NASCAR

Despite Pedestrian Preseason Outing, Kyle Larson Remains Betting Favorite To Claim 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Title

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Kyle Larson reacts negatively with his hand over his face

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson endured a rough Cook Out Clash Last Chance Qualifier race to earn a spot during Sunday night’s exhibition showcase at Bowman Gray Stadium. 

Larson, executing his short-track skills, earned the qualifier’s checkered flag, but pulled into the pits with a banged-up machine. The No. 5 Chevrolet team struggled to make full repairs, placing P17, a lap down, during the Clash.  

Despite the pedestrian finish, Larson (+500) remains the sports-betting favorite to claim his second series championship since 2021, according to BetOnline Sportsbook. 

Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Chase Elliott, dominated the exhibition from the pole, leading 171 of 200 laps. 

Ryan Blaney’s Rally Falls Short In Clash 

Ryan Blaney put on a second-half show.

But his rally came up short.

After running as low as P22, Blaney nearly passed the 23-machine field at the quarter-mile Saturday night track.

With Elliott in sight during the final 10 rotations, the 2023 circuit titleholder said he didn’t have the tire grip to complete the comeback cleanly.

He could have bumped Elliott from the lead, but he elected not to do that to a friend, especially during a non-points event. 

“I think we were pretty evenly matched,” Blaney said, as reported by NASCAR.com. “I’m not going to just bulldog into him and get chased out of here with pitchforks. So, you know.”

Blaney (+650) enters Daytona with the fourth-best odds to earn his second drivers’ title in three seasons.

2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Odds    

Here is an updated look at the drivers’ odds for capturing the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship odds, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:

Driver 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Odds
Kyle Larson +500
Christopher Bell +550
William Byron +600
Ryan Blaney +650
Denny Hamlin +750
Tyler Reddick +850
Joey Logano +850
Chase Elliott +1100
Chase Briscoe +1800
Kyle Busch +2200
Ty Gibbs +2200
Ross Chastain +2200
Brad Keselowski  +2800
Alex Bowman +3300
Chris Buescher  +4000
Bubba Wallace  +6600
Shane van Gisbergen  +6600
Daniel Suarez +10000
Austin Cindric +10000
Carson Hocevar  +10000
Josh Berry +15000
Austin Dillon +15000
Michael McDowell +15000
Zane Smith +15000
Noah Gragson  +15000
Erik Jones +20000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +20000
Todd Gilliland +20000
AJ Allmendinger +20000
Ryan Preece +25000
Justin Haley +25000
Cole Custer +25000
John Hunter Nemechek +30000
Ty Dillon +50000
Corey LaJoie +50000

*-Odds current at time of publication

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Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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