NASCAR’s Cup Series returns to Bristol Motor Speedway and Saturday night primetime on NBC Sports Network with the running of the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race. The starting time for this race is 7:30 p.m.
Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Top NASCAR Value Bets
Kevin Harvick notched his second Cup Series victory of the season last Sunday at Michigan, and my top-valued contender Denny Hamlin at +1540 odds almost paid off with a second-place run. Kyle Larson rounded out the Top 3 in that race.
Using the posted betting odds at 5Dimes online sportsbook to win Saturday night’s race at Bristol, the following three drivers offer the best value in their varied numbers.
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Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Top Favorite – Kyle Busch +275
I have recently backed off betting Busch as a favorite for just about every race he runs, but I do like his chances to win this race as the clear favorite. Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano are next on the list at +770 odds to win. The No. 18 Toyota has not placed inside the top five in its last four Cup Series events, so this team is overdue for a big night at the track this Saturday. Busch is tied with Martin Truex Jr. for the most point-race victories this season (4), and he is back on top in the current Cup Series standings with a total of 892 points.
Busch and Bristol have gone hand-in-hand the past two seasons with three checkered flags in four events. This includes a victory in the first race this year. Throughout his entire Cup Series career, he has made a total of eight trips to Victory Lane at Bristol.
Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Top Contender – Denny Hamlin +1320
The main reason why I went with Hamlin last week as a top-valued contender is just how hot the No. 11 Toyota team has been over the past several Cup Series events. Coming off last Sunday’s second-place finish, there is no reason to change that thought process. He has now finished in the Top 5 in each of his last five Cup Series events. This record includes another runner-up finish in New Hampshire followed by a victory at Pocono in late July. Hamlin has three victories on the year, and he is in fifth place in the standings with 815 total points.
Turning to his recent performance at Bristol, Hamlin finished fifth in the first race at this track this year. His lone career victory was in 2012, and his 14.9 average finishing position at this track is a big reason for the long odds.
Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Top Longshot – Kurt Busch +2100
I have also put Kurt Busch in the top-valued longshot category for the second-straight race. There were a few other value picks I could have gone with such as Chase Elliott at +2200, but the No. 1 Chevrolet gives me the best chance for a big payday in this event. This team has placed in the Top 10 in more than half the races this season with five of those efforts ending up inside the top five. Last Sunday’s fade to No. 23 was the third run outside the top 10 in his previous four events after winning the race at Kentucky.
The main reason for Busch as my top longshot is his second-place run in the first race this season at Bristol. He should be gunning for his younger brother again this Saturday night after winning the Night Race in 2018.
