The battle for the Cup Series Championship takes a bit of a break this weekend, as the focus will be on the All-Star Race, which is set to go on Sunday at the Texas Motor Speedway. It would be easy to skip this one and write it off as somehow unimportant, but perhaps we should consider the fact that the last 2 Cup Series winners won the All-Star Race on their way to a championship. Is that simply a bit of a coincidence, or is it perhaps a sign that the winner of this year’s event is signaling that they are ready to win it all? We, of course, won’t get the answer to that for some time yet, but it is worth considering. For now, let’s look at the favorites to win the Cup Series All-Star Open so you can get ready to place your bets against their NASAR Odds.
NASCAR Cup Series Betting Preview for All-Star Open Race
Kyle Larson (+500)
This race might well serve as a welcome break for Larson, as he is having a tough time reaching the heights of last year, which, truth be told, was always going to be an impossible task. Then again, the All-Star Open may also serve as a chance to get back on track, as this is a race that he has won in 2 of the last 3 seasons. That is probably the main reason why he is in as the favorite here, but it is also worth noting that Larson won in Texas during the playoffs last season, so this seems to be a track and a race that he really enjoys.
Kyle Busch (+650)
For a driver as successful as Busch, it seems odd to suggest that this is proving to be a bit of a comeback season for him. Since winning the Cup Series in 2019, Busch has taken a bit of a backward step, but he is racing well this season and currently finds himself sitting in 3rd in the driver standings. As far as the All-Star Open goes, this is a race that he has won twice in the past, with the latest of those victories coming in 2017. He ran 8th in Texas last season, but he also won there the year prior, so very much one to watch this weekend.
Chase Elliott (+700)
As we mentioned at the top of this piece, the last 2 winners of the All-Star Open have gone on to win the Cup Series. Elliott was one of those drivers, taking this race in 2020 before going on to be crowned champion at the end of the season. Elliott has just 1 win this season, but his consistency has been as good as always, which is why he is currently sitting atop the driver standings. His last 2 runs in Texas have resulted in top 10 finishes, but there is reason to believe he might do better on Sunday.
William Byron (+830)
One of the more pleasant surprises of the NASCAR season has been the emergence of William Byron. He already has 2 wins on the season and is sitting in the top 4 in the driver standings, which is more than enough to convince the bookies that he might be in the hunt to win the All-Star Open in Texas. Certainly, his run at that track last season, when he finished 2nd, suggests that the bookies might well have a valid point.
