The NASCAR Cup Series will compete on the dirt in “Bristol Baby.” This is a unique race for the Cup Series, not just because it is on dirt, but because of the schedule. There are two practice sessions Friday and then four heat races Saturday. The odds are going to change once the sportsbooks see which drivers have the fastest cars. I want to get ahead of the sportsbooks, so I am making my bets early this week.
I am not only betting on the drivers listed below, but I am also betting that Kyle Larson will NOT win the race. There is no doubt that Larson is one of the best dirt track racers on the planet, but his results on the dirt at Bristol do not warrant 5-1 odds. Larson finished 29th in the first race and fourth in the second race. He has only led 27 laps in the two races. Could he win? Absolutely, but I need better than 5-1 odds to bet on the No. 5 car Sunday.
DRAFTKINGS ODDS FOR BRISTOL
* The odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook. The odds could change between the time of this article and the time you place your bet.
** The first number is the amount of money based on the second number (the amount of the wager). So if you bet $1 on Kyle Larson at 5-1 odds, you will win $50.
Here are my bets for Bristol based on a $100 bankroll for the race….
TYLER REDDICK (6-1): Reddick dominated the Bristol Dirt Race last year. He led 99 laps and he was leading on the last lap, but he was pushed out of the way, causing Reddick to finish second. Reddick has a strong dirt racing background. He will be riding the cushion and making fast laps. I will bet Reddick as my favorite this week.
CHRISTOPHER BELL (7-1): Bell has not dominated either dirt race at Bristol, but that could change Sunday. Bell had the third-best average running position last year in this race. He race 88% of the laps in the top-five. Bell will have a good chance to win if he runs nearly 90% of the laps in the top-five Sunday. He is too good of a dirt track racer to fade on my betting card at Bristol.
JOEY LOGANO (10-1): Who had been the best driver so far in the two Bristol Dirt Track Races? Logano is not the first driver that comes to mind when you think of the top dirt track racers in the field, but he has been the best. Logano won the inaugural Bristol Dirt Race and he finished third last year. Logano will get some extra track time to perfect his skills since he is running the Truck Series race Saturday. Logano is a good bet at 10-1 odds.
KYLE BUSCH (12-1): Rowdy is the best driver at Bristol. It doesn’t matter if the race is on concrete or dirt, you cannot bet against Busch. He won this race last year and I will bet he can do it again. Busch will be the favorite in the Bristol Night Race. He is a good value bet at 12-1 odds Sunday.
DANIEL SUAREZ (25-1): When you watch the Chili Bowl, Knoxville Nationals or the Kings Royal, you will not see Suarez on the track. He admits that he has little dirt track experience. He also admits that he loves racing on the dirt at Bristol. Suarez finished fourth in the first race at Bristol and 12th last year. Drivers have to lead laps in order to win. Suarez led 58 laps in the first Bristol Dirt Race and 64 laps last year. He just needs a bit of luck (like Kyle Busch got last year) in order to win the race on Easter.
LONG SHOT SPECIAL
RYAN PREECE (80-1): Preece is one of the best short track drivers in NASCAR. His background is in modified cars and not on dirt, but many of the drivers have said that once the dirt is packed down, the race runs like a normal race at Bristol. We have seen crazy things happen in these unique races (like dirt track races and Superspeedway races), so I will bet a few dollars on Preece Sunday.
MICHAEL MCDOWELL (80-1): McDowell is another driver without much dirt track experience. He does have a crew chief that likes to gamble. He did it last week to gain track position and I expect the No. 34 team will do it again Sunday. McDowell finished ninth in the Bristol Dirt Race last year. Pit strategy and late race wrecks could allow McDowell to steal a win Sunday.
Good luck Sunday!
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