The season has just started, but we already have a few different storylines taking place in the world of NASCAR. That tends to happen, though, when the season opener is the Daytona 500. It is arguably the most iconic race in the NASCAR schedule and the 2022 version lived up to the hype. It was a bit of a crash-filled affair, but the big story was Austin Cindric taking the checkered flag in his first race as a full-time member of the Cup Series. It was certainly an exciting moment for the young man, but it’s time to get back to business this weekend in California at the Wise Power 400. Will we see another surprise this week, or will one of the favorites take the flag? Let’s take a quick look at who the bookies like to win the Wise Power 400 so you can place your bets against their NASCAR Odds.
NASCAR Cup Series Betting: Wise Power 400 Race Preview
Kyle Larson (+330)
The defending Cup Series champion did not have the best start to the new season, finishing 32nd in a wild Daytona 500. In fairness to Larson, that was a tough race to navigate given the stop/start nature of an event filled with spills and stoppages. It’s also fair to say that the Daytona 500 has never been a race that Larson has done well at, so we can probably expect better this weekend. Larson does have a good history in this race, winning it in 2017, while also adding a pair of 2nd place finishes in the past. This may prove to be a bounce back week.
Chase Elliott (+600)
Elliott is one of the most likeable guys in NASCAR, and a lot of people were happy to see him win his first Cup Series title in 2020. He came close again last season, making it to the final four before coming up just short in the final race of the season. He found himself in the midst of one of the crashes at Daytona last weekend, but he did enough to stay in the race and finish, coming in 10th. His best run at this track came in 2020, when he finished 4th. Could another good showing here be the start of another run at the Cup Series crown?
Kyle Busch (+750)
Busch won his most recent Cup Series crown in 2019, but he has slipped a little since then, finishing 8th and 9th overall in the years following that win. Busch still has to be considered a threat to win every single week, though, as he still manages to pick up wins along the way, including a pair of victories in the 2021 season. He started the year with a 6th place finish at Daytona and will be looking for better this week. He won this race in 2019 and finished 2nd the following year, so he certainly knows how to win at this track.
Denny Hamlin (+750)
Over the last 3 seasons, Hamlin has made it to the final four, only to come up short in the final race of the season. That run, though, is a sign of just how consistent he has been, and while Hamlin has a poor showing at Daytona last weekend, he is a driver that knows how to win. He has consistently been in the top 10 in this race, so he has to be considered a threat on Sunday.