Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Bank of America 500

Odds to Win Race

Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs on Sunday, when the drivers compete in the Bank of America 500. Last week, Kyle Busch emerged victorious at the Apache Warrior 400, defeating runner-up Chase Elliott. Elliott led for 138 laps in that race, and he has to be feeling pretty devastated now. He has still never won a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, but it seems like it’s only a matter of time now. As for this week’s race, Jimmie Johnson once again stands out in this field. Johnson has won the Bank of America 500 a record four times, and last year’s win was when he separated himself from Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough and Mark Martin. All three of those guys had won the race three times in their careers. Only one other active driver has won this race more than once, and that is Jamie McMurray. McMurray’s victory in 2010 was his second here, so he’ll also be feeling pretty good when he gets out there on Sunday. It’s also worth noting that Hendrick Motorsports has more victories (eight) here than any other team. Chevrolet, meanwhile, is the best manufacturer, as 21 winners have driven a Chevy in this race. With that out of the way, let’s now look at some of the best value plays for Sunday:

Kyle Larson (11-to-2) - Kyle Larson has never won the Bank of America 500, but he has certainly come pretty close. Larson came in fifth in last year’s race here, and he also came in sixth here three years ago. He’s knocking on the door and also happens to be one of the hottest drivers in the world right now. Larson has two victories in the past seven races, and he has finished in fifth, second and fifth in his past three as well. Look for him to make another run at a win on Sunday and don’t be afraid to back him with these odds.

Jimmie Johnson (10-to-1) - The fact that Jimmie Johnson is only going off at 10-to-1 here is rather appalling. Johnson has won this race a record four times, which should make him the favorite to win. Vegas must have felt that he is slipping or something, but that is hardly the case. Johnson came in third at last week’s Apache Warrior 400 and has now finished inside the top 10 in three of the past four races. With his recent form and track history here, he’s worth a shot.

Brad Keselowski (12-to-1) - Keselowski hasn’t won four times here, but he did win this race back in 2013. That should give him some confidence when he gets out there on Sunday, and so should the fact that he has finished inside the top 10 here in each of the past two races. Keselowski’s odds are probably as favorable as they are because he hasn’t won a race since early in the season, but he is too good of a driver to stay out of victory lane for long.

Jamie McMurray (60-to-1) - As previously mentioned, McMurray has won the Bank of America 500 twice in his career. And while the last time he won here was in 2010, McMurray does have two top-10 finishes in this race since then. He’s a ridiculous value at 60-to-1 and is worth playing for even the smallest of amounts. It only helps that the 41-year-old has finished inside the top-10 in four of the past seven races.