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NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 Odds, Predictions & Best Bets At Darlington Raceway

By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three 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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Published27 Aug 2024

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Daytona sunset establilsh shot (1)

Embattled NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon lost his playoff qualifying appeal, but retained his Richmond Raceway victory.
Series officials announced Monday the ruling body upheld its decision to strip Dillon of his playoff eligibility, citing Rule 12.3.2.1.B “more likely than not” developed during the final turn as Dillon took out race leader Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to earn the Aug. 11 checkered flag.

The rule states that “race finishes must be unencumbered by violations of the NASCAR rules or other actions detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR, as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR.”

Dillon retained the Cook Out 400 title and prize money, but was denied a spot in the playoffs that start at Atlanta on Sept. 8 and docked 25 points. Dillon’s spotter, Brandon Benesch, was initially suspended three races for suggesting Dillon should “wreck him,” referring to Hamlin. Benesch’s penalty was reduced to one race.

Dillon, who sits 29th in the points standings, will need a win to join the postseason field.

Below, we’ll preview the top storylines heading into Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500, go over the odds, and give our best bets for the 26th and final regular-season race on the 2024 NASCAR schedule.

Cook Out Southern 500 Storylines

  • Harrison Burton is losing his Wood Brothers Racing ride at the end of the season. His first career win at Daytona on Saturday certainly will enhance his racing resume.
  • Cody Ware proved to be another underdog story at Daytona. His P4 matched his career best finish and marked Rick Ware Racing’s first top-five finish since 2020.
  • Keeping with the theme of unsung pilots, Parker Retzlaff, making his second Cup start, provided Burton with the winning push off the overtime start. Retzlaff, an Xfinity Series regular, ended up placing P7.

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
Denny Hamlin +550
Kyle Larson +550
Tyler Reddick  +550
Brad Keselowski +900
William Byron +900
Ty Gibbs +1000
Martin Truex Jr. +1100
Christopher Bell  +1200
Ryan Blaney +1600
Joey Logano +1600
Kyle Busch +1600
Chris Buescher  +1800
Chase Elliott +2000
Ross Chastain +2200
Bubba Wallace +2500
Erik Jones +3300
Alex Bowman +5000
Josh Berry +5000
Chase Briscoe +6600
Noah Gragson +8000
 Michael McDowell  +10000
Austin Cindric +10000
Todd Gilliland +10000
Shane van Gisbergen +10000
Daniel Suarez +12500
Austin Dillon +15000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +15000
Justin Haley +20000
 Corey LaJoie +20000
Carson Hocevar +25000
John Hunter Nemechek +30000
Ryan Preece +30000
Harrison Burton +30000
Zane Smith +50000
 Daniel Hemric +100000
Timmy Hill +100000
Kaz Grala +100000

*Odds through Tuesday

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 (+550) 

Attempting to recapture his mid-season magic, Hamlin, one of the three betting favorites, returns to a track where he compiled four top-fives, including a win, and 386 laps led since 2021. His recent team penalty may have cost him a chance at a regular-season points title, but he is attempting to regain postseason momentum.

Ty Gibbs (+1000) 

The second-year pilot capped Saturday’s effort with a P5. It marked the second time this season Gibbs collected back-to-back top-fives. In four Cup outings at Darlington, he compiled two top-10s.

Kyle Busch (+1600) 

Busch may not appear to be a favorite at Darlington, a track where he has registered just one top-10 in his past seven starts. But the two-time Cup champion needs a win to qualify for the playoffs. He has qualified each season since 2012.