The NASCAR Cup Sequence is again on the streets of Chicago, for what is going to hopefully be a way more dry and clear afternoon than what followers had been handled to a 12 months in the past.
This 12 months’s Grant Park 165 might be 25 laps shorter than 2023’s scheduled distance (which itself ended up being shortened as a result of impending curfew). Listed below are three drivers to look at – a favourite, a contender and a darkish horse – in addition to one to keep away from for the vacation weekend.
Favourite: Kyle Larson (+650, per DraftKings as of Friday afternoon)
Shane van Gisbergen is the oddsmakers’ favourite, seemingly as a result of his standing because the race’s defending winner. Nonetheless, it is price noting that final 12 months was (actually) the right storm for him as one of many solely drivers within the subject with earlier street-course expertise, in addition to probably the most skilled driver in wet-weather situations. The taking part in subject might be extra even this time round and that is the place Larson turns into the favourite.
Forgotten in van Gisbergen’s historic cost to win 2023’s Chicago occasion was that Larson adopted his tire tracks up by the sector late within the going, finally ending fourth. He has a road-course win already in 2024 at Sonoma and he’ll add one other on Sunday. Listed with the fourth-best odds at +650, you will need to put some cash on the No. 5 automotive this weekend.
Contender: Shane van Gisbergen (+425)
Even when he could also be barely overvalued with the very best odds within the subject, van Gisbergen nonetheless holds the earned standing because the man everyone seems to be making an attempt to beat this weekend. His drive a season in the past wasn’t only a historic second for NASCAR; it was jaw-droppingly dominant as he raced by the pack late within the going and at instances was operating laps a whole second quicker than everybody else.
van Gisbergen is certain to be a contender as soon as once more, though this time we hope we do not have to listen to his title mispronounced as “van Ginsenberg,” “SVJ” or whatever Jeff Burton was trying to say right here. His +425 odds will not be very tempting for those who’re in search of a payout, however typically you’ll be able to’t overthink issues.
Darkish horse: Justin Haley (+8000)
Positive, it was as a result of a fortuitous warning, however the oddsmakers have seemingly forgotten about who completed second — and practically gained — 2023’s Chicago Avenue Race. Haley led 23 laps earlier than van Gisbergen handed him for the win, and he has been very spectacular at instances this season in Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 automotive.
Haley has proven a capability all through his profession to capitalize on chaos and if this race is something like final 12 months’s in that regard, do not be stunned to see him close to the entrance. Try to be hammering these +8000 odds for those who’re in search of a possible home-run play.
Keep away from: Christopher Bell (+600)
Bell has been red-hot recently and understandably has the third-highest odds for Sunday at +600. But the one monitor sort he hasn’t appeared to have profitable velocity at is the street programs — his ninth-place end at Sonoma was his worst prior to now 5 races previous to final weekend’s crash at Nashville. Although he got here in second at Circuit of the Americas earlier this 12 months, it was on an unconventional pit technique.
Bell could run within the high 10 and even the highest 5 on Sunday, however there’s quite a few higher choices for the win, particularly at that worth.