The Cup Series will go will celebrate the 4th of July weekend in the streets of Chicago. The race last year was a huge experiment for NASCAR and it was successful despite the rain and the race being shortened because of darkness. The weather forecast looks much better this year, I the race should be even better in 2024. The Grant Park 165 can be seen Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
I had Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson on my betting card last week. Bell totally dominated the first two Stages, but the No. 20 team gave up their track position to pit for fuel and tires. Bell got caught up in a wreck while racing in the “land of the idiots.” That sucked… Larson also ran up front and battled Denny Hamlin for the lead. Larson had to pit for gas in overtime and that ended his day. Hopefully we have better luck in the streets of Chicago.
DRAFTKINGS ODDS CHICAGO
* The odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook. The odds could change between the time of this article and the time you place your bet.
BETTING STRATEGY FOR CHICAGO
We do not have much data to work with to handicap the Grant Park 165 in Chicago, but I am going to use this to my advantage this week. I have seen enough…. The race Sunday should come down to a battle between Shane Van Gisbergen, Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick. They were the class of the field last year and I see no reason why they will not dominate the race Sunday.
The biggest threats to my “Big Three” are Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, AJ Allmendinger and Michael McDowell. They are all worth betting this week, but my research has them finishing right behind my “Big Three” of SVG, Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick.
If you want to swing for the fence this week, you should add Ty Gibbs, Daniel Suarez and/or Justin Haley to your card. These are the best long-shot bets in the race.
BETTING CARD FOR CHICAGO
SHANE VAN GISBERGEN (+550): There is no doubt that SVG is the best street course racer in the field. The race Sunday will be his third on the Chicago Street Course, since he raced in the Cup Series race last year and he will race in the Xfinity Series and Cup Series races this weekend. I would not be surprised if SVG wins all three races. He is just that good. His odds my drop below +550 if he dominates the Xfinity Series race, dominates Cup Series practice and wins the pole for the Grant Park 165, so I will bet SVG now while there is still some meat on the bone.
CHRISTOPHER BELL (+550): I can make an argument that SVG was not the best driver on the Chicago Street Course last year. Bell qualified fourth, won both Stages, led 37 laps and at one time he had a nine second lead over second place. The only thing that kept Bell out of Victory Lane was NASCAR’s decision to shorten the race after Bell stopped for fuel. The No. 20 team in on a hot streak right now. Bell is my pick to win, so I will bet him at +550 early in the week.
TYLER REDDICK (+600): Reddick also had a good race in the streets of Chicago, but was burned by NASCAR’s decision to shorten the race. Reddick qualified 2nd, finished 2nd in Stage 1, 3rd in Stage 2 and led 8 laps. He has the best average finishing position and the best Driver Rating on the road courses in the Gen-7 car. Reddick is pissed that he gave away the win last week in Nashville. He may not make the same mistake Sunday.
JUSTIN HALEY (+10000): I will throw a dart with Haley at 100-1 odds and hope he hits the bulls-eye. Haley had the best chance to beat SVG last year in Chicago. Haley lead 23 laps and he passed SVG for the lead with four laps to go. He could not hold off the street course veteran, but Haley put on a show with his 2nd-place finish. He is having a better season in 2024. Haley is worth a spot on your betting card at these high odds.
* Make sure to shop around. You may be able to find better odds then what DraftKings offers.
** I will not be posting updated Best Bets this weekend, but you can ask me on Twitter or in the Member’s Forum s there are any other drivers I like after qualifying.
Good luck Sunday!
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