NASCAR Cup Championship: Best Bets & Expert Picks

NASCAR heads to the Arizona desert for the season’s final race where a champion will be crowned. Four drivers are in the hunt for the grand prize that takes place at the Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, November 2 at 3 p.m. ET. Denny Hamlin opened as the betting favorite on the early NASCAR betting odds followed closely by Kyle Larson and William Byron. The race can be seen on NBC.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship Preview

The field returns to Phoenix Raceway for the season finale with Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson and William Byron in the running for the season-long championship. Of the quartet only Larson has a title to his name. Byron earned the pole at the Shriners Children’s 500 held at this track in March, but Christopher Bell took the checkered flag. Joey Logano is the defending champion though he’s not eligible for a repeat. Byron won his way into the Final Four with a win last week in Martinsville and is the third favorite.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship Betting Odds

Denny Hamlin +375
Kyle Larson +475
William Byron +525
Ryan Blaney +625
Chase Briscoe +675
Christopher Bell +750
Joey Logano +1250
Chase Elliott +1350
Tyler Reddick +1850
Ross Chastain +2225
Josh Berry +2550
Kyle Busch +3050
Chris Buescher +3100
Bubba Wallace +4000
Austin Cindric +4000
Carson Hocevar +4500
Alex Bowman +4500
All other drivers listed higher than +5000

NASCAR Cup Series Championship Top Contenders

Denny Hamlin +375

One of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR with 60 career wins; including a season-high six this year Hamlin has a chance to win his first NCS championship in this his fourth appearance in the Championship 4.
Hamlin has two career wins at Phoenix Raceway with four top 5s since his last victory.
Was runner-up on the Phoenix track in the Shriners Children’s 500 in March.
He’s won nine times on intermediate tracks.

Ryan Blaney +625

Blaney missed out on competing for his first NCS Championship even though he finished as runner-up last week in Martinsville.
He’s having his best season winning three times for the third consecutive year among his 18 top 5s.
Blaney has never won at Phoenix but he does have four runner-up finishes among seven top 5s in his last eight starts on the track.

Christopher Bell +750

Came up just short reaching the Championship 4 but there’s plenty left to race for. Bell has finished among the top 8 in his last eight starts with a win at Bristol and three additional podiums.
Bell won at Phoenix in March, the last of three consecutive victories this season.
He’s also won twice at Phoenix in his last three starts on the course.

Joey Logano +1250

A win at Phoenix Raceway last year gave Logano his second NCS Championship in three years and third overall.
He won’t repeat but success on the track makes him a worthwhile pick.
His four wins at Phoenix are the most among active drivers with two of those coming in his last six starts.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship Predictions

The four drivers in contention for the NCS Championship don’t have to win the race to claim the prize, but it does leave no doubt. And that’s why Hamlin is a popular driver and the favorite to win. One of the top drivers on the circuit has never won the season-ending crown with this being his best opportunity. Combine that with his success at Phoenix and it’s hard not to back him. Blaney will be driving with a chip on his shoulder after being denied a chance at the title, and he’s come close to winning for the first time on this track a number of times.