Nascar Betting Guide
This is the Definitive Betting Brain Guide to Nascar Betting and was written to give bettors a complete understanding to betting on Nascar races.
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is one of the largest sports franchises in the world and second only to the NFL in television ratings across the US. The races themselves attract amazing crowds, and 17 of the top 20 regularly attended single day sporting events are races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. An enjoyable way of watching a race is to place a bet on a driver or drivers, and here is a guide to all of the bets you’ll be able to have throughout the season.
NASCAR Betting – Futures
The main long term market in NASCAR betting is on the winner of the Sprint Cup series. This is an ever changing bet, as the playoff format for the Sprint Cup changes regularly. In 2014, a new format was applied, where drivers are eliminated after the regular season, and then every three races, until just four drivers remain to fight for the title in the final race. Here is an example of how the market might look:
Sprint Cup Champion – Outright Winner
Jeff Gordon 5/1
Jimmie Johnson 5/1
Kyle Busch 6/1
Brad Keselowski 7/1
Here I have listed just four drivers, but sports-books will list either all of the drivers, or the majority of drivers. If all of the drivers are not listed then you’ll see “The Field” and by backing this selection you are backing every unnamed driver. Here, if you had $10 on Jeff Gordon to win the Sprint Cup, you’d make a profit of $50. Johnson also wins you $50, Busch $60 and Keselowski $70.
NASCAR Betting – Race Market
The race winner market will look exactly the same as the previous market, with either all of the drivers listed, or the majority and “The Field”. This is a fast moving market in the week leading up to a race, with the biggest moves coming after the new knockout qualifying. Some books will offer live betting during a race – the odds change quickly here! Here is an example of the race winner betting:
To win the Coke Zero 400
Dale Earnhardt Jnr 7/1
Jimmie Johnson 9/1
Denny Hamlin 10/1
As well as betting on a driver to win the race, you’ll also be able to bet on a driver to finish in the first three. This will be in line with the winning market – however the odds on offer will obviously be much lower. Here is how the top three betting might look with the same three drivers:
Coke Zero 400 – Finish in the top three
Dale Earnhardt Jnr 2/1
Jimmie Johnson 3/1
Denny Hamlin 3/1
NASCAR Betting – Driver Head to Heads
This is where the sportsbook list two drivers and you have to choose one to finish higher than the other. Obviously if a driver fails to finish, then the other driver wins wherever he finishes. Normally, the odds makers will try and pair two drivers together who have a similar ability. Here is an example:
Carl Edwards -110
Matt Kenseth -110
Here, by backing either driver, you’ll win $100 for a $110 wager. Of course, you don’t have to wager $110 here, you can back however much you want, you’ll be paid out relative to your stake.
NASCAR Betting – Strategy
Some drivers have a clear preference for a particular track – maybe they’ve won there in the past, or always have a solid run. Keep these drivers onside, especially if the car is performing well coming into the race, and even more so if the driver performed well in qualifying. Maybe a driver might have a great record in the Nationwide Series here, even if his Sprint Cup record isn’t too hot – keep an eye out for this.
With the changes to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, it’s good to keep an eye out on particular driver strategy. Maybe a driver only needs a solid finish to move on in the series, so may not necessarily be going all out for the win. Another driver might be desperate for a win to make the Chase, and will be going all out for victory. Being armed with these facts will give you an edge over other bettors.