NASCAR Odds Today at PrimeSportsbook.com: Get the Best NASCAR Betting Lines and Race Odds

Few people thought automobile racing would become as popular as it is today, and NASCAR is leading the way as one of the top-ranked motorsports entities in the world.

One of the bigger spectator sports in America, NASCAR has also found its footing in the sports betting landscape.

The NASCAR Cup Series is the highest level of racing, with 36 races over 10 months making up the season. If you’re betting on NASCAR, there are plenty of opportunities during the year leading up to the end of the season when a NASCAR Cup Series champion is crowned.

How NASCAR Betting Odds Work

There are three main ways to bet on NASCAR, and they’re no different from any other sports league.

There is an outright bet on which driver you predict will win the race. Since this is a race and not a game, the favorite will almost always have a plus sign next to their odds. This determines how much profit a bettor makes on a successful $100 wager.

When placing a bet, you should consider a driver’s form and history on a certain track. Pitting drivers against each other and betting on a matchup winner is also popular.  Check out our NASCAR betting guide to understand how to wager.

NASCAR Race Winner Betting Example

The easiest bet is simply throwing down on a driver, hoping he wins the race. But picking an outright winner isn't easy, with several variables always in play. Accidents that take drivers out of the equation and mechanical failures always impact the race's outcome.

There are also 39 other drivers vying for the checkered flag, and as a result, NASCAR odds are longer. For instance, if Joey Logano is +1000, he would deliver a profit of $1,000 with a victory.

NASCAR Head-to-Head Matchup Betting Example:

Head-to-head wagers, where two or more drivers are matched against each other and bettors select who they think will finish first, are growing more popular in NASCAR betting markets.

Unlike the outright, market odds are shorter, and a favorite could have negative odds. For example, in a matchup won by Denny Hamlin (-120) over Kevin Harvick (+110), you would need to wager $120 to get a $100 payout.

NASCAR Top 3 / Top 5 / Top 10 Betting Example:

Picking a driver to beat the field is difficult, but bettors can take a more conservative approach and reduce risk with place betting. Here, bettors wager that a driver will finish among the top 3, top 5, and/or top 10.

Again, the odds are shorter and the payout is smaller since the chance of winning increases.

Most Popular NASCAR Betting Types

NASCAR Race Winner: We touched on this type of wager above, where bettors simply pick the driver they think will win a particular race.

Head-to-Head Driver Matchups: Another popular bet among NASCAR fans (and also covered above), head-to-head betting is backing one driver to finish better than the driver he’s paired with.

Top 3, Top 5, Top 10 Finish: To eliminate some risk, most sportsbooks offer betting on a driver to finish in the top 3, top 5, and top 10. Your odds of winning increase, but the payout is also smaller.

Stage Winners & Fastest Lap: NASCAR races are broken up into what are called stages, with typically three in a race. Adjusted odds are posted for the winner of each stage.

NASCAR Prop Bets: Higher-profile races attract more attention, and most shops increase the number of prop bets. Odds are posted for events throughout a race, such as the number of caution flags and crashes.

NASCAR Futures: These props are decided at or near the end of the racing season, with the most popular wager on the NASCAR Cup Series champion. Betting on the circuit’s rookie of the year winner is also a futures bet.

Bet on Major NASCAR Events at Prime Sportsbook

The more prestigious and high-profile races draw bigger crowds and, as a result, larger betting markets.

Though popular, particularly in the southern states, NASCAR hasn’t reached the mainstream betting landscape, so don’t get fooled by wagers that only appear occasionally.

Understanding how to bet on NASCAR is fairly straightforward if you know what to look for.

Daytona 500

Regarded as one of the most important races on the NASCAR schedule, the Daytona 500 is also the season's first race, so it's even more important. The Great American Race also carries the largest prize pool, giving drivers even more incentive to win.

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs

The playoffs are a series of 10 races involving 16 drivers used to determine the season-long champion.

The first nine races consist of three sets, after which four drivers are eliminated. Four more drivers are eliminated from contention in each subsequent set until four remain for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race.

All non-playoff drivers are allowed to compete in each leg of the playoffs.

Brickyard 400

This race is kind of a big deal among NASCAR enthusiasts. It debuted in 1994, instantly seeing NASCAR’s largest attendance with an estimated 250,000 spectators.

It was also the first race (other than the Indy 500) to be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Coca-Cola 600

This race is unique for several reasons. First, it’s the longest race on NASCAR’s season schedule, and second, barring delays or postponements, the final laps happen at night.

The day-night setting forces teams and drivers to adjust to track conditions. It’s also on the same day as the Indy 500, with several drivers competing in both, though none have won both races on the same day.

NASCAR All-Star Race

Held annually during the middle of the season, the race is comprised of winners from the previous year and the beginning of the current season.

Former winners of this race and past NASCAR Cup Series champions are also invited.

Though the race is unofficial, it is always tightly contested due to the field.

Common NASCAR Terms

Like any sport, knowing a little about NASCAR goes a long way to enjoying success at the betting window, and the circuit has its own terminology. Understanding the definitions of certain terms doesn’t guarantee success, but it will make you more knowledgeable and might even get you a drink at a local watering hole.

Drafting & Slingshot Pass

We see it all the time, but did you know there is a name for it? Drafting is when two or more cars run close to each other, nearly touching.

The car in the front breaks the air, leaving the trailing car with less air resistance. The trail car can gain speed and, at a strategic moment, can slingshot past the lead driver.

Pole Position & Qualifying

There are usually more drivers than slots available in a particular race; thus, the final field is determined by qualifying rounds. The fastest laps get the spots, with the fastest qualifying car earning the coveted front position at the start of a race, or the pole position.