We’re on the cusp of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs beginning. Seriously, after 22 races, only four competitions remain before the Round of 16 playoffs start.
That timing got us thinking, who is the best bet to win the NASCAR Cup title right now? Betting odds exists for that very outcome, and here’s how the top NASCAR betting sites have it pegged:
| Driver |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | +330 | +330 | +330 |
| Denny Hamlin | +425 | +425 | +425 |
| Ryan Blaney | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| Christopher Bell | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| William Byron | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Chase Elliott | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
2025 NASCAR Playoff Preview
Here's the thing, we can’t make smart betting picks unless we preview the NASCAR playoffs so let's start there. They’ll begin with the Round of 16 in Darlington come August 31. But in between then, we have the following races left to decide the playoff field:
- Iowa Speedway, August 3
- Watkins Glen, August 10
- Richmond Raceway, August 16
- Daytona, August 23
Chase Elliott has been the most consistent driver in NASCAR this season — and it’s not particularly close. So far this season, the 2020 Cup Series champ has racked up one win, 12 top-10 finishes, and is averaging a 10th-place result every week. That kind of steady performance has him sitting atop the regular-season standings with a marginal four-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron.
Heck, if the Cup champion was decided Elliott’s way — a full-season points format, not playoff rounds — he’d be in prime position to take the title. But it’s not, and hasn’t been since 2004. Ever since then, the Cup Series has used a playoff format. In 2014, it evolved into the current elimination-style system. Now, 16 drivers make the postseason field, and the easiest way to get in is by winning at least one regular-season race.
From there, it’s all about survival. The playoffs stretch across 10 races, with four drivers eliminated after every three events. By the time the season finale rolls around, just four remain — and it’s winner-take-all from there. Which is exactly why Elliott’s consistency, while impressive, isn’t enough.
As it stands, 13 drivers have won Cup Series events this year. They are all but guaranteed to make the postseason. The remaining three spots will go to the highest-ranked drivers in the standings yet to win. As it stands, that would be Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, and Chris Buescher. Any of the three — or someone else — could guarantee themselves a playoff spot with a win in the remaining regular-season events.
Best Bets To Win NASCAR Cup Title
There’s no way we can advise any bettor to go “all in” in a single driver to win the NASCAR Cup. Why? We just told you — the playoff format is too unpredictable. The championship four is a winner-take-all race for Pete’s sake. You could dominate all year long then slip up on the finale and lose out on the championship (it happens all the time actually).
That’s why we’ll be advising bettors to “spread the love.” By that, we mean make multiple bets on different drivers. Here are the ones that should be atop your to-bet list:
Kyle Larson
If we could only bet on driver here, it would be Larson. He’s second for the most wins in the Cup Series with three and leads everyone in laps led, top fives, and top 10s. That’s a monster stat line — the kind of numbers that remind you exactly why Larson is always a threat when the stakes get high.
Yes, Larson’s aggressive style can backfire — just look at the Coca-Cola 600 when a self-inflicted mistake wiped out what looked like a winning run. But that’s also what makes him lethal in a winner-take-all format. He’s not playing for top-10s. He’s playing to win every single race, and you need that down the stretch.
Denny Hamlin
We call him Mr. Reliable for a reason, and that’s reliability makes him bet-worthy! He leads the Cup Series with four wins and is tied for the most top-five finishes at 11, quietly stacking up one of his best seasons yet. Hamlin’s made a career out of consistently reaching the Championship 4, and with his current form, he’s got every tool to make another deep playoff run.
Shane van Gisbergen
The rookie is the ultimate boom-or-bust pick — he’s either contending for a win or barely a factor, but when he’s on, the ceiling is sky high. Van Gisbergen has an astonishing three wins despite ranking 27th in points. Like we said, it’s boom or bust with this kid. But hey, at his lengthy odds, it’s worth taking a shot on in case he gets hot at the right time.
How To Bet NASCAR Playoffs
NASCAR playoffs betting isn’t just limited to a futures bet on the next champion. No, no, you can also bet on all the individual races, which there are 10 of. To do just that, you’ll need a reliable sportsbook. We got some of the best ones listed below (these betting sites work across the USA too):
What makes these spots especially good for betting are the lucrative sportsbook bonuses. With these deals, you can bet on NASCAR completely free of cost. That’s right, deals typically hand out $500 to $2500 in free play. Big money that you can spend as you wish on NASCAR-related bets from now until the season ends. Visit one of the links in the above table to get started!
