And just like that, NASCAR is ready to close out the postseason's Round of 12. But first, before moving on to the Round of Eight, we have 2021 NASCAR playoff picks featuring our Bank of America ROVAL 400 predictions.
Here are the latest NASCAR betting odds, courtesy of BetOnline:
Always make sure to double-check NASCAR odds before making your official NASCAR picks. Most of these betting lines will invariably move at some, if not all, of the top online sportsbooks.
2021 Bank of America ROVAL Picks
- When: Sunday, October 10
- Start Time: 2 p.m. EST
- Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course in Concord, North Carolina
- Length: 109 laps (252.88 miles)
Bubba Wallace (+2000) threw NASCAR for a whirl at the YellaWood 500 by taking home first place. His finish helped allow Denny Hamlin (+1000) remain ahead of Kyle Larson (+450) in the standings, paving the way for a wild finish to the Round of 12.
What should we expect in the final race before the NASCAR Cup Series Championship is narrowed down to just eight contenders? Let's find out.
Should Chase Elliott be the Favorite?
Quite frankly, we're a little surprised that Chase Elliott (+225) is the favorite at the BOA 400. We're even more surprised that he's such a heavy favorite by NASCAR standards.
While Elliott is a talented driver, particularly on road courses such as these, he hasn't secured a first-place victory since the beginning of July. He's not exactly riding high on momentum, either. He barely finished inside the top 20 at YellaWood.
Ruling him out entirely is a bad idea. But you should wait to see if his odds creep closer to +350 before making the investment.
Can Bubba Wallace Win Again?
Bubba Wallace (+20000) made history at YellaWood 500, becoming just the second Black driver to win an NASCAR Cup Series race. Somewhat surprisingly, though, oddsmakers don't seem to be factoring that into his BOA 400 chances.
Drivers who just picked up a victory tend to get juiced-up odds heading into the next race. Wallace may not be in contention for the title, but his first-place finish is no aberration. He has flirted with NASCAR Cup Series wins in the past, and he's an expert at navigating unconventional courses and circumstances.
Perhaps linemakers are simply skeptical over the context of his victory. Rain postponed the YellaWood 500 from Sunday to Monday and then shortened the race itself. Wallace's win was an abbreviated one. Still, he's been driving better of late, especially in the middle to end of contests. Don't sleep on him.
Better Bet: Denny Hamlin or Kyle Busch?
As one of the few drivers who has clinched a spot in the Round of Eight, Denny Hamlin (+1000) isn't expected to be at his most aggressive during the BOA 400. Then again, this was true of the YellaWood 500, and he responded by finishing seventh.
Sure, it's possible that Hamlin might've slowed down his pace had the race not been cut short. His only concern at the moment is maintaining his lead over Kyle Larson (+450). But he has to this point kept up his ultra-aggressive style from the opening laps onward.
With that said, we can't shake the feeling that Kyle Busch (+1000) is rounding into form. His last first-place finish came at the end of June, but he's shown signs of breaking through since. At YellaWood, he checked in at fourth and was in a position to make a move closer toward the front when the race got called. With so much on the line for himself during the BOA 400—he's currently tied for seventh in the standings with Chase Elliott—we expect him to deliver some of his best work of the season.
2021 Bank of America ROVAL 400 Prediction
Forecasting the winners for NASCAR Cup Series races is always tough. It's even harder this late in the schedule. Results are a little more randomized when so many drivers are competing for different stakes.
Some are just trying to maintain their current position, such as Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson. Others have every reason to go full throttle from start to finish, such as Chase Elliot and Kyle Busch. And then you have the flat-out wild cards—talented drivers who aren't within striking distance of the title but still look to muck up NASCAR's pecking order.
We don't expect the Bank of America ROVAL 400 to be any different. With all of this factored in, we gravitate toward drivers up against actual stakes. That eliminates options like Hamlin and Larson. And in the end, we're zeroing in on Kyle Busch following his terrific performance at YellaWood. He's nearing his peak. Ride the rise.
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