NASCAR’s Monster Energy Cup Series returns from an idle week in the schedule for the first of two point-race events ahead of the start of this season’s 10-race playoff. This Sunday’s main event at Darlington Raceway is the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Racing action gets underway at 6 p.m. with NBC Sports Network carrying the race nationally.
Two weeks ago at Bristol, Kurt Busch punched his ticket for this season’s playoff with a victory in the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race. Kyle Larson took second in that race with Chase Elliott finishing third. I went with Martin Truex Jr. as my top-valued pick at +1500 odds to win, but his night ended early in a wreck.
The following is a look at a trio of the top favorites to win Sunday’s race at Darlington along with my top-valued pick to win at longer odds as provided by 5Dimes
Bojangles’ Southern 500 Favorites
Kevin Harvick +300
Harvick remains at the top of the Cup Series leaderboard in total victories this season with seven and his No. 4 Ford is holding down second place in the standings with 970 total points. He is coming off a 10th-place finish at Bristol two weeks ago to extend his streak of Top 10 finishes in a point race to six. This includes victories at New Hampshire and Michigan in preparation for a serious run at a second career racing title. He has led a total of 1198 laps this with 17 runs inside the top five. Last year at Darlington, Harvick finished ninth after starting from the pole. His lone win at this track was in 2014.
Kyle Busch +370
A rare off night for Busch dropped him to 20th at Bristol after placing in the Top 5 in his previous five Cup Series events. This impressive run included a victory at Pocono to raise his win total on the year to six. On the strength of a “1089 laps led” and 17 runs inside the top five, the No. 18 Toyota continues to set the pace in the standings with a total of 1003 points. When it comes to his recent track record at this week’s racing venue, Busch finished second in last year’s race, but his average finishing position at Darlington is 12.0. His lone career victory here in a Cup Series event was in 2008.
Martin Truex Jr. +400
After closing at long odds at Bristol, the reigning Cup Series Champ has retaken his normal position among the top three favorites to win this week’s race. With the exception of a second-place finish on the road course at Watkins Glen, the No. 78 Toyota has struggled a bit lately with three finishes outside the top 10 in the last four point-race events. This team is still holding down third place in the current standings with 849 total points. Along with the previous four victories this season, Truex has managed to place inside the top five in an additional 11 events. As far as his recent results at Darlington, he has finished ninth or better the past three seasons including a victory here in 2016.
Get more details: Bojangles Southern 500 Driver Matchups
