The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City Dirt Race Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Below we analyze the 2021 Food City Dirt Race NASCAR odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions based on the odds from BetMGM Sportsbook.
2021 Food City Dirt Race: What you need to know
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:59 a.m. ET.
The NASCAR Cup Series will run its first dirt race since 1970. There is a bit of a concern that the Bristol Motor Speedway will hold up. Tire wear was a major issue and the Cup drivers had many complaints after Friday’s practice.
- NASCAR opted to extend the first stage by 25 laps and the second stage by 50 laps. There also will be two added competition cautions.
- Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman led the first practice session with a best speed of 89.308 mph, just edging out Christopher Bell at 88.999 mph. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch was third at 88.898 mph, followed by teammate Denny Hamlin.
- Kyle Larson rounded out the top 5 in the first practice session at 88.609 mph. While he also won the pole, he is expected to drop to the rear of the field after his crew changed engines after the final practice Friday.
- Penske Racing’s Ryan Blaney led the second practice session at 89.135 mph, followed by Bowman, who led the first run. Hamlin was third at 88.986 mph after running fourth in the first session.
Get some action on this NASCAR race with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Who is going to win the 2021 Food City Dirt Race?
LARSON (+250) is the chalk, and it’s not even close. BELL (+550) is the next closest on the odds sheet. While Larson is expected to go to the back of the field, he and BLANEY (+2000) raced all week at this track and should have an edge with a considerable amount more knowledge than the rest of the field.
Bell has three dirt races under his belt at Eldora Speedway in the Truck Series. While the tracks are completely different, he is one of the better dirt drivers on the circuit.
As far as practice is concerned, HAMLIN (+1400) looked very good, finishing fourth or better in speed in each of his two practice sessions. AUSTIN DILLON (+1000) has a win in his three Eldora starts, and he finished 10th or better in each of those outings.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
2021 Food City Dirt Race long-shot bets
BOWMAN (+2500) looked very good in practice, leading the first session while ending up second in the second run. He is set to go off seventh in Sunday’s race, and he really looked like he had a good grasp of the track and setup on Friday.
BUBBA WALLACE (+2500) is also a driver worth keeping an eye on. In two Eldora starts in the Truck Series, Wallace has a win and a seventh-place finish.
Want action on this race? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]