This weekend, NASCAR is set to bring its cars, characters, and vibrant colors to Richmond Raceway for its highly anticipated three-race event. For bettors, it presents the ideal opportunity to explore NASCAR prop betting.
The track may be short, but the race stretches on for a long time, and the excitement never ceases.
On Sunday (3:30 p.m., Fox), the Toyota Owners 400 will take place, marking the thrilling conclusion of the weekend. The race will be broadcasted live on Fox, offering viewers the opportunity to witness the event firsthand. With sunny skies and a temperature of 67 degrees, it promises to be ideal weather for an exhilarating race.
Richmond Raceway is known for hosting some of the most memorable events, moments, and winners in the world of racing. This three-quarter-mile track provides ample space for cars to compete three-wide, experience thrilling turns, and even witness the occasional bump-and-run. To truly appreciate its significance, one need only look up the famous “Earnhardt and windshield” incident that occurred here.
During the 2021 Richmond spring race, Alex Bowman secured his third career NASCAR Cup Series victory, making him the reigning champion. Additionally, Kyle Busch will also be participating in Sunday’s race. With five wins at Richmond, he trails behind the legendary Richard Petty, who holds the record for most wins at the track.
During its playoff chase, NASCAR will make a return to Richmond in mid-August.
Currently, Richmond Raceway offers a multitude of captivating experiences. Furthermore, Virginia’s authorized online sportsbooks present distinctive avenues for placing bets on the event. These encompass wagering on victorious racers, car numbers, and even predicting the winning manufacturer, among various other choices.
Fuel up on NASCAR prop betting for Richmond
Of course, there are convenient methods to place bets on a race. Simply choose your preferred winner. PointsBet, the latest sportsbook in VA, offers a selection of 37 drivers you can place bets on. As of Thursday morning, the frontrunners are Chase Elliott (+800) and Kyle Larson (+900).
At BetMGM, Elliott, who is currently leading in the Cup standings, had odds of +800. Close behind him were Ky. Busch, Larson, and Martin Truex Jr. with odds of +900.
Afterwards, it turns into a chaotic rush.
There are a total of 19 diverse parlays available for the race action at BetMGM. These parlays offer various options, including Larson or Elliott finishing in the top two with odds of +115, as well as Bubba Wallace and Kurt Busch both finishing in the top 10 with odds of +1200.
You don’t have to worry about predicting the winner, as you can simply turn it into a two-person competition at BetMGM. Will Larson or Truex come out on top in a head-to-head matchup? Or perhaps you’re interested in deciding between Joey Logano and Virginia’s very own Denny Hamlin. The choice is yours.
There is even a prop bet available on Barstool Sports with odds of +650 on whether or not someone will sweep Stage 1, Stage 2, and ultimately win the race.
Going past the finish line
In addition to having favorite drivers, NASCAR fans also extend their support to teams and manufacturers. Despite being the Toyota Owners 400, Toyota cars are considered the underdogs at Richmond. According to BetMGM, a Chevy is the favored car to cross the finish line first, with odds of +105. On the other hand, Ford and Toyota are tied in second place, both having odds of +230.
In a field of six teams, Joe Gibbs Racing holds the top spot as the favored team with odds of +230, closely followed by Hendricks Motorsports at +240.
Alternatively, you have the option to disregard the drivers and solely focus on the numbers.
At BetMGM, the odds are in favor of an odd-numbered car winning with a +103 payout, while an even-numbered car has lower odds with a -132 payout. Additionally, you have the opportunity to participate in over/under bets on various numbers. By selecting a cutoff point of 8.5, 10.5, 15.5, 18.5, or 20.5, you can place your bet and hope that your chosen car performs accordingly.
There is a wide range of options available in NASCAR prop betting, as evident.
Who’s leading the NASCAR Cup Series standings?
Heading into the Richmond race weekend, Chase Elliott (driving the No. 9 Chevy) holds a slender advantage in the points standings.
In the race, Ryan Blaney is in the second position driving the No. 12 Ford, while Joey Logano holds the third spot with the No. 22 Ford.
Surprisingly, none of these top-three drivers have managed to secure a victory this season, thanks to the peculiarities of the scoring system.
Are you still searching for an unpredictable contender to place your bet on Sunday? Truex, driving the No. 19 Toyota, currently holds the seventh position in the standings. Furthermore, he emerged victorious in both races at Richmond in 2019. Truex’s exceptional performance at this short track suggests that he excels in such conditions. Additionally, he boasts odds of +1000 to secure a season championship.
Richmond Raceway weekend race schedule
This weekend, Richmond will not only be hosting Sunday’s Toyota Owners 400 race but also two other thrilling races. Although the NASCAR Truck Series is currently on a break, the Whelen Modified Tour and Xfinity Series are all set to take the track.
Friday, April 1: Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 150
- Title: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour – A Thrilling Racing Series
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Broadcast: FloRacing
Saturday, April 2: ToyotaCare 250
- Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series
- Time: 1:30 p.m.
- Broadcast: FS1
Chris Long, the former University of Virginia football star and two-time Super Bowl winner, will be assuming the role of honorary pace car driver for the Toyota Owners 400 on Sunday. Hailing from Charlottesville, Long is not only a local but also the founder of the Chris Long Foundation, which aims to assist communities in need.
In a press release, Long expressed his excitement about fulfilling his lifelong dream of driving the pace car at the Toyota Owners 400 in Richmond. As a proud Toyota owner, he was thrilled to bring the entire Green Light crew along for what he anticipates to be the most memorable trip of the year.
Next week, the NASCAR circuit will remain in Virginia for the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400. The race will take place at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway on Saturday, April 9th.