/5 fractional odds, it implies a 55.56% chance he wins. All other drivers are plus-money, which provides plenty of profit opportunity around the race.

Denny Hamlin holds the track race record with a 1:25:14 time and 141.355 mph speed dating back to Sept. 5, 2015.

When is the Toyota 200?

Darlington Raceway hosts the NASCAR Xfinity Series Toyota 200 Tuesday, May 19 at 8 p.m. ET.

Where can I watch the Toyota 200?

You can watch the 2020 Toyota 200 on FS1. Check your local broadcasting for availability.

2020 Toyota 200 at Darlington Raceway odds

Toyota 200 odds via BetMGM sportsbook, last updated May 18 at 1 p.m. ET.

  • Kyle Busch -125
  • Chase Briscoe +600
  • Noah Gragson +900
  • Harrison Burton +1200
  • Justin Allgaier +1200
  • Brandon Jones +1200
  • Ross Chastain +1400

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  • Austin Cindric +1600
  • Riley Herbst +2500
  • Daniel Hemric +2500
  • The Field +3300
  • Michael Annett +5000
  • Ryan Sieg +5000
  • Justin Haley +8000
  • Anthony Alfredo +10000
  • Josh Williams +15000
  • Alex Labbe +15000
  • Timmy Hill +15000
  • Brandon Brown +20000
  • BJ McLeod +20000
  • Myatt Snider +25000
  • Jeffrey Earnhardt +25000
  • Jeremy Clements +30000
  • Joe Graf Jr. +30000
  • Landon Cassill +30000

Want action on this race? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway, with NASCAR betting odds, picks and best bets.

Say goodbye to those virtual races, as the NASCAR Cup Series returns for real at Darlington Raceway Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the betting odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and tips with odds from BetMGM sportsbook.

NASCAR changes: What you need to know

Sunday’s return to action after the pause due to COVID-19 will not have any practice sessions or qualifying. In fact, there will be no practice sessions for any May race, and qualifying will only be held for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte May 24. Here is what we know:

  • Positions 1 through 12 to be determined by a random draw from charter teams in those positions in team owner points
  • Positions 13-24 to be determined by a random draw among charter teams in those positions in owner points
  • Positions 25-36 to be determined by a random draw among charter teams in those positions in owner points
  • Positions 37-40 to be filled out by open, non-chartered teams in order of owner points

NASCAR standings & Darlington odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, May 13 at 1:25 a.m. ET.

A quick perusal of the current standings after four starts shows Stewart-Haas Racing’s (SHR’s) Kevin Harvick (+600 for Sunday’s Darlington race) sitting in first, one point ahead of Penske Racing’s Joey Logano (+750). Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott (+850), Alex Bowman (+1300) and Jimmie Johnson (+2000) are in third through fifth, respectively, while Penske’s Ryan Blaney (+2200) sits sixth. SHR’s Aric Almirola (+5000) is tied for seventh with Kyle Larson (more on him below). Matt DiBenedetto (+5000) of Wood Brothers is ninth, while Penske’s Brad Keselowski (+850) rounds out the top 10.

As for Larson, he was released by Chip Ganassi Racing and indefinitely suspended by NASCAR for uttering a racial slur during a live virtual racing broadcast during the COVID-19 pause. While he has completed a mandated sensitivity training course, Matt Kenseth (+2000) is coming out of retirement to join CGR in the No. 42 car.

Who is going to win Sunday at Darlington Raceway?

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch (+500) is noticeably absent from the top 10 in the standings, but he is actually listed as the race favorite due to his recent run of success at the track. While he hasn’t won in the past 10 stops, he has been 11th or better in each of those starts.

Busch has finished seventh or better in eight of his past 10 starts at Darlington, posting a stellar 11.1 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in his 15 overall runs at the South Carolina track.

Johnson actually leads all active drivers with three wins at “The Lady In Black,” and he has a 12.1 AFP in 21 starts with nine finishes inside the top 5. He has also led 554 laps, fourth-most of any driver. Busch actually leads with 716 laps led, followed by Harvick (581) and Denny Hamlin (+700), another driver currently outside of the top 10 in standings. That could change in a hurry, however.

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Martin Truex Jr. (+800) is also flying a bit under the radar – he won this race in 2016, followed by his JGR teammate Hamlin in 2017. So, definitely do not base your wagering decisions on starting position alone. The past two winners have come from a starting position of 15th and 13th, and the last five winners have been from eighth or lower in the starting grid, so the pole hasn’t amounted to much lately.

Darlington Raceway long-shot bets

If you’re looking to back a long shot, why not Kenseth? He is a rather moderate underdog in his return to the track. Kenseth won at Darlington as recently as the 2013 season, and raced a Cup car in 2018, albeit a 25th-place fun. He has five top-10 starts in his past seven Darlington runs, including the 2013 win, so how amazing of a story would it be if he won Sunday?

SHR’s Clint Bowyer (+5000) has been a disaster at Darlington in recent years, posting a 40th-place run in 2017, a 36th-place finish in 2018 before running sixth last season. He is a great driver, but a long shot for a reason, as he has found the title “Track Too Tough To Tame” apropos. In 14 career Darlington starts, he has a dismal 21.6 AFP with just two top-10 showings and only 17 laps led. Still, a driver of his caliber at this price is worth a small-unit bet, especially with all of the chaos and uncertainty heading into the season restart.

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Start your engines! NASCAR returns in May. Updated Sprint Cup betting odds

NASCAR returns with live events in May, we look at the NASCAR Cup championship odds.

Sports bettors, start preparing your racing wagers. NASCAR is back!

In an official release, NASCAR announced they’ll have live racing return starting May 17.

Two race tracks – Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway – will play host to seven races during May. The schedule will include four NASCAR Cup Series events, highlighted by the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Fans won’t be in attendance at these races and NASCAR is eliminating practice for all events, as well as qualifying — except for the Coca-Cola 600.

Updated NASCAR May Schedule

Sunday, May 17 – Cup Series – Darlington Raceway – 3:30 p.m. ET

Tuesday, May 19 – Xfinity Series – Darlington Raceway – 8 p.m. ET

Wednesday, May 20 – Cup Series – Darlington Raceway – 7:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, May 24 – Cup Series – Charlotte Motor Speedway – 6 p.m. ET

Monday, May 25 – Xfinity Series – Charlotte Motor Speedway – 7:30 p.m. ET

Tuesday, May 26 – Gander Series – Charlotte Motor Speedway – 8 p.m. ET

Wednesday, May 27 – Cup Series – Charlotte Motor Speedway – 8 p.m. ET

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2020 NASCAR Energy Cup Series Winner Odds

Photo Credit: Randy Sartin – USA TODAY Sports

Odds from BetMGM sportsbook, last updated May 1.

Kevin Harvick +500

Kyle Busch +500

Joey Logano +600

Martin Truex Jr. +700

Brad Keselowski +1000

Chase Elliott +1000

Denny Hamlin +1200

Jimmie Johnson +1200

Kyle Larson +1600

Ryan Blaney +2000

Alex Bowman +2500

William Byron +2500

Clint Bowyer +4000

Erik Jones +4000

Kurt Busch +4000

Aric Almirola +5000

Matt DiBenedetto +5000

Cole Custer +10000

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +10000

Tyler Reddick +10000

Austin Dillon +20000

Chris Buescher +20000

Ty Dillon +25000

Christopher Bell +50000

Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. +50000

John Hunter Nemechek +50000

Michael McDowell +50000

Ryan Preece +50000

Brennan Poole +100000

David Ragan +100000

Ryan Newman +100000

Daniel Suarez +100000

Quin Houff +250000

Reed Sorenson +250000

BJ McLeod +500000

Brendan Gaughan +500000

Garrett Smithley +500000

J.J. Yeley +500000

Joey Gase +500000

Justin Haley +500000

Ross Chastain +500000

Timmy Hill +500000

Chad Finchum +500000

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.