NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman offered Ryan Blaney “7 million beers” after his come-from-behind victory at Daytona International Speedway last Saturday night.
If Blaney had not pulled off the comeback, going from P13 with two laps remaining to Victory Lane, Bowman likely would have been pushed out of the 16th and final playoff slot by one of the four pilots vying for their first win in the regular-season finale.
Jokingly, Blaney said he would settle for “five million” beers.
Wonder when the rival drivers will settle their debt?
Below, we’ll preview the top storylines heading into Sunday’s postseason-opening Cook Out Southern 500, go over the odds, and give our best bets for the 27th race on the 2025 NASCAR schedule.
Below, we’ll preview the top storylines heading into Sunday’s postseason-opening Cook Out Southern 500, go over the odds, and give our best bets for the 27th race on the 2025 NASCAR schedule.
Alex Bowman's favorite driver right now. pic.twitter.com/emJ9wqHo0C
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) August 24, 2025
NASCAR Cup Series’ Cook Out Southern 500 Storylines
- Justin Haley, in a final bid to make the playoffs, led on the final lap at Daytona, but “got too far out front” and was one of the machines overtaken by come-from-behind winner Ryan Blaney. His P3 marked his best finish of the season. Through 25 events, he posted an average finish of 22.2.
- Like Haley, Cole Custer led on the final lap. His advantage came at the start of the final 2.5-mile journey, but the No. 41 Ford driver settled for P4, his best finish of the season.
- Kyle Busch, meanwhile, was nowhere near the front on the final lap. He crashed early and placed P33, missing the playoffs for a second straight season. His winless streak reached 83 events.
Kyle Busch’s onboard pic.twitter.com/Ip2BYBFqwt
— Carson (birthday month) (@NASCARSON_) August 25, 2025
Cook Out Southern 500 Driver Odds
Here is an early look at the drivers’ odds for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Driver | NASCAR Cup Series’ Cook Out Southern 500 Odds |
|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | +550 |
| Denny Hamlin | +600 |
| Ryan Blaney | +650 |
| William Byron | +650 |
| Tyler Reddick | +800 |
| Christopher Bell | +900 |
| Chase Briscoe | +1400 |
| Joey Logano | +1400 |
| Chase Elliott | +1800 |
| Brad Keselowski | +2000 |
| Ross Chastain | +2000 |
| Chris Buescher | +2200 |
| Bubba Wallace | +2200 |
| Kyle Busch | +2800 |
| Austin Cindric | +4000 |
| Josh Berry | +4000 |
| Alex Bowman | +4000 |
| Carson Hocevar | +5000 |
| Ty Gibbs | +5000 |
| Ryan Preece | +5000 |
| Erik Jones | +6000 |
| Austin Dillon | +10000 |
| Shane van Gisbergen | +10000 |
| Daniel Suarez | +12500 |
| Noah Gragson | +15000 |
| Zane Smith | +15000 |
| AJ Allmendinger | +20000 |
| John Hunter Nemechek | +20000 |
| Michael McDowell | +20000 |
| Todd Gilliland | +20000 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | +25000 |
| Justin Haley | +30000 |
| Riley Herbst | +30000 |
| Cole Custer | +30000 |
| Ty Dillon | +50000 |
| Cody Ware | +50000 |
| Josh Bilicki | +50000 |
| Derek Kraus | +50000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
Cook Out Southern 500 Predictions and Picks
Here are our best NASCAR Cup Series bets for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway:
Denny Hamlin (+600)
Is this the year Hamlin finally claims his first series championship? He’s visited Victory Lane at Darlington and needs to again to advance to the Round of 12.
William Byron (+650)
In his past seven outings at Darlington, Byron posted one win and three top-five finishes, leading a circuit-best 328 laps.
Joey Logano (+1400)
Will the defending circuit champion start the postseason with a bang? He’s won at Darlington before.
It’s Time… #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0BdhZh33JM
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) August 27, 2025
