The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs continue Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Road Course, with the 2021 Bank of America Roval 400. Widely known as one of the toughest tracks for the drivers, The Roval 400 also promises to produce one of the most exciting races of the season.
The race will mark the 32nd round of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series, the sixth race of the playoffs, and the final race of the Round of 12. The stakes are higher than ever, and for some drivers, this will give them one last shot to advance to the next stage of the playoffs.
Still, the eyes are on only a handful of drivers, who have found themselves priced as the favorites by the online sports betting providers. But the question remains – will they deliver, or will we see another upset victory?
Hamlin Chasing His First in Charlotte
Denny Hamlin could not deliver at the 2021 YellaWood 500, where he placed seventh, well behind the surprise winner Bubba Wallace. The latter has secured his first victory and became the first Black driver to win in NASCAR’s premier series race since Wendell Scott in 1963.
Despite not winning, Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, was incredibly proud of Wallace.
“It’s big in so many ways,” said Hamlin. “I can’t even express it. Certainly way more emotional than what it is when I win.”
While owning a winning team is a massive accomplishment, Hamlin needs to focus on winning the championship. The first step toward achieving that goal is winning the 2021 Bank of America Roval 400, where the 40-year-old needs to overcome his demons.
Hamlin enters the race seeking his first NASCAR Cup Series win at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Although he has done well on Charlotte oval – two poles, 11 top-5 finishes, and 19 top-10 finishes – his best ROVAL remains 12th-place from 2018.
Still, Hamlin (+1200) has shown great form during the playoffs and is, thanks to his win in Las Vegas, already through into the next round. While that could suggest that Hamlin won’t give his all on Sunday, it also means that the 40-year-old can drive without any pressure.
Allmendinger Could Surprise
A.J. Allmendinger has done well at the ROVAL, winning both of the last two Drive for the Cure 250 races. Still, he isn’t getting much respect on the betting market and enters the weekend race priced as one of the outsiders at +1200.
WHAT A RACE.@AJDinger took home the checkered in overtime as Chase Briscoe spun at @CLTMotorSpdwy‘s ROVAL. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/BHhUTSYIYV
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 10, 2020
Although an Xfinity driver, the “Dinger” had shown his worth in August, when he claimed his second career win at Indianapolis. Whether he will show up on Sunday is up in the air, but the 39-year-old has already proven that he has what it takes to win in Charlotte.
If you’re looking to bet online on one of the NASCAR drivers with good odds and a solid chance to upset the field, Allmendinger is the man to follow.
Predictions
NASCAR Odds show Chase Elliott (+160) as the favorite to win the 2021 Bank of America 400, which makes a lot of sense. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion is one of the best drivers on the Charlotte Motor Speedway and is in excellent form, having finished inside the top-five in two of the last four races.
Elliott averages an impressive 11.9 finish in Charlotte, has won the race in 2020 and 2019, and placed second earlier this year. However, at the offered betting odds, there isn’t much value backing the reigning champion.
Instead, we’re siding with Hamlin to deliver and extend his lead ahead of Kyle Larson, who is currently only 19 points behind the South Point 400 winner. Priced at similar odds, Allmendinger also presents us with an excellent bet given his previous success on this track.
