NASCAR Southern 500 Betting Guide: Odds & Expert Picks

NASCAR

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Darlington Raceway for the Cook Out Southern 500, which is also the first race in the NCS playoffs. A total of 16 drivers will compete for the championship over the final 10 races of the Cup Series. All other drivers have a shot at winning a race, high finishes and additional prize money. Kyle Larson and William Byron are the top seeded playoff drivers and not surprisingly they are perched at the top of the NASCAR odds for this race. Larson opened as the outright betting favorite with Byron a close third behind Denny Hamlin. The green flag drops at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 31 with USA Network providing television coverage.

NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 Preview

This is the second race this season held at Darlington with Hamlin winning the Goodyear 400 back in April, his fifth career win and 14th top 5 at the South Carolina track. Hamline opened just behind Larson as the second favorite. Hamlin’s four wins this season are tied with Shane van Gisbergen for the most on the circuit. The Southern 500 has been run annually since 1950 with Hamlin owning the most wins (3) among active drivers. Chase Briscoe won last year’s race ending a drought of more than two years. Briscoe is one of eight drivers boasting opening odds shorter than 15/1.

Cook Out Southern 500 Betting Odds

Kyle Larson +552
Denny Hamlin +602
William Byron +652
Ryan Blaney +652
Tyler Reddick +803
Christopher Bell +853
Joey Logano +1305
Chase Briscoe +1405
Chase Elliott +1606
Ross Chastain +1806
Chris Buescher +2208
Bubba Wallace +2208
Kyle Busch +2350
Brad Keselowski +2810
Josh Berry +4014
Austin Cindric +4516
Alex Bowman +4516
TY Gibbs +5000

All other drivers listed higher than +5000

NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 Top Contenders

Kyle Larson +552

Won the 2023 Southern 500 for his first win at Darlington.
Has finished in fourth place or better in seven of his last 13 starts at Darlington with three runners-up.
He’s led for 1,048 laps in races at Darlington, the most among active drivers.

Denny Hamlin +602

Won the Goodyear 400 at Darlington in April for his sixth career triumph on this track, the most of any active driver.
Tied for the NCS lead with four wins this season.
18 of his 58 career NCS win have come on intermediate tracks.

Bubba Wallace +2208

Has finished inside the top 8 with a win at Indianapolis in four of his last five completed starts.
His best showings at Darlington have come in the last few years with four top 10s in his last six starts.
Had the best car at Richmond a few weeks ago posting the fastest lap and leading a race-high 123 laps.
Won Stage 2 and was second in Stage 1 before slipping in the final third.

Chase Briscoe +1405

One of his three career NCS win came at Darlington in last year’s Southern 500.
Has finished among the top 5 in eight starts on intermediate tracks, including twice in his last three starts.
Finished among the top 5 in four of his last seven starts overall.

NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 Predictions

It’s hard to fade the favorites so sticking with Larson, Hamlin or Byron is a safe play. If there’s a non-playoff driver that can make a push Wallace stands out as does Brad Keselowski. A winner at Darlington in 2024, Keselowski has been a top 5 contender in nearly every start at Darlington in the Next Gen era and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another solid race. If you’re looking for other ways to bet NASCAR other than the outright winner, check out this betting guide for more details.