Auto Racing Expert Picks & Predictions

Join VegasInsider's crew of Auto Racing and NASCAR expert handicappers and get to the finish line first during the 2024 auto racing season. VegasInsider features the top rated handicappers in the industry, offering their best bets from tracks and circuits in the world.

VegasInsider Auto Racing Picks

HOW DO AUTO RACING ODDS TO WIN WORK?

The most popular bet in Auto Racing is the “Odds to Win” wager or what some might call a future wager. Put simply, you just need to pick the overall winner of the race. Whether you're betting on NASCAR, Indy Series or any other circuit, the majority of races have “Odds to Win” posted. You select one of the drivers in the race and your payout for the bet will depend on the odds given at the time of the wager. To figure out your Win Amount, take the odds and multiply by the amount wagered. For example, Kyle Busch is listed as a 5/1 favorite in the Daytona 500. If you wager $100 on Busch and he wins the race then you would win $500 ($100 x 5). You would collect $600, which includes your win and stake ($100).

HOW DO AUTO RACING MATCHUPS WORK?

Matchup betting in auto racing is just as simplistic as “Odds to Win” wagers. In this bet, the objective is to select one driver to finish ahead of another driver. Similar to other sports, there is always money-line odds associated with each matchup, which means there will always be a favorite and an underdog. Looking at this example - Matt Kenseth (-135) vs. Kevin Harvick (+115) – Matt is the favorite and Harvick is the underdog. In this particular matchup, gamblers looking for a payout of $100 on Matt Kenseth would have to risk $135 to win $100. Those betting $100 on Kevin Harvick (+115) would earn a payout of $115 if Harvick finishes ahead of Martin in the race. To win your matchup wagers, you need the driver you bet to finish the race higher than the opposing driver in the matchup.

HOW DOES BETTING THE FIELD WORK?

Many races and future odds will include a betting selection called the Field. This bet consists of the drivers not listed in the “Odds to Win.” Most future odds have a set number of drivers with odds to win. It’s rare to see oddsmakers put a price on every driver that will race. Drivers that are given the least opportunity to win the race will be grouped into the “Field” odds and paid out accordingly if they win.