NASCAR Betting Guide & Tips: How To Bet On NASCAR In 2025

Below is a comprehensive guide on how to bet on NASCAR, the most popular form of auto racing in the US. The guide includes details on the betting options in the sport, such as race lines, futures, team props, race props, and driver props. You can also find information on the best sportsbooks that offer betting on NASCAR, along with details on how to get started.  

How to bet on NASCAR races

Below you’ll find a list of the typical options for NASCAR races at online betting sites. Most books will offer these types of bets for any significant event. 

Outright winner

Under “race lines” you’ll generally find various bets related to how a driver will finish in a NASCAR event. The longest odds are typically on which driver will finish first, also known as the outright winner. Bets will only cash if the driver you’ve selected wins the race. 

Podium finish

Instead of betting on a driver to win a race, a podium finish offers odds on that driver finishing in the top three of a given race. The odds should be much shorter relative to picking a driver to win outright. For example, Martin Truex Jr. could be getting +550 odds to win a race, but his odds for a podium finish may be closer to +150, which would still offer a profit of $150 on a $100 bet if successful.

Top five finish

Most books will also offer odds on a top five finish or a top 10 finish for the drivers in a NASCAR race. As with a podium finish, the odds shorten when the field for the required finish gets larger, so Kyle Larson might get +100 odds to finish in the top five and -300 odds to finish in the top 10 of a given race. 

Stage winners 

NASCAR Series Cup races are broken up into three stages, and there are often lines available on a driver to win one of those stages. This type of betting isolates the performance of a driver and that driver’s team in a portion of the race. 

Winning manufacturer 

In the NASCAR Cup Series, teams can use Toyota, Chevrolet, or Ford cars to race. Betting on one of those manufacturers to win the race will pay out as long as the outright winner is driving that make of vehicle. Manufacturers earn points over the course of the season, and certain cars have a history of success at certain race tracks. 

Betting on NASCAR racers

Matchup odds 

Sportsbooks may pit drivers against each other in head-to-head matchups. Typically, the driver with shorter odds to win the race outright is also the favorite to cross the finish line before another driver in these head-to-head pairings. If Truex Jr. is the favorite to win the race outright, books might offer -175 odds for him to finish ahead of a driver with longer odds, such as Daniel Suarez, who might get +140 odds to finish ahead of Truex Jr. 

Group winner 

When drivers are grouped together in a race, books will offer odds on each driver to finish best among the four candidates. Essentially, this is a head-to-head bet between four competitors, so Truex might get +200 odds to beat out three other drivers, which is still shorter than the odds (+550) he might get to finish first in the entire field.  

Top car

For this bet, sportsbooks split the drivers up according to their manufacturer, cutting the field into sections of Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford teams. The odds refer to how likely the driver is to finish first among all drivers of the same manufacturer. Truex might get odds of +250 to be the top Toyota driver, Michael McDowell may get +300 odds to finish first among Ford drivers, and Kyle Larson could get +300 odds to lead all Chevrolet drivers.   

How do I read NASCAR lines?

Most NASCAR lines are futures bets with a straightforward proposition: Will this driver win the upcoming race? There are also propositions available on a given driver finishing in the top 10, top five, or on the podium. 

Sportsbooks will use American odds, with +200 referring to a potential 2-to-1 payout on the initial wager, whereas -200 odds would net 50% profit on the initial wager if successful. 

NASCAR betting strategies

Below are some factors or details that can play a role in race results. While far from an exact science, these factors may help predict performances from specific teams or drivers. 

Track history 

Some drivers love certain tracks, and their past results will show it. Looking at the race results is only surface level, though, and bettors can delve deeper into how well a driver performed at a specific track in each lap, what type of car the driver was in at the time, and whether there were extenuating circumstances from a crash.

Track history can apply to the overall field, not necessarily just one driver. Every NASCAR track has different specifications when it comes to length, configuration, surface, and banking. On one end of the spectrum are road courses, which can wind and turn through scenery. On the other end are the superspeedways of Talladega and Daytona, fast ovals where the fastest laps and speeds have been recorded. There are also intermediate and short tracks. 

So, betting on a NASCAR race can be partially informed by how a driver performs and is expected to perform at a given type of track. 

Line shopping

This is an important tenet of betting on any sporting event. Consumers with accounts at multiple sportsbooks can not only get the best price on their wagers, but they can also use information from one book to inform their decisions at another book. 

For instance, if Truex Jr. is getting extremely short odds to finish in the top 10 at one book but longer odds for a podium finish, that might indicate oddsmakers aren’t expecting him to win the race outright. Checking another book might offer value on Truex Jr. to lose a head-to-head matchup against another favorite or for Ford or Chevrolet to produce the winner, rather than Toyota. 

Weather 

While most NASCAR races take place in the sunny Southern US, there are still complicating factors to consider. Storms can cause delays, which might hurt pit crews that are more efficient by allowing teams to regroup. Typically, NASCAR officials will pause or delay a race to dry the track, so it’s unlikely drivers will have to compete on a wet surface. 

Temperatures can play a major factor in racing, with hot tracks potentially leading to a slippery reaction between tires and the track. When it’s overcast or cooler, cars with more horsepower can utilize their advantage by hitting the gas harder and relying on superior grip around curves. 

Headwinds can play a role in race results, but in more extreme instances. If winds are strong enough to impact the performance of cars, teamwork might become more important since the lead car can serve as a wind break for those driving behind. 

How to bet on NASCAR online

1. Pick your preferred sportsbook from among the available options in your state. Some books may offer a wider variety of NASCAR odds, and new customers may be able to claim sportsbook welcome bonuses. 
2. Sign up for an account at the sportsbook. Please gamble responsibly. 
3. Make an initial deposit. Most books accept credit cards, online banking transfers, and PayPal. 
4. Once your account is active, find the NASCAR section to access the available bets. 
5. Consider wagering on NASCAR races. Be aware of promotions and odds boosts at books that might increase potential payouts.  

NASCAR betting FAQ