Denny Hamlin is already viewed as a future NASCAR Cup Series Hall of Fame driver.
But his career has a void.
With 51 career wins, including last Saturday’s night Round of 16 finale at Bristol Motor Speedway, Hamlin has placed in the top 10 in 52 percent of 643 Cup starts. During his 19 seasons, Hamlin has compiled 15 top-10, end-of-year rankings. But he has yet to clinch a circuit championship.
DraftKings Sportsbook is betting Hamlin will finally claim the coveted crown. The sports betting franchise is listing the driver of the No. 11 Toyota as the favorite (+400), entering the Round of 12 opener at Texas Motor Speedway. The odds were released Sunday.
Martin Truex Jr., the regular-season champ, held the second-best odds at +425. Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson, were tied at +450.
Bubba Wallace drew the longest odds at +6000.
A look at the #NASCARPlayoffs as the Round of 12 begin at @TXMotorSpeedway! pic.twitter.com/kYqOsHmDDA
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 17, 2023
NASCAR Greenlights Busch Light Clash Trilogy
Glitz and glamour will return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024.
Stock-car racing’s premier circuit announced Sunday that the Busch Light Clash will kick off the season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Feb. 4. It marks the third season in a row the Cup Series has held a premier event in Hollywood. Martin Truex Jr. won the exhibition this season.
For the first time, a NASCAR Mexico Series race will precede the Cup event.
“This is an incredible honor for the NASCAR Mexico Series and its drivers,” said Jimmy Morales, president and general manager of the NASCAR Mexico Series, as reported by NASCAR.com. “The competition in our series is always intense, but I know our drivers will want nothing more than to become the first Mexican driver to win inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This is going to be a race we will not soon forget.”
LA’s finest. NASCAR’s fastest.
The #BuschLightClash is back. pic.twitter.com/VgvI5iuMqZ
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 17, 2023
NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 Championship Driver Odds
Here is an early look at the championship odds for the 12 drivers who qualified for the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, according to DraftKings Sportsbook:
| Driver | NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 Championship Odds | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Denny Hamlin | +400 |  |
| Martin Truex Jr. | +425 | |
| William Byron | +450 | |
| Kyle Larson | +450 | |
| Christopher Bell | +1100 | |
| Kyle Busch | +1200 | |
| Tyler Reddick | +1200 | |
| Chris Buescher | +1200 | |
| Brad Keselowski | +1500 | |
| Ryan Blaney | +2000 | |
| Ross Chastain | +2500 | |
| Bubba Wallace | +6000 | |
*Odds released Sunday
Not done yet. @BubbaWallace is through to the Round of 12. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/49Aab8cVgD
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 17, 2023
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