The NASCAR Cup Series season is alive and well. 20 races have already gone by, with Martin Truex Jr winning the most recent one at Sonoma last weekend to grab some huge points in the standings, taking him to first place at the moment. Despite that, he isn't the favorite to win this season. Kyle Larson still sits on top with +550 odds, followed by William Byron (+700), Denny Hamlin (+800), Truex Jr (+800), Christopher Bell (+850), and Kyle Busch (+900). There is still a ton of time left in the campaign, which means things can change a lot. But, for now, we'll take a look below at the NASCAR Cup Series futures and preview some of the potential contenders to lift the ultimate prize later this year.
Before we get into the preview, odds, and predictions, check out our how-to bet on NASCAR page.
NASCAR Cup Series Odds
| Driver |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | +500 | +550 | +550 |
| William Byron | +700 | +750 | +750 |
| Denny Hamlin | +800 | +800 | +950 |
| Martin Truex Jr | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Christopher Bell | +850 | +850 | +900 |
| Kyle Busch | +900 | +600 | +900 |
| Chase Elliott | +1000 | +900 | +900 |
| Joey Logano | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Ryan Blaney | +1100 | +1100 | +1100 |
| Ross Chastain | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
These are the usual suspects who are typically in the running each and every week. Below, find the current standings, 1-10:
- Martin Truex Jr - 525 points
- William Byron - 512 points
- Ryan Blaney - 501 points
- Ross Chastain - 501 points
- Kevin Harvick - 500 points
- Kyle Busch - 496 points
- Christopher Bell - 493 points
- Denny Hamlin - 462 points
- Joey Logano - 444 points
- Kyle Larson - 440 points
Byron and Busch are tied for the most wins this season with three apiece. Byron also has the most top-five finishes with seven and the most top-10 finishes with nine.
Betting Outlook
Kyle Larson (+550)
It's actually quite intriguing that Larson is the frontrunner at the moment because he's actually 10th in the standings and 85 points behind first-place Truex Jr. But, as we know, things can change in a heartbeat. Larson, who won it all in 2021, has two victories, six top-five finishes, and seven top-10 finishes. However, he's also racked up five DNFs. Larson is in good form lately though, finishing top-10 in three of the last four races. That includes a win at the All-Star race. Larson knows what it takes to be a champ therefore he'll be an interesting one to follow as the season rolls on.
William Byron (+700)
Byron is truly having a banner year. He is right on Truex Jr's heels and has led for 717 laps, which is more than any other driver on the Cup Series circuit. His wins have come in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Darlington. He was on a heater in late February/early March, notching back-to-back victories. It almost feels like a lock that Byron will be within the top-10 every week with the way he's driven over the past few months. Definitely one to keep an eye on. The momentum is building for him.
Denny Hamlin (+800)
Hamlin is a seasoned veteran, which is exactly why he's among the frontrunners. But, the Toyota driver isn't having the greatest season. He's all the way down in eighth place in the Cup Series standings, trailing top spot by 63 points. In 16 starts, he's notched one win, four top-fives, and six top-10s. He's having a rough go as of late though, finishing within the top 10 just once in his previous five races. However, there is tons of time left for him to find some consistency.
Martin Truex Jr (+800)
The best driver in the Cup Series right now, Martin Truex Jr. He won at Dover and then last weekend at Sonoma. His worst start this year was a 31st-place finish at Darlington. Other than that, Truex has been rather consistent. He's got three top-five finishes in a row and continues to trend in the right direction. Truex was the champion in 2017. With just a 13-point lead though, he'll need to keep his foot on the gas pedal in order to stay in first.
Christopher Bell (+850)
Bell has one win, five top-five finishes, and nine top-10 finishes in 2023. While he's not driving so well in recent weeks, Bell has enjoyed some nice spells. In March, he was fifth, sixth, and third in three consecutive races. The next month, he won at Bristol. Bell is proving that he can keep up with the best of them. Don't sleep on him in the NASCAR Cup Series futures.
Kyle Busch (+900)
Busch is one of the oldest drivers in the Cup Series and has two regular-season titles and two playoff trophies, with the latest one coming in 2019. Busch is certainly in contention currently, sitting in sixth in the standings. He and Larson are the only drivers with three victories. Busch won at Talladega, California, and World Wide Technology Raceway.
NASCAR Cup Series Futures Picks
At this point in the season, the best bet is to pick a few drivers who could potentially be in the first when the playoffs roll around. To me, there are three who should be a lock. Truex Jr, Byron, and Bell.
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