North Wilkesboro All-Star race picks

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series heads to North Carolina this weekend for the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro. Although this race is essentially an exhibition that doesn't count for any points toward the standings, it's still a great chance to potentially win some money and enjoy some short-track action. Kyle Larson is once again the favorite at +650 despite his crash last Sunday at the Goodyear 400, while Kevin Harvick (+750), Christopher Bell (+800), William Byron (+800), and Joey Logano (+900) follow. Of course, Byron won at Darlington. Keep reading for the North Wilkesboro All-Star race picks.

Before we get into the preview, odds, and predictions, check out our how-to bet on NASCAR page.

All-Star Race Odds

Driver
Kyle Larson	+650	+700	+700
Kevin Harvick	+750	+700	+700
Christopher Bell	+800	+1000	+900
William Byron	+800	+1000	+700
Joey Logano	+900	+900	+900
Martin Truex Jr	+1000	+1000	+1000
Ross Chastain	+1000	+1000	+900
Denny Hamlin	+1100	+1000	+1100
Chase Elliott	+1400	+1100	+1100
Kyle Busch	+1600	+1200	+900

This is the first time the All-Star race will be at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, having previously been held at the Texas Motor Speedway the last two years. Ryan Blaney won in 2022, while Larson finished in first in 2021.

It's actually rather difficult to know how these Cup Series drivers will do here. The last time this track hosted a NASCAR race was in 1996, when most of the participants were still children.

Kyle Larson (+650)

Okay, so there's a reason Larson is the frontrunner. The track is rather similar to Richmond and Martinsville and Larson won at both already this season. He's historically good on shorter tracks and Hendrick Motorsports, which Larson drives for, has won two of the previous three All-Star races. However, he is coming off a rough showing at Darlington, ultimately finishing in 20th.

Kevin Harvick (+750)

Although Harvick is way down in 11th in the Cup Series standings, his odds here are more about past success on tracks like Wilkesboro. He had a runner-up finish and a win in two races at Richmond in the 2022 campaign and also races very well in Phoenix, almost always landing in the top-10. Harvick is also a seasoned veteran.

Christopher Bell (+800)

Bell is having a solid season, currently sitting in fourth. He has six top-five finishes in 23' and a win at Bristol last month. A fourth-place finish at Richmond and sixth in Phoenix is exactly why he's one of the favorites. Again, that's because there is a similarity between those two tracks and Sundays in North Carolina. He's worth a look.

Joey Logano (+900)

You can't sleep on last year's playoff winner, right? Logano is still a force on the Cup Series circuit. Although he's not off to the greatest start this year, Logano has a pair of wins and a seventh-place finish at Richmond. He was also 11th in Phoenix. Not the greatest short-track driver but remember, he did capture the title last year at Phoenix.

Martin Truex Jr (+1000)

Truex Jr was first in the Clash at the Coliseum in February, although it didn't count for points. Nevertheless, that was a very short track just like Wilkesboro. He was also in a prime position to win Richmond before a late caution which caused him to slip into 11th.