NASCAR Betting Odds Guide: How To Bet On NASCAR & Strategy To Consider

May 21, 2024 01:55pm

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I cover the key NASCAR races to watch, how to bet on NASCAR in North Carolina and more in this article.

NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway

Why is NASCAR So Popular in North Carolina?

NASCAR sees North Carolina sports betting as a huge opportunity for the league. NASCAR Sports Betting Director Joe Solosky told BetCarolina as much in a two-part interview ahead of launch (Part 1 & Part 2).

Charlotte, North Carolina is sometimes called the unofficial home of NASCAR. In fact, a 2018 Neilsen Scarborough study found that North Carolina has the most NASCAR fans of any U.S. state, with high concentrations of NASCAR enthusiasts in Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, and Asheville.

But why, when its headquarters is famously in Florida?

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Well, North Carolina is the birthplace of NASCAR. The league first started in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and built its first-ever race track in North Wilkesboro, where the North Wilkesboro Speedway still holds races today.

The Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsborough was the second NASCAR track ever to be built and is the only dirt track still remaining from the league's inaugural 1949 season. It's no longer in use, but it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a great walking trail.

Charlotte is home to not only the Charlotte Motor Speedway, but also the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where some of the most famous drivers are enshrined. Speaking of famous NASCAR drivers, the first family of motorsports—the Earnhardts—hail from Kannapolis, NC.

Currently, Mooresville is currently known as "Race City USA" because so many NASCAR drivers and teams are based out of there. Mooresville is also the corporate HQ of NASCAR Technical Institute. Many drivers still live and train in North Carolina,

NASCAR has recently partnered with DraftKings North Carolina, while the Charlotte Motor Speedway is partnering with BetMGM NC.

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How to Bet on NASCAR Online in North Carolina

In states that allow mobile wagering, over 90% of bets are placed online, and there's every indication that North Carolina will follow suit now that online sports betting is live. Top betting apps for North Carolina, such as DraftKings and BetMGM, will offer NASCAR championship odds as well as a full menu of online betting options for each week’s race.

You can bet on one driver to win outright, or go with other options like a top-three, top-five or top-10 finish. Head-to-head driver matchups and group betting will also be available online, as will props like winning car manufacturer or top-finishing driver for each team.

The bigger the race, the more online wagering options sports bettors will find.

NASCAR Odds in North Carolina, Explained

NASCAR odds are expressed in moneyline format—the higher the number, the bigger the longshot and the larger the prospective payout.

Taking Brad Keselowski +1800 to win the championship means you’d earn $1,800 for every $100 wagered if he hoists the trophy. A minus sign, by contrast, means you’d have to bet that much to earn $100 in winnings; Ryan Blaney -110 for a top-10 finish means you’d have to bet $110 to win $100.

Outright winners, matchups, props, group betting—they’ll all use moneyline odds, which make NASCAR bets very easy to understand and place.

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Types of NASCAR Bets for NC Bettors

North Carolina sports bettors are able to choose from an array of NASCAR wager types. Although outright winner picks get the most attention, bettors will also be able to wager on head to head and group bets, futures, props and live betting. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular types of NASCAR bets and how to bet in North Carolina on them.

Head to Head You’re betting on one driver to finish ahead of another, regardless of what happens in the rest of the race. Head to head bets pit two drivers paired by the sportsbook; an example would be Kevin Harvick -120 vs. Austin Cindric -110. You’d earn $100 for every $110 wagered should Cindric finish ahead of Harvick.
Outright Winner You’re betting on one driver to win the race. Taking Kyle Busch at +1400 to win at Charlotte, for example, would pay $1,400 for every $100 wagered should Busch prevail. Although it’s easy to learn what tracks favor which drivers, this is still a hard bet to win.
Futures These are bets placed on events coming up in the future, and you get more favorable odds by betting in advance. The most common NASCAR futures bet is the championship. Betting far ahead gets you more profitable odds, but the risk is that an injury or another unforeseen event scuttles your hopes.
Prop Bets Props are fun wagers that often don’t have much do with which driver wins the race. Who will be the top-finishing driver for each manufacturer? Who will be the top-finishing driver within a group of 3-4 drivers? Will the race go into OT? Props are numerous, and big races like the Daytona 500 can feature lots of them.
Live Betting You’re betting on live events happening right now with odds shifting as the race unfolds. A pre-race favorite can suddenly become an underdog if he falls behind early, which presents an increased value possibility for the bettor confident in the favorite rallying to win.

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NASCAR Betting Tips for NC Bettors

Want to make the most of your NASCAR wagering experience with North Carolina sports betting officially live? Just follow these tips.

✅ Don’t just bet race winners: You’ll stand a better chance of winning by varying your bet types, and incorporating top-fives, head to heads, and other wagers that aren’t as difficult to win.
✅ Do your research: Some drivers thrive at certain tracks, while others may be in a long slump. Do your research, and get familiar with driver trends and overall performance.
✅ Shop around: Odds differ depending on the sportsbook, with some offering better value than others. Getting Larson +350 to win at one book, as opposed to +300 at another, means a potential extra $50 in winnings for every $100 wagered.
✅ Keep updated on news: Twice last season drivers haven't been able to race because of injury. Meanwhile, a road race ringer from New Zealand won the Chicago street race in a one-off. Keep abreast of who’s in the field that week—and if they’re out, for how long.
✅ Set a bankroll, and stick to it: Perhaps the most elementary tip in all of sports betting is not to overextend yourself. Savvy bettors stick to a set bankroll, and once it’s done, so are they. Be smart with money, and take advantage of promo offers to load up on bonus bets.

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NASCAR 2024 Schedule & Results: Popular NASCAR Races to Bet On

While NASCAR’s national division consists of three series—the Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series—the overwhelming majority of NASCAR betting odds in North Carolina will involve the Cup Series.

NASCAR’s 2024 Cup Series schedule includes 36 points races spanning 27 tracks in 20 U.S. states. The first 26 races constitute the regular season, while the final 10 determine the series champion.

Within that 36-race Cup Series schedule, some races stand out more than others, akin to major championships in golf. Those events like the Daytona 500 will typically offer a broader array of NASCAR betting odds than other races, though bettors will find staples like outright winner every week.

Race	Location	Winner
📅 Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum (Feb. 4)	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	Denny Hamlin
📅 Bluegreen Vacations Duels 1 & 2 at Daytona (Feb. 15)	Daytona International Speedway	Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell
📅 Daytona 500 (Feb. 18)	Daytona International Speedway	William Byron
📅 Ambetter Health 400 (Feb. 25)	Atlanta Motor Speedway	Daniel Suarez
📅 Pennzoil 400 (March 3)	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	Kyle Larson
📅 Shriners Children's 500 (March 10)	Phoenix Raceway	Christopher Bell
📅 Food City 500 (March 17)	Bristol Motor Speedway	Denny Hamlin
📅 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (March 24)	Circuit of the Americas	William Byron
📅 Toyota Owners 400 (March 31)	Richmond Raceway	Denny Hamlin
📅 NASCAR Cup Series Spring Race at Martinsville (April 7)	Martinsville Speedway	William Byron
📅 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (April 14)	Texas Motor Speedway	Chase Elliott
📅 GEICO 500 (April 21)	Talladega Superspeedway	Tyler Reddick
📅 Würth 400 (April 28)	Dover Speedway	Denny Hamlin
📅 AdventHealth 400 (May 5)	Kansas Speedway	Kyle Larson
📅 Goodyear 400 (May 12)	Darlington Raceway	Brad Keselowski
📅 NASCAR All-Star Open & Race (May 19)	North Wilkesboro Speedway	Ty Gibbs
📅 Coca-Cola 600 (May 26)	Charlotte Motor Speedway	TBD
📅 Enjoy Illinois 300 (June 2)	World Wide Technology Raceway	TBD
📅 Toyota/Save Mart 350 (June 9)	Sonoma Raceway	TBD
📅 Iowa Corn 350 (June 16)	Iowa Speedway	TBD
📅 NASCAR Cup Series Race at New Hampshire (June 23)	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	TBD
📅 Ally 400 (June 30)	Nashville Superspeedway	TBD
📅 Grant Park 165 (July 7)	Chicago, IL	TBD
📅 HighPoint.com 400 (July 14)	Pocono Raceway	TBD
📅 Brickyard 400 (July 21)	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	TBD
📅 Cook Out 400 (Aug. 11)	Richmond Raceway	TBD
📅 FireKeepers Casino 400 (Aug. 18)	Michigan International Raceway	TBD
📅 Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Aug. 24)	Daytona International Speedway	TBD
📅 Cook Out Southern 500 (Sept. 1)	Darlington Raceway	TBD
📅 Quaker State 400 (Sept. 8)	Atlanta Motor Speedway	TBD
📅 Go Bowling at The Glen (Sept. 15)	Watkins Glen International	TBD
📅 Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Sept. 21)	Bristol Motor Speedway	TBD
📅 Hollywood Casino 400 (Sept. 29)	Kansas Speedway	TBD
📅 YellaWood 500 (Oct. 6)	Talladega Superspeedway	TBD
📅 Bank of America ROVAL 400 (Oct. 13)	Charlotte Motor Speedway	TBD
📅 South Point 400 (Oct. 20)	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	TBD
📅 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Homestead-Miami (Oct. 27)	Homestead-Miami Speedway	TBD
📅 XFINITY 500 (Nov. 3)	Martinsville Speedway	TBD
📅 NASCAR Cup Series Championship (Nov. 10)	Phoenix Raceway	TBD

The Food City 500 marked the first NASCAR Cup Series race after online sportsbook operators launch in North Carolina.

Daytona 500 Odds

📅 When: Feb. 16, 2025
📍 Where: Daytona International Speedway (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
📺 How to Watch: TBD
🏆 2024 Winner: William Byron

The “Super Bowl of NASCAR” is the sport’s season-opening points race. Contested since 1959, the Daytona 500 is held on a big, fast 2.5-mile oval track that’s known for 190 mph speeds, and it produces the occasional surprise winner.

NASCAR GEICO 500

📅 When: April 21, 2024 (3 p.m. ET)
📍 Where: Talladega Superspeedway (Lincoln, Ala.)
📺 How to Watch: FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
🏆 2023 Winner: Kyle Busch

This is the annual spring race at Talladega, a 2.66-mile behemoth of a racetrack that can make even Daytona look tame. Talladega’s high banks generate tremendous speeds, drivers race in five-wide packs, and the winner feels joy and relief in equal measure.

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NASCAR Playoff Schedule

The top 16 drivers at the end of the regular season qualify for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, which over the season’s final 10 events progressively reduces the field down to a “Championship 4." Winning races is prioritized—winning automatically gets drivers into the playoff, and automatically qualifies them for the next round.

Without a race victory, drivers are left to survive on points gained from their finishing positions, which means one wreck or breakdown can destroy their title hopes. Every three playoff events, the field is reduced, and those who get eliminated are racing only for pride the rest of the way.

Round of 16

🏁 Sept. 8: Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
🏁 Sept. 15: Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International
🏁 Sept. 21: Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway

Round of 12

🏁 Sept. 29: Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway
🏁 Oct. 6: YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
🏁 Oct. 13: Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Round of 8

🏁 Oct. 20: South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
🏁 Oct. 27: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway
🏁 Nov. 3: XFINITY 500 at Martinsville Speedway

NASCAR Championship Race

The NASCAR Cup Series Race Championship will be held on Nov. 10, 2024, at the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship: NASCAR Championship Odds 2024

📅 When: Nov. 10, 2024 (3 p.m. ET)
📍 Where: Phoenix Raceway (Avondale, Ariz.)
📺 How to Watch: NBC, MRN, SiriusXM
🏆 2023 Winner: Ross Chastain

For the title contenders in NASCAR’s top series, it all comes down to this. NASCAR’s playoff whittles the postseason field down to four final drivers, and the highest finisher among that group on the 1-mile oval takes home the championship.

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Here is the Top 10 odds for 2024's NASCAR Cup Series Championship, according to DraftKings:

🥇 Kyle Larson	+380
William Byron	+450
Denny Hamlin	+450
Christopher Bell	+900
Chase Elliott	+900
Tyler Reddick	+1100
Ryan Blaney	+1200
Martin Truex, Jr.	+1200
Ross Chastain	+1400
Joey Logano	+1600
Ty Gibbs	+1800
✅ Odds Last Updated:	December 20, 2024

With 57 points, Ross Chastain won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race in 2023, where he led 157 of 312 laps (50.3%).

North Carolina NASCAR Races to Bet On

There are two active NASCAR tracks in North Carolina: the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

NASCAR All-Star Open

📅 When: May 19, 2024 (8 p.m. ET)
📍 Where: North Wilkesboro Speedway (North Wilkesboro, N.C.)
📺 How to Watch: FS1, SiriusXM, MRN
🏆 2023 Winner: Josh Berry

This year's NASCAR All-Star race will be held in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The first-ever All-Star competition was held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1985 and continued in Charlotte from 1987-2019.

NASCAR Coca-Cola 600

📅 When: May 26, 2024 (6 p.m. ET)
📍 Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.)
📺 How to Watch: FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
🏆 2023 Winner: Ryan Blaney

The 600 is a Memorial Day weekend tradition in Charlotte since 1960. A crown jewel of the sport, the Coca-Cola 600 runs from late afternoon into evening, forcing drivers to adjust to changing track conditions as well as the distance of NASCAR’s longest race.

NASCAR Bank of America ROVAL 400

📅 When: Oct. 13, 2024 (2 p.m. ET)
📍 Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.)
📺 How to Watch: NBC, PRN, SiriusXM
🏆 2023 Winner: AJ Allmendinger

The annual fall race in Charlotte was switched in 2018 to a “ROVAL” which incorporates the infield road course in addition to the four corners of the oval track. The result is a race with lots of action, all of it magnified by the event’s placement deep in the NASCAR Playoffs.

Recap the 2023 Bank of America ROVAL 400 odds.

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NASCAR Betting FAQs

Now that online sports betting has launched in North Carolina, sports bettors will be able to bet on NASCAR at any of the mobile sportsbooks operating in the state. You can bet at sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and more.

While the exact types of NASCAR bets will vary by sportsbooks, most top North Carolina betting apps offer outright winner wagers, top-three, top-five and top-10 finish bets, head to head and group betting, championship futures and props.

NASCAR betting is easy—all wagers are in moneyline format, and once you understand how one works, you’ll understand them all. But easy to place doesn’t mean easy to win; a lot can happen in a race, so no bets are guaranteed winners.

Charlotte, North Carolina, hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races annually. Every Memorial Day weekend the track hosts the Coca-Cola 600, and every fall it hosts the Bank of America 400, currently contested on the “ROVAL” road-oval hybrid layout.

Yes, all of the major sportsbooks operating in the U.S. offer odds on NASCAR, though some offer a greater variety of bets than others. You may have to shop around across major sportsbooks to find the most valuable odds.

NASCAR is an acronym that stands for the "National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing." Originally, it was meant to stand for the "National Stock Car Racing Association," but the official title was changed as that name was already in use.

NASCAR races typically take around three hours, though they can last longer depending on the number of accidents and caution periods. The Daytona 500 in 2023, for example, lasted three hours and 38 minutes. The Bank of America ROVAL 400 in 2022 lasted just under three hours.

The number of drivers in a NASCAR race vary due to a number of different factors at each race. NASCAR starting fields typically consist of between 36 and 40 cars, depending on the number of teams that enter the race.

Richard Petty, known as "The King," owns the most Daytona 500 wins with seven, the most recent coming in 1981. He is one of only 12 drivers with multiple wins, though the next closest is Cale Yarborough with four career wins.

NASCAR odds are typically released beginning on Monday for the following week’s race. The outright winner odds will appear first, followed by top-three odds and top-five odds, as well as various prop bets over the following few days.

The top 16 drivers after the season’s first 26 races advance into the 10-race NASCAR Playoff. The playoff field is gradually cut down to four drivers for the finale—and the top finisher among that “Championship 4” wins the title.

Author

David Caraviello

dcaraviello

Veteran motorsports expert David Caraviello is bringing his knowledge of NASCAR odds and drivers to BetCarolina.com. He has covered major NASCAR Cup Series events, including the Daytona 500.

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