The 2026 NASCAR season is underway, and after two expectedly volatile but extremely exciting superspeedway races, it’s finally time for the NASCAR odds shopping to begin. We’re headed to Austin, Texas, where the tight corners and turn-1 dive bombs of COTA await the race favorite SVG and everyone attempting to knock him off the throne as NASCAR’s road course king. But before drivers enter the first corner with reckless abandon and make their first right turns of the season, let’s take a quick look at the DuraMax Grand Prix betting board.
2026 NASCAR Odds: DuraMax Grand Prix at COTA
*Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesNASCAR’s best head to the windy 2.4-mile asphalt track of COTA (Circuit of the Americas), off two incredibly entertaining and shocking superspeedway races at Daytona and Atlanta. Drivers will have to re-familiarize themselves with the brake pedal this weekend and adjust to the new 750-hp engine package, as well as stricter track limits than were enforced last season. A race that produced a three-car battle for the win in the final laps, with Christopher Bell besting Kyle Busch and holding off William Byron for the checkered flag. Additionally, in what proved to be an anomaly, Shane van Gisbergen was not a part of the battle up front late, having battled a sluggish car on restarts all race.
Despite this “lackluster” performance, by his standards, the narrative surrounding SVG this week was not if, but how big a favorite he would be. For those of you who don’t follow the sport, Shane is the best, and it isn’t particularly close, road course racer in the Cup Series currently. He won the remaining five road courses last season, all in fairly dominant fashion, oftentimes not going all-out until necessary. Thus, it’s no surprise to see him as the DuraMax Grand Prix favorite with odds hovering around EVEN money.
*Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesJust below SVG on the odds board is this season’s almost guaranteed rookie of the year, and probably the most hyped prospect since Jeff Gordon, Connor Zilisch. The 19-year old is coming off a 10-win 2025 Xfinity Series (now the O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series) season, with five coming on road courses. Zilisch bested SVG for two of those wins and absolutely dominated the others, including here at COTA, where he completed the “last to first” challenge. CZ’s odds are extremely short for a rookie making just his fifth ever Cup Series start, but the skills and tape speak for themselves.
Below these two begins the traditional NASCAR road course ringer section, led by last season’s winner and Top-3 overall finishers, Christopher Bell, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick. Each of whom has a tremendous track record at COTA and on road courses in the Next Gen era. In fact, this trio ranks 3rd, 2nd, and 7th in driver rating; And 4th, 6th, and 5th respectively, in average finish over the four years (21 races) on road courses since then. They even account for three of the four checkered flags at COTA, each having one, and rank 6th, 3rd, and 1st in average finish in Austin.
*Aaron E. Martinez / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesBelow this second-tier of so-called “contenders” are numerous talented road course racers. From multi-time RC winner Chase Elliott, “Dinger the Ringer” AJ Allmendinger, to Michael McDowell and Chris Buescher, there are a bunch of drivers to keep an eye on at COTA. So, before cars hit the track for our first meaningful practice and qualifying sessions from a NASCAR betting perspective, take a hot lap around the NASCAR odds for the DuraMax Grand Prix from Circuit of the Americas.
DriverOdds to WinShane Van Gisbergen+120Connor Zilisch+350Christopher Bell+900William Byron+1000Tyler Reddick+1500Kyle Larson+1600Chase Briscoe+2000Chase Elliott+2200Chris Buescher+2500Ross Chastain+2800Kyle Busch+2800AJ Allmendinger+3000Ty Gibbs+3500Michael McDowell+3500Alex Bowman+3500Ryan Blaney+4500Joey Logano+6000Denny Hamlin+6000Daniel Suarez+6500Carson Hocevar+8000Austin Cindric+8000Ryan Preece+9000Bubba Wallace+10000Noah Gragson+20000Todd Gilliland+30000John Hunter Nemechek+30000Cole Custer+30000Brad Keselowski+30000Austin Dillon+30000Zane Smith+30000Jesse Love+40000Erik Jones+40000Ty Dillon+50000Riley Herbst+50000Ricky Stenhouse Jr.+50000Josh Berry+50000Cody Ware+50000Smart Betting: Quick Tips for Beginners
Keeping sports betting fun and sustainable is all about staying on the lead lap. Before you drop the green flag, make sure your strategy is tuned with these habits.
Watch Your Fuel (Bet in “Units”): Don’t blow your engine on lap one. Risk a fixed 1% to 2% of your budget per bet. This “unit” approach keeps you in the race even if you hit a “Big One” and lose a few rounds. Trust the Telemetry (Facts Over Feelings): Don’t just bet on your favorite paint scheme. Look at track history and qualifying speeds. If you’re betting on a “hunch” without a spotter’s data, you’re just driving blind into the turn. Avoid the Wall (Don’t Chase Losses): If a late-race wreck ruins your bet, don’t floor it to try and “catch up.” Overdriving usually leads to a harder hit. Take the DNF, head to the garage, and wait for the next race weekend. Know the Checkered Flag (Set a Hard Limit): Set a spending cap before the engines start. Treat that money like the price of a grandstand ticket—once it’s gone, the show is over. If the fun stops, park the car and close the app.New users must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Responsible Gaming Resources
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