Another NASCAR Cup Series season is officially upon us, with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum having taken place last weekend as Denny Hamlin came out on top. With Daytona 500 scheduled for next weekend, it's a perfect time to take a look at the NASCAR Cup Series futures. With the season about to start, there's a plethora of favorites who could lift the grand prize later this fall. Ryan Blaney (+550) is one of them, followed by William Byron (+575), Kyle Larson (+575), Denny Hamlin (+725), Christopher Bell (+850), and Chase Elliott (+850), among others. Blaney is the defending champion after coming out victorious in the final four in Phoenix and he's expected to be in the mix again. Continue reading for the preview.
Before we get into the analysis, odds, and predictions, check out our how-to bet on NASCAR page.
NASCAR Cup Series Championship Odds
| Driver |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Blaney | +550 | +700 | +430 |
| William Byron | +575 | +650 | +575 |
| Kyle Larson | +575 | +500 | +575 |
| Denny Hamlin | +725 | +800 | +675 |
| Christopher Bell | +850 | +1000 | +875 |
| Chase Elliott | +850 | +700 | +800 |
| Martin Truex Jr | +850 | +1200 | +900 |
| Kyle Busch | +1400 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Joey Logano | +1400 | +1800 | +1200 |
| Tyler Reddick | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Ross Chastain | +1600 | +1800 | +1950 |
Ryan Blaney (+550)
Blaney really enjoyed a nice 2023 season, earning 18 top-10 finishes, eight top-fives, and three wins capped off by the dramatic victory in Phoenix. It was the second straight year a Penske driver won the Cup Series after Joey Logano did so in 2022. While Blaney will surely be in contention at the very end again, Jimmy Johnson is the last repeat driver and that was a while ago. It doesn't hurt to put some money down on Blaney, though. You never know. At +550, it's worth a small wager. Last year was his first-ever Cup Series championship win.
William Byron (+575)
2023 would've definitely been considered a breakout year for Byron, who took the Cup Series circuit by storm. He had a whopping six wins while finishing in the top-10 on 21 occasions. He also earned 15 top-five finishes. On top of that, he was second in the Cup Series in laps led. There is no question he progressed a lot as a driver last season and he also won races on some tough tracks. It would be foolish to not bet on Byron because he is clearly trending in the right direction.
Kyle Larson (+575)
Larson has been around for a hot minute and always manages to be in the mix when it's all said and done in the Cup Series. He led the circuit in laps led with over 1,200, won four races, and had 15 top-five finishes overall, which tied him with Byron. Larson also concluded the season on a hot streak, finishing in the top-five in four straight races. The only criticism of Larson's 2023 season was his results on superspeedways, which were poor. Other than that, he's definitely one to watch as the 2024 campaign begins.
Denny Hamlin (+725)
Time is running out for Hamlin to win a Cup Series championship considering he is now 43. Nevertheless, he's very consistent each and every year and you can expect a lot of the same in 24'. Last season, Hamlin had 19 top-10s, 14 top-five finishes, and three victories. He ultimately finished fifth in the Cup Series standings. The Clash at the Coliseum isn't an official race, but it was a promising start for Hamlin to win it in Los Angeles. That could set the tone for how his season plays out.
Christopher Bell (+850)
Bell only finished fourth last season with 19 top-10s, 10 top-fives, and two victories. Not bad numbers by any means. But, there was one spell where Bell was on absolute fire. He finished in the top-six in seven of nine races towards the end of the season. Although he didn't lead for a lot of laps throughout the campaign, Bell proved that he can be one to compete for a Cup Series championship.
Chase Elliott (+850)
If you know NASCAR, you know Chase Elliott. He's been a stud for several years and was the king in 2022 before losing in the playoffs. However, 2023 was a rough year for him due to an injury and a suspension. He participated in 29 races but didn't notch a single victory. Elliott did have 15 top-10s and seven top-fives, though. Elliott should be back in 24' if he stays healthy and steers clear of any trouble. He is absolutely one you want to be on due to his resume on the Cup Series circuit.
NASCAR Cup Series Futures Picks
I really think Elliott is going to respond with an impressive season and he'll be in the mix for the Cup Series Championship. Byron is also worth a bet and Blaney.
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