The 36th and final point race of the 2016 Sprint Cup season will decide this year’s series champion. Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Joey Logano all won races in the Round of 8 to qualify for this final race and Kyle Busch got in with the most points out of the other five drivers over the last three Chase events.
The following is a look at TopBet’s betting odds for the final four drivers to win this Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 as well as NASCAR’s 2016 Sprint Cup title.
Jimmie Johnson: Odds to Win Race +350 Odds to Win Title +200
Johnson has already won six NASCAR championships over the course of his storied career, but this is the first time he is in position to win a title under the new elimination rules of the 10-race Chase. He got here by finally winning when he had to with victories at Charlotte and Martinsville in this year’s Chase.
Kyle Busch: Odds to Win Race +500 Odds to Win Title +260
If there is one driver that can keep Johnson from claiming another Sprint Cup title it is Kyle Busch. His amazing run to last year’s title included five victories overall and he saved his best for last behind the wheel of the No. 18 Toyota when the Chase did roll around by winning at Homestead-Miami to secure the championship. He has made his way to the Winner’s Circle four times this season, but my one concern has been his inability to seal the deal in the Chase with a victory in light of six finishes inside the Top 5.
Joey Logano: Odds to Win Race +700 Odds to Win Title: +300
Logano’s victory last Sunday at Phoenix punched his ticket to this championship race. He also won at Talladega a few weeks back to earn an automatic spot in the Round of 8. The No. 22 Ford was in this same position two years ago as one of the final four drivers, but Logano ended up fourth in the final standings after finishing a disappointing 16th in this race. He definitely has the talent to win on Sunday, but there is not enough added value in his odds to pull the trigger on an actual bet that he will.
Carl Edwards: Odds to Win Race +700 Odds to Win Title: +300
It is no big surprise that Edwards is in position to win his first career Sprint Cup title. His recent victory at Texas earned him one of the four spots in this year’s final race and last season he came close by finishing fifth in the final standings. He made his way to Victory Lane three times this season to go along with six additional runs inside the Top 5. Looking back at his recent results at this week’s venue, some of the value in his odds is lost with four-straight runs outside the Top 10. His average finishing position at Homestead-Miami is still a respectable 9.2 and he does have two previous Sprint Cup victories at this track in 2008 and 2010.
