How to Bet NASCAR isn’t just about picking a race winner—it’s about understanding the track, the drivers, and the betting markets that give you real value every race weekend.
If you would like to bet on NASCAR, but have never done so before, don’t worry.
Here’s a useful sports betting guide of the most popular ways people bet on NASCAR.
MyBookie Teaches You Ways to NASCAR Betting: A Guide to Smarter Wagers on the Track
Sports Betting 101: Forget Picking Winners! Learn the REAL Money-Making NASCAR Bets Most Fans Miss
How to Bet on Sports | MyBookie wants you to be a better gambler with our Sports Betting Guide
Table of Contents
- MyBookie Teaches You Ways to NASCAR Betting: A Guide to Smarter Wagers on the Track
- How to Bet on NASCAR Basics
- What Ways To NASCAR Betting
- NASCAR Betting Guide for Beginners
- How to Bet on NASCAR Races Successfully
- NASCAR Betting Tips from Experts
- How to Bet on NASCAR Online
- Popular Betting Markets in the Motorsport
- Taking Advantage of NASCAR Live Betting Odds Shifts
- NASCAR Betting Picks Development
- Advanced NASCAR Betting Strategies
- Common NASCAR Betting Mistakes
- Popular Betting Markets in the Motorsport
- Avoid These Common NASCAR Betting Mistakes
- Conclusion
Why Bet on NASCAR?
We are at the part of the year where there is not a lot going on in the world of sports, with the MLB pretty much the only game in town.
That is not the same story for fans of motor sports, though, as there is a lot happening there.
NASCAR is an organization that you can definitely count n in the summer months, as they usually have 2 or 3 races going on every weekend, so there is a lot to wager on.
Unlike betting on major team sports, NASCAR rewards in-depth knowledge of drivers, crews, tracks, and race conditions.
NASCAR races offer a variety of betting markets with sportsbook odds that shift based on real-time developments.
With races nearly every weekend during the season, bettors have consistent opportunities to find value, especially if they follow the sport closely.
The question now is how to bet on NASCAR and potentially end up in profit.
Let’s take a closer look at wagering on this truly exciting sport.
^ TopHow to Bet on NASCAR Basics
If you have never wagered on NASCAR before, you might well believe that picking the winner of a given race is the only way to go.
That is not the case, though, but we will get into that more in a moment.
For now, let’s start with a couple of things to pay attention to with NASCAR betting.
Understanding NASCAR Race Formats
NASCAR races are not just run on oval tracks, as we also get street and road races, which requires a very different set of skills.
Some drivers are better than others on different tracks.
NASCAR Betting Markets Overview
As we already mentioned, there are more ways to bet on NASCAR races than simply picking a winner, so the markets are going to offer up more for the average bettor, including thinks like top 5 and top 10 finishers, as well as futures like the Cup Series Championship winner.
^ TopWhat Ways To NASCAR Betting
How to bet NASCAR, start simple by picking the driver that you believe is going to win a race, which is similar to betting on the money line in other sports.
The only problem with this type of bet is the fact that there are a lot of factors to consider in NASCAR racing.
We are talking of crashes and sometimes teammates help each other out.
This makes it harder to pick the winner than most other sporting events.
Since there aren’t any overwhelming favorites like in sports like football or basketball.
The odds given in these types of bets are actually very good.
A $100 bet should win you at least $500, even if you pick the driver with the best odds of winning.
Here is an example of what an outright betting line for a NASCAR event looks like, and the potential payouts.
Check These Racing Odds
- William Byron +500
- Denney Hamlim +600
- Christopher Bell +4000
- Tony Stewart +1500
Looking at these odds, if you place a $100 bet on Bryon, who has the best odds in this race.
You get a $500 payout.
If you place a $100 bet on Christopher Bell, who has the worst odds, you will get a $4,000 payout.
Most people that bet on NASCAR tend to place numerous bets on races.
That’s on both the favorites and underdogs.
To improve their chances of winning while increasing their chances of a big payout if a long shot wins the race.
^ TopMajor Factors on Betting the Races
Crew and Driver Strategy
NASCAR isn’t just about how fast a car goes—it’s about when to pit, tire management, and timing.
A brilliant crew chief can change the outcome of a race with the right pit strategy.
This makes it essential to track the chemistry between drivers and their teams.
Individual Driver Performance
Some drivers thrive on certain tracks or under specific conditions.
Knowing a driver’s past performance at superspeedways, short tracks, or road courses can be more valuable than just looking at recent finishes.
Track Type
Track types dramatically affect outcomes.
Superspeedways like Talladega often result in chaotic finishes due to drafting packs.
While road courses like Circuit of the Americas reward precision and control.
Short tracks, intermediates, and dirt races all require different skill sets.
Race Conditions
Tire wear, temperature, and even altitude can influence car performance.
Rain delays and unexpected cautions can completely change the race tempo, giving sharp bettors a chance to capitalize.
^ TopNASCAR Betting Guide for Beginners
When starting out, we suggest not jumping right into trying to pick a winner for the next race.
While a top 10 finisher does not deliver odds as lucrative as nailing the race winner, it is a safer bet for beginners.
Again, though, just making a bet based on the current top driver is not enough, as you also need to take the type of track and the history of said driver on that track into account.
^ TopHow to Bet on NASCAR Races Successfully
A little bit of research goes a long way.
The official NASCAR website has a ton of details to help you, including driver standings, starting position of the drivers, and much more, all of which can help you narrow down your choices for a race rather quickly.
Once you narrow it down to 2 or 3 drivers you like, you can then look at the odds to see if there is value in the market.
^ TopNASCAR Betting Tips from Experts
So, what should you specifically be looking at when you want to bet on NASCAR?
It is always worth looking at whether a driver is on a hot or cold streak of form, but that is not the entire story.
A driver on a poor run could perform well as a track he has performed well on over the years, and vice versa.
The type of track is also important.
For example, if you have a road race coming up, a guy like Shane Van Gisbergen is usually money, but you would not necessarily play him on an oval track.
^ TopHow to Bet on NASCAR Online
Now that you have a grasp of the basics of NASCAR betting, let’s talk about where you can go to place your wagers.
Choosing the Right Online Sportsbook
It all begins with choosing the right sportsbook, which means looking for one that offers a variety of different wagers for each race.
Here at MyBookie, we always strive to do that, as well as offer competitive odds.
^ TopPopular Betting Markets in the Motorsport
Race Winner
The most straightforward bet—pick who wins the race.
While favorites are tempting, underdogs often offer excellent value, especially on chaotic tracks.
Podium Finish
Picking the outright winner of the driver to finish in the top three, which is what this type of bet allows you to do.
This bet lets you improve your chances of winning.
That’s is why the payouts aren’t as big as if you had picked a driver to win the race outright.
If you want to minimize your risk of losing, this is a great way to go.
- Top 3 Finish:
Higher risk, higher reward. - Top 5 Finish:
A great option for drivers consistently near the front. - Top 10 Finish:
Lower odds but more consistent payouts, especially for mid-tier drivers with strong track records.
Head-to-Head Driver Matchups
This is a fun way to bet on NASCAR races, because it allows you to bet on a head to head match-up between two drivers.
Bookmakers often list two drivers—your bet is simply on which one finishes higher.
This is a solid option if you’re confident in a specific driver’s performance, even if they’re not likely to win the race.
With this type of bet, you will be dealing with both positive and negative money lines.
Because a driver like Jimmie Johnson has a better chance of defeating a driver like Danica Patrick head to head.
So the money line will reflect that by giving Johnson the negative money line and Patrick the positive money line.
The outcome of this type of bet is decided at the end of the race, and you win if your driver finishes ahead of the other driver.
The best part about the bet is that it doesn’t require your driver to win the race.
It just requires your driver to be better than the other driver, and gives you a better chance of winning some money.
Stage Winner Bets
Each NASCAR race is divided into stages.
You can bet on which driver will win a specific stage, which rewards short-term dominance rather than full-race strategy.
Futures and Championship Betting
These are placed on events that have yet to happen, like place bets on who will win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship or which drivers will make the playoffs.
Long-term will always offer big value bets if you identify breakout performers early in the season.
Place a bet on who will win the Sprint Cup next season, or who will win an event like the Daytona 500 next year is a good example of this.
These types of bets require you to wait for a while until you get the results.
Because the event you are betting on is a few months away, so make sure you won’t need the funds before placing the bets.
The positive thing about the events being so far away is that the odds are very good, and lead to big payouts if you are able to win.
NASCAR Prop Bets to Wager
When learning how to bet NASCAR, Prop bets are quite interesting and a must on each race.
Because they allow you to bet on different things that have nothing to do with the winner of the race.
Some of the things you can place a prop bet on is which manufacturer’s car will win the race, or if the race will end with a caution flag.
Prop bets let you wager on specific race outcomes, the most popular are:
- Fastest Lap:
Which driver will post the fastest lap time. - Cautions:
Total number of cautions or whether a caution will occur in a stage. - Margin of Victory:
A bet on the margin of victory can lead to nice profit.
Live Betting NASCAR Races
Live betting lets you respond in real time:
- Adjust bets based on pit stop outcomes, cautions, and fuel strategy.
- If your initial pick falters, hedge with a promising driver on the rise.
- If a dominant driver emerges early, his odds will fall—lock in early bets before that happens.
Taking Advantage of NASCAR Live Betting Odds Shifts
Live betting in NASCAR is a growing market where bettors can adjust based on what’s happening on the track.
- If your driver struggles early, hedge your position by placing a small bet on a new contender.
- If a driver dominates early, understand that his odds will shorten.
Betting early can offer better value. - Pit stops and cautions can dramatically affect momentum—watch closely and act fast.
Track Type Matters
Some drivers dominate on superspeedways but struggle on short tracks.
Always account for a driver’s track history.
Weather and Race Conditions
Hot tracks lead to more tire wear.
Rain can delay a race or shift it into a night session, affecting visibility and car handling.
Driver and Team Performance
Watch recent momentum.
A top-tier team that’s been struggling with car setups may still be off-pace for a few more weeks.
While an underdog team might be improving under the radar.
^ TopNASCAR Betting Picks Development
The best way to routinely win while betting on NASCAR is to put in the work during the week.
Are Cup Series drivers dropping into the Xfinity and Truck Series for a race? Is the track good for the driver you like, or is it one where they routinely struggle? Again, the NASCAR website will answer a lot of your questions.
^ TopAdvanced NASCAR Betting Strategies
There is a lot to learn about how to bet on NASCAR, including learning about advanced data such as speed by segment, green flag speed, and a whole lot more.
Learn the basics first before moving on.
^ TopCommon NASCAR Betting Mistakes
The most common mistakes in NASCAR betting are consistently wagering on your favorite driver and disregarding form and track type or history.
Also, just because a driver is in the top 5 on the overall standings, it does not mean they are a shoo-in to perform well in every race.
^ TopPopular Betting Markets in the Motorsport
Race Winner
The most straightforward bet—pick who wins the race.
While favorites are tempting, underdogs often offer excellent value, especially on chaotic tracks.
Podium Finish
Picking the outright winner of the driver to finish in the top three, which is what this type of bet allows you to do.
This bet lets you improve your chances of winning.
That’s is why the payouts aren’t as big as if you had picked a driver to win the race outright.
If you want to minimize your risk of losing, this is a great way to go.
- Top 3 Finish:
Higher risk, higher reward. - Top 5 Finish:
A great option for drivers consistently near the front. - Top 10 Finish:
Lower odds but more consistent payouts, especially for mid-tier drivers with strong track records.
Head-to-Head Driver Matchups
This is a fun way to bet on NASCAR races, because it allows you to bet on a head to head match-up between two drivers.
Bookmakers often list two drivers—your bet is simply on which one finishes higher.
This is a solid option if you’re confident in a specific driver’s performance, even if they’re not likely to win the race.
With this type of bet, you will be dealing with both positive and negative money lines.
Because a driver like Kyle Larson has a better chance of defeating a driver like Will Brown head to head.
So the money line will reflect that by giving Johnson the negative money line and Patrick the positive money line.
The outcome of this type of bet is decided at the end of the race, and you win if your driver finishes ahead of the other driver.
The best part about the bet is that it doesn’t require your driver to win the race.
It just requires your driver to be better than the other driver, and gives you a better chance of winning some money.
Stage Winner Bets
Each NASCAR race is divided into stages.
You can bet on which driver will win a specific stage, which rewards short-term dominance rather than full-race strategy.
Futures and Championship Betting
These are placed on events that have yet to happen, like place bets on who will win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship or which drivers will make the playoffs.
Long-term will always offer big value bets if you identify breakout performers early in the season.
Place a bet on who will win the Sprint Cup next season, or who will win an event like the Daytona 500 next year is a good example of this.
These types of bets require you to wait for a while until you get the results.
Because the event you are betting on is a few months away, so make sure you won’t need the funds before placing the bets.
The positive thing about the events being so far away is that the odds are very good, and lead to big payouts if you are able to win.
NASCAR Prop Bets to Wager
When learning how to bet NASCAR, Prop bets are quite interesting and a must on each race.
Because they allow you to bet on different things that have nothing to do with the winner of the race.
Some of the things you can place a prop bet on is which manufacturer’s car will win the race, or if the race will end with a caution flag.
Prop bets let you wager on specific race outcomes, the most popular are:
- Fastest Lap:
Which driver will post the fastest lap time. - Cautions:
Total number of cautions or whether a caution will occur in a stage. - Margin of Victory:
A bet on the margin of victory can lead to nice profit.
Live Betting NASCAR Races
Live betting lets you respond in real time:
- Adjust bets based on pit stop outcomes, cautions, and fuel strategy.
- If your initial pick falters, hedge with a promising driver on the rise.
- If a dominant driver emerges early, his odds will fall—lock in early bets before that happens.
Avoid These Common NASCAR Betting Mistakes
Only Backing the Favorite
Favorites win more often than underdogs—but not always.
Many races are unpredictable, and betting only on chalk limits your value.
Ignoring Track History
Driver performance varies by track.
Don’t assume a driver on a hot streak will thrive everywhere—do your homework.
Not Managing Your Bankroll
NASCAR is volatile.
Manage your unit size and avoid going all-in on one driver or race.
Forgetting the Impact of Weather
Never overlook weather.
Rain delays, wind, and temperature all affect how a car handles, which can disrupt betting expectations.
^ TopConclusion
Wagering on any sport requires you to put in some work in order to be successful over the length of a long season.
Put in the time, pick your wagers carefully, and you can have success while wagering on NASCAR.
MyBookie’s Sportsbook Betting Guide | Ways to NASCAR Betting
Ready to rev up your winnings? Accelerate your knowledge with MyBookie’s comprehensive NASCAR Betting Guide, equipping you with the strategies and tips needed to make smarter bets on every thrilling race!
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