2023 Monaco Grand Prix odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Monaco Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco, with Formula 1 expert picks and predictions.

The Formula 1 World Championship races through the streets of Monte Carlo on Sunday for the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 8 a.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix odds, and make our expert picks and predictions, including NASCAR’s best bets.

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2023 Monaco Grand Prix: What you need to know

  • Spain’s Fernando Alonso has managed to reach the podium 4 times in 5 Formula 1 starts this season, including a 3rd-place finish at the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix May 7
  • Belgium’s Max Verstappen has been tremendously consistent, taking his Red Bull Honda to Victory Lane 3 times in 5 starts, with his other 2 finishes resulting in runner-up runs. Verstappen was 3rd last season in Monaco
  • Mexico’s Sergio Perez, the defending winner at Monaco, has posted wins at the STC Saudi Arabian GP, as well as the Azerbaijan GP, while hitting the podium a total of 4 times in 5 starts. His worst finish was 5th place in Australia, a race he started 20th
  • Lewis Hamilton hasn’t dominated like past seasons, managing just a single podium in 5 starts this season, a runner-up at the Rolex Australian GP. He was 8th in Monaco last season
  • George Russell of Team Mercedes has had some uneven results despite favorable starting positions. He hasn’t been on the podium in 5 races. He was 5th last season at Monaco

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2023 Monaco Grand Prix – Expert pick

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:45 a.m. ET.

SERGIO PEREZ (+500) picked up the victory last season at Circuit de Monaco, and he is a tremendous value for a chance to multiply your initial wager by 5 times.

Perez has been a model of consistency this season, hitting the podium in 4 of his 5 races. Max Verstappen (+100) is the chalk, but he settled for 3rd place last season after winning the 2021 installment. Perez has a legitimate chance at a Formula 1 championship this season, and a win at Monaco would be huge for the Mexican driver, Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate.

2023 Monaco Grand Prix – Long shot

While LEWIS HAMILTON (+2500) has posted some ugly numbers this season, he has topped the podium twice in the past 6 races at the Monaco Grand Prix since 2016.

Hamilton hasn’t touched the podium this season, but it’s crazy seeing the 6-time World Champion with such long odds. It’s worth a roll of the dice, hoping he can regain his composure and form.

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

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2023 NASCAR All-Star Open and All-Star Race odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 All-Star Open and All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, N.C., with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway Sunday for the 2023 All-Star Open and All-Star Race. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 5:30 p.m. ET (FS1) for the Open, and 8 p.m. ET (FS1) for the All-Star Race. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 All-Star Open and All-Star Race odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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All-Star Open and All-Star Race: What you need to know

  • The All-Star Open features 16 drivers, with Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ty Gibbs leading the field from Row 1 with Josh Berry of Hendrick Motorsports
  • Rick Ware Racing brings back veteran Ryan Newman for the Open, and he’ll go off 14th in the No. 51 Chevrolet
  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson posted a best speed of 109.144 mph in Friday’s practice to lead all drivers. Larson also won the Truck Series race on Saturday afternoon
  • 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace ran 5th in Saturday’s Truck Series race. It was a huge improvement over his 22nd-place showing in Friday’s practice in a Cup car
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain posted a 9th-place run in the Trucks race Saturday, also an improvement over his 16th-place showing in Friday’s Cup practice
  • Hendrick’s William Byron, last week’s winner in Darlington, was 7th in practice Friday, and he turned in an 11th-place run in the Trucks race
  • RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski was 2nd in Friday’s practice session, posting a 108.408 mph best speed

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All-Star Open and All-Star Race – Expert picks

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 12:47 a.m. ET.

CHANDLER SMITH (+4000) is worth a roll of the dice in the All-Star Open. In Friday’s practice behind the wheel of the No. 13 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, he handled himself with aplomb.

Smith posted an overall lap average of 21.758 seconds, including a 5-lap average of 21.218 seconds. That 5-lap average was better than Cup regulars Joey Logano (21.305), Ross Chastain (21.382), and nearly on par with Kyle Larson (21.202), just to name a few.

Smith is worth a roll of the dice in the Open for a chance to multiply up by 30.

In the All-Star Race at 8 p.m. ET, KYLE LARSON (+800) is the obvious play. As mentioned, he turned in a 5-lap track average of 21.202 seconds in Friday’s practice, and he has the confidence of winning Saturday’s truck race. North Wilkesboro seems to agree with the Hendrick Motorsports driver, and he has used his knowledge of the track from eSports to his advantage in real-life racing.

All-Star Race – Long shot

While ROSS CHASTAIN (+1800) certainly wears the black hat in the NASCAR Cup Series, as he always seems to be in the middle of some kind of driver controversy, he is also very productive. Bettors have found him to be a dependable meal ticket.

While Chastain was a disappointing 29th last week at Darlington after going off 5th, he has a pair of top-5 runs in the 2 races prior to South Carolina. He also has been in the Top 5 in 4 of his last 8 races overall, and 5 times this season. He hasn’t scored checkers just yet, but he has shown he is a threat on tri-ovals, intermediates and road tracks, showing tremendous versatility.

At this price point, he is a nice value at North Wilkesboro, and he showed well in the Trucks race, getting a lay of the land.

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

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2023 Goodyear 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Goodyear 400 in Darlington, S.C., with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series is at Darlington Raceway Sunday for the 2023 Goodyear 400. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 3 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Goodyear 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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Goodyear 400: What you need to know

  • Team Penske driver Joey Logano won the spring Darlington race in May 2022, while Legacy Motor Club driver Erik Jones posted a win in the September race at the “Track Too Tough to Tame”
  • Jones is one of just 5 active Cup drivers with 2 or more victories at Darlington
  • JGR’s Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers with 4 wins at Darlington, while posting a 7.5 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in 21 career Cup starts
  • Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch leads all drivers with 899 career laps led at Darlington, while posting a solid 13.7 AFP with a win, 6 top-5 finishes and 13 top-10 runs in 22 career Cup starts
  • JGR’s Martin Truex Jr. has managed 2 wins, 4 top-5 runs and 10 top-10 finishes in 21 career Cup starts at Darlington while turning in a 12.4 AFP
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has struggled in his Cup career at Darlington, posting a dismal 23.7 AFP in 14 career Cup starts with 2 DNFs
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain has had a difficult time at Darlington over the years, posting a 21.9 AFP in 7 career Cup starts with just 1 top-10 finish
  • 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace has also had a tough go of it at Darlington, posting a 22.6 AFP with just 1 top-10 run and 2 DNFs in his 9 career Cup starts at the South Carolina track

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Goodyear 400 – 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 12:27 a.m. ET.

DENNY HAMLIN (+1100) has been the gold standard at Darlington, and you can’t go wrong picking the guy who leads all active drivers both in victories and AFP.

Among the favorites, MARTIN TRUEX JR. (+800) is also a solid bet. He picked up the win at Dover 2 weeks ago, and he has posted back-to-back top-10 finishes, while ending up 8th or better in 4 of his last 5 Cup starts. MTJ has 2 career wins at the track, one of 5 active drivers with multiple victories at the “Lady in Black”. He also has 10 top-10 runs in 21 career Cup starts, while posting an average rating of 103.3.

Goodyear 400 – Long shot

While ERIK JONES (+3000) has had a rather brutal 2023 campaign for the Legacy Motor Club, he can wash it all away at arguably one of his best tracks.

Jones was 21st in Kansas last week, and he has finished 14th or worse in 10 of his 12 Cup starts this season. However, he won the spring race in Darlington last year, and he is a great option to multiply your initial wager by 30.

Goodyear 400 prop pick(s)

ERIK JONES (+190) over Christopher Bell

As mentioned above, Jones has really enjoyed himself over the years at Darlington. In fact, he has a 10.7 AFP in 10 career Cup starts with 2 wins, 5 top-5 finishes and 7 top-10 runs with 132 laps led. He is 3rd among all active drivers in AFP.

Bell has never won at the South Carolina track, while posting just a single top-5, and 2 top-10 finishes in 7 career Cup starts while managing a mediocre 16.3 AFP. For a chance to nearly double up, Jones is worth a roll of the dice.

ERIK JONES (+120) TOP-10 FINISH

If you don’t like Jones in the matchups bet section, he is still a value play at plus-money to finish 10th or better. Jones has finished in the Top 10 in 70% of his 10 career Cup starts, leading 132 laps. There is some risk, obviously, as he has been pretty terrible in 2023, and he also has 2 DNFs in his 10 starts at the track.

TOP TOYOTA – DENNY HAMLIN (+230)

Hamlin is worth playing for a chance to more than double up. I like Hamlin to win this race, but just in case he doesn’t, there is still a very good chance he’ll be one of the top Toyota drivers. Truex Jr. (+275) is also worth a roll of the dice if you’re backing him to win.

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

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2023 AdventHealth 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 AdventHealth 400 in Kansas, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series is at Kansas Speedway Sunday for the 2023 AdventHealth 400. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 3 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 AdventHealth 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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AdventHealth 400: What you need to know

  • 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace picked up checkered in the fall race at Kansas, while Kurt Busch was the winner last spring
  • Toyota has been to Victory Lane in 3 of the past 4 NASCAR Cup Series stops at Kansas Speedway, while Toyota has won 5 of the past 7 races at the track, too
  • Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick is tied with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin and Team Penske’s Joey Logano among active drivers with 3 wins at Kansas
  • Harvick also leads all active drivers with a 9.9 Average-Finish Position (AFP) at Kansas, and 949 career laps led
  • While Logano has the 3 wins, he also has a subpar 17.1 AFP with 4 SNFs
  • Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell leads all active drivers with 7 DNFs in just 23 Cup Series starts at Kansas, and he has an abysmal 27.6 AFP
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain has struggled in his Cup Series career at Kansas, posting a dismal 20.5 AFP in 8 career starts
  • JTG Daugherty Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has had a difficult time at Kansas, posting just a single top-10 result and a 20.1 AFP in 20 career Cup runs

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AdventHealth 400 – Expert pick

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:15 a.m. ET.

CHASE ELLIOTT (+1200) is a tremendous value at this price.

The driver of the No. 9 machine rolls in with an 11.2 AFP, 2nd only to Harvick among active drivers at Kansas. In 14 career Cup starts, he has a win, 6 top-5 finishes and 8 top-10 runs while leading 197 laps. Elliott has also never had a DNF at Kansas Speedway.

AdventHealth 400 – Long shot

Again, KEVIN HARVICK (+1800) has 3 career Cup wins at Kansas, and his AFP is better than all active drivers.

Harvick started the season well, posting 3 top-5 finishes in a 7-racing span from Feb. 26 to April 9, but he has been 19th or worse in the past 3 outings. There is plenty of risk here, but Harvick has always run well at Kansas, and Sunday will be no exception.

If you want a little bit more of a safer play, check out HARVICK TOP 5 FINISH (+240) for a chance to still more than double up.

AdventHealth 400 prop pick(s)

CHRISTOPHER BELL (-110) over William Byron

Bell has acquitted himself well at Kansas during his Cup career, posting a respectable 12.8 AFP in 6 Cup starts with 4 finishes inside the Top 10 and 49 laps led. He has been as high as 3rd at Kansas, too.

Byron hasn’t had the same kind of success, posting a 15.1 AFP in 10 career Cup starts, but he has just a single top-5 finish at the track, while crashing out in 2 of the 10 Cup runs.

TOP TOYOTA – CHRISTOPHER BELL (+360)

We hit Martin Truex Jr. as the Top Toyota last week at Dover, and now we’ll look to ring the register with Bell.

As mentioned, he has enjoyed some nice success at Kansas in the past, and he’ll be up front running for a win Sunday evening. He was 6th at Dover last week and 8th at Talladega the week prior. He has been 8th or better in 4 of his past 5 Cup Series starts, too.

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

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2023 Wurth 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Monday’s 2023 Wurth 400 in Dover, Del., with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series is at Dover Motor Speedway Monday for the 2023 Wurth 400 after rain postponed Sunday’s scheduled start. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after noon ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Wurth 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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Wurth 400: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott won last season’s stop at Dover, posting an average speed of 104.507 mph, the slowest average winning speed since Sept. 23, 2007
  • Elliott has managed 2 victories in 12 career Cup starts at DMS, posting 9 top-5 finishes, 394 laps led and a tremendous 9.8 Average-Finish Position (AFP)
  • Elliott’s teammate, Kyle Larson, has also been strong at Dover, going for a win, 7 top-5 runs, 11 top-10 finishes, 899 laps and a 6.9 AFP to lead all active drivers
  • New Jersey native Martin Truex Jr. considers Dover his home track and has always done well here, with 3 career Cup checkered flags in the Delaware capital city and an 11.8 AFP in 32 starts
  • Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch, fresh off his win at Talladega, looks to go back-to-back. He has 3 career Cup wins in 34 Dover starts, posting 1,316 laps led with a 14.0 AFP
  • Team Penske’s Austin Cindric made his 1st Cup start at Dover last season, and it was a disaster, finishing 36th
  • Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell has struggled in his career at Dover, posting a dismal 31.0 AFP with 9 DNFs in 22 Cup starts
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain has also had his issues on the cement at Dover, posting a 25.3 AFP with 1 DNF in 8 Cup runs

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Wurth 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 12:58 a.m. ET.

CHASE ELLIOTT (+600) is a strong play at this price point, as he is the defending champ, and he has run well at this track in his career. In fact, Hendrick Motorsports, in general, is usually in contention. Both Elliott and favorite  KYLE LARSON (+400) should be at the top of everybody’s list for the win on Sunday. Elliott obviously represents the better value, however.

Wurth 400 – Long shot

It’s hard to believe, as KYLE BUSCH (+1200) has 2 wins, but he has some rather long odds Sunday. He is coming off a checkered flag showing on the superspeedway at Talladega, and now he arrives at one of his better tracks.

Busch has won 3 times at Dover, while cashing in the Top 5 on 13 occasions. Yes, he has 7 DNFs at the Monster Mile, but he also has been out front of the pack for 1,316 laps. He knows how to win here, so it’s rather surprising to see such long odds.

Wurth 400 prop pick(s)

CHASE ELLIOTT (-175) over Ross Chastain

You’ll have to eat a little chalk here, but the risk is worth it.

As mentioned, Elliott is the defending champ, and he has been one of the best at Dover in his 12 career Cup starts. He has led 394 laps, winning this race twice, while 75% (9-of-12) of his starts have resulted in top-5 finishes.

Chastain has just a single top-5 finish with a DNF in 8 career Cup starts, posting a dismal 25.3 AFP. This should be easy money for backers of the No. 9 Chevy machine.

TOP TOYOTA – MARTIN TRUEX JR. (+230)

Truex picked up his 1st-ever Cup Series win at Dover at the Autism Speaks 400 on June 4, 2007, and this has always been a special track for him.

While he was collected in “The Big One” at Talladega last week, tumbling to 27th, he had 3 consecutive finishes of 11th or better prior to ‘Dega. That includes a 3rd-place showing at Martinsville 2 weeks ago, his best finish of the season in a points race. Look for Truex to show out at one of his favorite tracks.

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

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2023 GEICO 500 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 GEICO 500 in Talladega, Ala., with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series is at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday for the 2023 GEICO 500. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 3 p.m. ET (FOX) from Talladega, Ala. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 GEICO 500 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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GEICO 500: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott posted the win at Talladega last fall, turning in an average speed of 153.569 mph, best among all drivers since April 2019, his 1st win at ‘Dega
  • Elliott has 2 wins with 5 top-5 finishes in 14 career Cup starts at Talladega with a 14.2 Average-Finish Position (AFP), best among all drivers with at least 3 Cup starts at the track
  • TrackHouse Racing driver Ross Chastain won the spring race with an average speed of 148.637 mph
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin is on the pole after posting a 180.751 mph best speed in qualifying Saturday
  • Brad Keselowski has 6 checkered flags at Talladega with 13 top-10 runs in 28 Cup starts with a 15.7 AFP and 4 DNFs
  • Team Penske driver Joey Logano is 2nd among all active drivers with 3 wins at Talladega, posting a 17.9 AFP with 9 DNFs in 28 career Cup starts
  • Last week’s winner at Martinsville, Kyle Larson, has struggled at Talladega. He has just 1 top-5 run, and 3 top-10 finishes, in 16 Cup starts with a dismal 22.8 AFP

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GEICO 500 – 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 1:29 a.m. ET.

Team Penske driver RYAN BLANEY (+1000) has a pair of Talladega victories to his name, and he has finished in the Top 5 on 4 different occasions, while leading 228 laps. Blaney also has a respectable 16.0 AFP, with just 4 DNFs in his 17 career Cup starts.

He is a strong value, and he is in desperate need of a victory at a track he has had success. Blaney was a runner-up at Phoenix, but he has been 21st or worse in 4 of his last 8 Cup starts. The time is now for a good finish, and a start at Talladega could be the elixir to cure his ills.

GEICO 500 – Long shot

Front Row Motorsports TODD GILLILAND (+6600) is worth playing lightly, as he has really been running well in recent weeks.

The driver of the No. 36 Ford machine turned in an 8th-place run on the dirt at Bristol 2 weeks ago. He was running well at Martinsville last week, too, posting 4 bonus points after starting a season-best 13th. However, he tumbled down the leaderboard late after running as high as 2nd before dropping a cylinder.

Gilliland’s 25th-place finish at Martinsville due to the mechanical issues snapped a 4-race streak finishing 15th or higher.

GEICO 500 prop picks

AUSTIN CINDRIC OVER AUSTIN HILL (-115)

Odds from Caesars sportsbook.

Team Penske’s Cindric has finished 9th and 21st in his pair of Talladega Cup starts, good for at 15.0 AFP. It isn’t a huge sample size, but remember, Cindric also has a Daytona 500 win under his belt, and he is more proven on the superspeedway. The 29-year-old Hill was on the pole at the Xfinity race Saturday, but running in Cup is a much different animal.

KYLE BUSCH OVER KYLE LARSON (-110)

Odds from Caesars sportsbook.

In a little Kyle-on-Kyle action, Rowdy is the play in this head-to-head matchup.

Busch has had mixed results over the years at Talladega, but he does have a win and 9 top-10 finishes in his 35 career Cup starts at the superspeedway. Of course, he also has 7 DNFs, too, as he has been collected in “The Big One” quite frequently.

Larson has really struggled in his 16 Cup starts at the track, however, finishing in the Top 10 just 3 times with 5 DNFs and a terrible 22.8 AFP.

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

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2023 Noco 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Food City Dirt Race in Bristol, Virginia, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series is at Martinsville Speedway Sunday for the 2023 Noco 400. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 3 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1) from Martinsville, Va. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Noco 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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Noco 400: What you need to know

  • Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Preece posted a best speed of 94.780 mph to earn his 1st-career NASCAR Cup Series poll.
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez was right on the heels of Preece, posting a qualifying speed of 94.298 mph, and he goes off on the outside of Row 1.
  • Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron won the race last spring at Martinsville, while Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell won the fall race.
  • Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney has never won at Martinsville, but he leads all active drivers with a 9.7 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in 14 career Cup starts. Unfortunately, he goes off from 31st Sunday.
  • JGR’s Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers with 5 career Cup wins at Martinsville, while posting a 10.5 AFP with 2,190 laps led.
  • SHR’s Aric Almirola and Chase Briscoe will start on Row 2 behind their teammate Preece.
  • TrackHouse’s Ross Chastain had an awful time in qualifying, and he will go off 34th after a best speed of just 91.838 mph.
  • Hendrick’s Chase Elliott (leg) returns after a 6-week absence due to a fractured leg and will makes his 1st start since the race at Auto Club Speedway on Feb. 26.

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Noco 400 – 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 6:18 a.m. ET.

The Virginia native DENNY HAMLIN (+900) is a solid bet. He leads all active drivers with 5 Cup wins at the short track, and he has led 2,190 laps while posting a 10.5 AFP. Half of his Cup starts have resulted in finished of 5th or better, too, while 23 of his 34 Cup starts have been top-10 runs, which is roughly two-thirds (67.6%) of his all-time starts at the track.

Noco 400 – Long shot

I picked DANIEL SUAREZ (+1800) last week on the dirt at Bristol, and it didn’t come into fruition. The TrackHouse Racing driver is worth a roll of the dice again this week, however. He was solid in qualifying, and goes off 2nd in Sunday’s starting grid.

Suarez has long odds for good reason, despite his favorable starting spot. In 12 career Cup starts, he has finished 10th or better just twice, and he has never led a lap, while posting a dismal 22.5 AFP. Too bad you couldn’t hit this earlier in the week, as Suarez opened up at +5500.

Noco 400 prop picks

RYAN PREECE – TOP-5 FINISH (+180)

Odds from Caesars sportsbook.

Preece starts on the pole, and Stewart-Haas Racing has 3 drivers in the 1st 2 rows this weekend, so this team has the right setup for “The Paperclip.”

Preece has always struggled at this track, posting just 3 top-20 finishes in 7 career Cup starts, while posting an awful 27.7 AFP with 2 DNFs. But this is his best machinery yet, and like Suarez above, Preece is worth a roll of the dice based on his ultra-favorable starting position and tremendous qualifying effort. Just proceed with caution.

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

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2023 Food City Dirt Race odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Food City Dirt Race in Bristol, Virginia, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series is at Bristol Motor Speedway Sunday for the 2023 Food City Dirt Race. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 7 p.m. ET (FOX) from Bristol, Tenn. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Food City Dirt Race odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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Food City Dirt Race: What you need to know

  • Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch is the defending winner on the Bristol dirt track last April, posting an average speed of 34.973 mph in a race which featured 14 caution flags on 82 laps
  • Team Penske’s Joey Logano posted the 1st win on the Bristol dirt  on March 29, 2021, posting an average speed of 46.313 mph
  • Logano has finished 1st and 3rd in his 2 starts on the dirt at Bristol, leading 61 laps after averaging a 10.0 Average-Start Position
  • 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick has never won at the dirt track at BMS, but he has finished 2nd and 7th in his pair of Cup starts
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. has finished 19th and 21st in his 2 starts despite leading 126 laps in the 2 dirt races at Bristol, most among any active driver
  • TrackHouse Racing driver Daniel Suarez has finished 4th and 12th in his 2 Cup starts on the dirt, leading 122 laps, 2nd-best to MTJ
  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (leg) remains sidelined, so Josh Berry will once again be behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet

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Food City Dirt 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 12:16 a.m. ET.

TYLER REDDICK (+450) is the No. 2 chalk (behind Kyle Larson +400) this weekend, and for good reason. He has finished 2nd and 7th in his pair of Cup starts on the Bristol dirt, while leading a total of 99 laps. He has done that while averaging a starting spot of 15.0, too, moving up to an Average-Finish Position (AFP) of 4.5.

There’s much to like about the driver of the No. 45 Toyota, who is already in the playoffs thanks to his win at COTA.

Food City Dirt Race – Long shot

Looking a little further down the list, DANIEL SUAREZ (+4000) has finished well in his 2 starts on the BMS dirt, leading the 122 laps, while posting finishes of 4th and 12th. There’s just something that he really likes about racing on the dirt surface, moving up from an Average-Start Position of 19.5 to an AFP of 8.0. He’ll be on the move this weekend, and is a dark horse to snatch checkers Sunday night.

Food City Dirt Race prop picks

JOEY LOGANO – TOP 5 FINISH (+150)

It’s hard to believe that you can find plus-money odds for Logano to finish in the Top 5. He has finished 1st and 3rd in his 2 Bristol dirt Cup starts, moving up from an Average-Start Position of 10.0 to post a 2.0 AFP with 61 laps led. He is also best among all drivers with an Average Rating of 122.4. There is an outside chance he waves checkers again, and no one would be surprised.

KYLE BUSCH – TOP 5 FINISH (+180)

Another stunning number is seeing Busch’s Top 5 number, as you have a chance to nearly double up. Bristol is one of Busch’s best tracks overall, and he won on the dirt surface last time out, too.

He was just 17th in the 1st installment of this race in 2021, but it was a muddy mess. Busch acclimated nicely last season, and picked up the victory in the Coliseum. He is dangerous to win anytime he steps onto the track at Bristol, dirt, asphalt or otherwise.

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2023 Toyota Owners 400 odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Toyota Owners 400 in Richmond, Virginia, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series is at Richmond Raceway Sunday for the 2023 Toyota Owners 400. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1) from Richmond, Va. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Toyota Owners 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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Toyota Owners 400: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman is on the pole after qualifying was washed out Saturday
  • Bowman has a win at Richmond in 13 Cup starts, but also just 3 top-10 finishes with a dismal 19.6 Average-Finish Position (AFP)
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell leads all Cup drivers (min. 5 starts) with a 6.0 AFP in 5 starts at Richmond, including 4 top-10 finishes. Bell will go off 21st Sunday
  • Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch has picked up 6 checkered flags in 34 career Cup starts at Richmond, posting a 7.0 AFPO with 1,529 laps lead. Rowdy starts on the outside of Row 1 Sunday
  • Virginia native Denny Hamlin has registered 4 career Cup victories while leading all active drivers with 2,135 laps led in Richmond. The No. 11 machine starts in the 11th spot
  • Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick is tied with Hamlin for 2nd among all active drivers with 4 career Cup wins at Richmond, while posting a solid 9.7 AFP. Happy goes off 10th on Sunday
  • Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell has struggled in his Cup career at the short track in Richmond, posting a 31.5 AFP in 23 starts. Mack will start from the 15th position in the grid
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain has had a hard time at Richmond, going for just 1 top-10 finish and a 23.3 AFP in 8 career Cup starts. The watermelon farmer begins his race in the 4th spot

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Toyota Owners 400 – 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 1:01 a.m. ET.

KYLE BUSCH (+700), who has already punched his ticket to the playoffs with a win at Auto Club, has really settled in nicely with his new RCR team, and any worries of a fall-off from his JGR days were greatly exaggerated.

He was a runner-up last weekend at COTA, and now he goes to one of his best tracks historically. Look for the No. 8 machine to be in the mix for checkers.

Toyota Owners 400 – Contender

CHRISTOPHER BELL (+1100) should give JGR a chance to win. He has never finished lower than 15th in his 5 career Cup starts at Richmond, while leading 73 laps. He hasn’t won at Richmond yet, but he has a runner-up finish while posting a 6.0 AFP. Only 4 of his 6 starts have been outside of the Top 10, too.

Toyota Owners 400 – Long shot

If you’re looking for a driver with some longer odds, BRAD KESELOWSKI (+4000) certainly fits the bill. The RFK Racing driver had a disastrous 2022 debut with his new team, but he has shown signs of life this season. He was 7th at Auto Club, and he had a runner-up finish in Atlanta.

Sure, he tumbled to 35th at COTA last weekend, but he has always been a beast on the short track at Richmond. He has won twice in 26 Cup starts in Virginia’s capital city, while posting 6 top-5 finishes and 1,177 laps led.

Toyota Owners 400 prop picks

DENNY HAMLIN OVER MARTIN TRUEX JR. (-120)

This is like taking candy from a baby. Load up. I love these matchup plays on BetMGM Sportsbook, and you will, too, after playing this prop.

Hamlin has managed an 8.4 AFP in 32 career Cup starts with 4 checkered flags at his home track. The Chesterfield, Va., native always brings it at Richmond. Yes, MTJ has 3 wins in his career, but he also has 4 DNFs, and a mediocre 15.7 AFP in 33 career starts at the 3/4-mile short track.

ALEX BOWMAN OVER DANIEL SUAREZ (-165)

This was going to be an attractive play originally, but it is especially so after qualifying was washed out and Bowman is going off from the pole position.

Bowman has had some uneven results at the track, but he has been bringing it all season in 2023. He was 3rd at COTA last weekend, and he has finished 9th or better in 5 of his 6 Cup starts this season.

Suarez, on the other hand, has a better AFP at Richmond at 15.5 AFP in 11 Cup starts, but he has been 22nd or worse in his past 3 starts, including a 27th-place showing last week at COTA.

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

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2023 Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix odds, picks and predictions

Looking at the odds for Sunday’s 2023 Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, with NASCAR expert picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series moves to Circuit of the Americas on Sunday for the 2023 Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix. Green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX) from Austin, Texas. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the 2023 Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.

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Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott won the inaugural race at COTA in May 2021, but remains sidelined. Jordan Taylor will take his place
  • Taylor was 10th in Saturday’s practice session, turning a best speed of 92.404 mph, and he qualified 4th with a speed of 93.174 mph. He’ll start on the outside of Row 2 on Sunday
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain picked up checkers in last season’s race, and he was 4th in the 2021 run, so he has managed a 2.5 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in 2 Cup starts at COTA
  • Hendrick’s Alex Bowman hasn’t won in 2 Cup starts in Austin, but he has a 2nd-place run, and an 8th-place showing, while leading 3 laps
  • Hendrick’s William Byron is on the pole after a best speed of 93.882 mph, with 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick on the outside of Row 1. Reddick also topped Saturday’s practice session at 92.989 mph
  • Team Penske’s Austin Cindric is the top Ford in the starting grid, qualifying in the 3rd position
  • Michael McDowell has run well in his 2 Cup starts at COTA, finishing 7th and 13th, for an AFP of 10.0. He has led 3 laps total
  • 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace has been awful in his 2 COTA experiences, posting 2 DNFs with an AFP of 38.5
  • Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has also struggled at Circuit of the Americas, posting a 22nd-place finish, and a 37th-place DNF, good for just a 29.5 AFP with 0 laps led

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Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix – Expert pick

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:36 p.m. ET.

The chalk is TYLER REDDICK (+350), and he certainly looked good in both practice and qualifying. For a chance to multiply your initial wager by 3 1/2 times, he is still worth a look.

The better value might be ROSS CHASTAIN (+1000), however. He won this race last season, and he showed plenty of speed at 92.520 mph in Saturday’s practice run. He fell off a little in qualifying, and will go off 12th, but he should be able to matriculate his way up through the field rather nicely.

Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix – Long shot

Chase Elliott’s road course fill-in, JORDAN TAYLOR (+2000), is worth a look in the No. 9 machine.

Taylor looked very comfortable behind the wheel of the Hendrick ride, turning in a speed of 92.404 mph in Saturday’s morning practice session, which was 10th fastest. He then bested that in qualifying, hitting 93.174 mph, so he’ll go off 4th in Sunday’s starting grid. He looked comfortable on the COTA track, and he has a tremendous ride, so he is worth a small-unit play.

Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix prop pick

JORDAN TAYLOR TOP-10 FINISH (+175)

Again, Taylor is in the No. 9 this week for Elliott and that car has had a great road-course setup. Of course, it also helps that Elliott, when healthy, is one of the best road course drivers on the circuit. Still, at least in practice and qualifying, Taylor flashed some amazing speed and skill, and doesn’t look like just your ordinary fill-in. He was fast, and among the best in both sessions. He is worth taking a chance on at plus-money for a top-10 run.

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For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.

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