Betting on NASCAR Next Race
DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne
- Date: March 1st, 2026, 15:30 ET
- Track: Circuit of the Americas. Austin, Texas, USA.
BetUS has unveiled its NASCAR odds for the 2026 season, and those who like to bet on NASCAR online will have a multitude of opportunities with this year’s offerings.
Let’s dig in and find out who the contenders are to win the upcoming Daytona 500 and the odds to win the NASCAR Series Championship while reviewing the rule changes for this season.
After two big wins by Tyler Reddick at the Daytona 500 and the Autotrader 400, it’s now time for the DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne race.
If you enjoy motorsports betting, you’ll probably like to bet on March Madness too.
Breaking the Old Rules
NASCAR breaking news and rumors include the elimination of the old “win, and you’re in” format for the 2026 season, which means there will be no automatic playoff berths for winners of any Series Cup race. The merit system is back and will reward drivers for points accrued during the season.
The top 16 drivers will be included in “The Chase” which consists of the final 10 races, with winners getting 55 points, increased from the usual 40, during this span. This modification was implemented to reward consistency and aggression throughout the season, which is likely to increase the level of competition.
Moreover, for tracks under 1.5 miles and road courses, the horsepower of the engines will increase from 670 to 750. Look for Chevrolet and other manufacturers to debut newer, more streamlined bodies, while testing procedures will also be overhauled. In addition, a new safety precaution, the A-post flap, has been mandated to prevent rollovers.
North Wilkesboro Speedway and a street race in San Diego will be added to the schedule, while the championship race will shift from the Phoenix Raceway back to Homestead-Miami Speedway. Those who are already planning their NASCAR predictions should be aware of these changes.
Start Your Engines
NASCAR has been growing in popularity and is no longer a sport that caters to a niche audience.
The season begins with the Great American Race, the Daytona 500, also known as NASCAR’s Super Bowl. It is the organization’s richest and most prestigious race, which will see over $30 million in prize money dispersed, with nearly $3 million allocated for the winner.
As we review the Daytona 500 odds, we see that Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano (winner of the 2015 Daytona 500) have been installed as co-favorites at +1000, while reigning champ William Byron will attempt to be the first driver in history to win three consecutive Harley J. Earl Trophies at odds of +1100.
But wait, there’s more! Our Daytona 500 odds are currently available on Top 3, Top 5, and Top 10 finishes, which will keep bettors glued to their seats as they watch the most skilled drivers in the world wheel around a 2½-mile oval 200 times before the checkered flag is waved.
That is only the tip of the iceberg, as the 2026 NASCAR schedule includes 36 points-paying races on 31 oval, four road, and one street track. It is an entire season that runs from February to November, culminating in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Those who are looking ahead can place their wagers on the NASCAR Series champion. The early favorites at BetUS are Denny Hamlin (+500), Kyle Larson (+500), William Byron (+550), Ryan Blaney (+550), Christopher Bell (+650), Chase Elliott (+850), and Chase Briscoe (+900), as well as 28 other drivers from which to choose.
Betting on underdogs in NASCAR can yield significant rewards for those willing to take calculated risks. Daniel Suárez’s victory at the 2024 Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway is a prime example. Entering the race as a 35-1 longshot, Suárez clinched his second career Cup Series win in a dramatic finish, underscoring the potential value in betting on less-favored drivers.
2025 Recap
It is always wise to look behind before we move ahead. In this case, let’s review the 2025 season and how these talented drivers fared. Last year’s NASCAR Cup Series champion was Kyle Larson, who repeated his championship season from 2021, while William Byron claimed his second straight Daytona 500 victory in his flashy Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports.
Byron was running seventh at the time of a crash that took out most of the field, with Denny Hamlin, Cole Custer, and Chase Briscoe battling for the lead before colliding, paving the way for another Daytona 500 victory for Slick Bill.
Over the last six years, those in NASCAR’s winner’s circle include Chase Elliot (2020), Kyle Larson (2021), Joey Logano (2022—who also won in 2018), Ryan Blaney (2023), Joey Logano (2024—his third Series Cup championship), and Kyle Larson (2025).
Whether it is auto racing, football, basketball, hockey, or baseball, BetUS has a full complement of wagering opportunities. And those who may enjoy coloring outside the lines will be pleased to know that BetUS also offers the most unique novelty betting odds in the industry, including those in the realms of entertainment, politics, science, music, and many others to mention.
