The NASCAR Cup Series takes its annual trip to New Hampshire this weekend for the USA Today 301.
Sunday’s race marks the official halfway point of the 2024 Cup Series season.
Martin Truex Jr. is the defending race winner at New Hampshire. He dominated last year, leading 254 of 301 laps en route to his first victory at the Magic Mile.
Truex is among the pre-race favorites (+500) but trails teammate Christopher Bell (+400) at DraftKings. Bell opens as the favorite for the second straight week.
Before Sunday’s Cup Series race at New Hampshire (2:30 p.m., USA Network), check out my best bets.
Christopher Bell to win (+450, Caesars)
It wasn’t long ago that Bell had four straight finishes outside the top 15.
Nevertheless, he has turned it around lately with five top-10 finishes in six races.
That stretch includes a victory at Charlotte.
He also had the dominant car at Gateway before a late engine issue.
He has been the driver to beat on short, flat tracks in 2024.
Between the Xfinity and Truck Series, Bell has four wins and a second-place finish at New Hampshire.
He finished runner-up in the 2021 Cup Series race before winning in 2022.
The short, flat tracks are right in his wheelhouse, and New Hampshire is his best track.
We could see a third victory in 2024 for Bell.
Ryan Blaney top-five finish (+105, ESPN Bet)
The defending Cup Series Champion finally captured his first victory of the season last week at Iowa. Blaney had the most dominant performance of his career, leading 201 of 350 laps.
He should be in store for another strong finish at New Hampshire.
Last season, he was top-three in total speed, but a late pit road penalty cost him a top-five finish.
Even with that, Blaney has a pair of top-five finishes in his past five New Hampshire starts.
Like Bell, the short, flat tracks have been his strong suit. He just won at Iowa and would’ve won Gateway had he not run out of gas on the final lap.
Blaney’s win could open the floodgates for a strong Summer stretch.
I expect another excellent finish at New Hampshire.
Bubba Wallace top-10 finish (+170, FanDuel)
Wallace has hit a rough stretch in his season, finishing outside the top 10 in seven of the past eight races.
A trip to New Hampshire could put him back on track as he battles for the final playoff spot.
Wallace opened his New Hampshire career with four straight finishes outside the top 20.
Over the past two years, he had a third and eighth place finish at the Magic Mile.
The short, flat tracks haven’t been great for Wallace this season, but he displayed top-five speed at Richmond.
A strong qualifying run could go a long way toward a top-10 finish for Wallace at New Hampshire.
Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps
- Check out the best sports betting sites
- Download the best sports betting app
Joey Logano over Kyle Larson (+100, bet365)
Larson has been the driver to beat in 2024, while Logano is outside the 16-driver playoff.
Nevertheless, this pick comes down to New Hampshire history, and Logano has the upper hand.
Logano has finished fourth or better in three of his past four New Hampshire races.
The track has never been great for Larson, as he only has one top-five finish in his past five starts at the track.
Both drivers displayed speed at Richmond and Iowa but struggled at Phoenix.
Larson has been a little better at short, flat tracks this season, but I like the value for Logano, especially with such a small gap between the drivers.