The Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend is truly the greatest day of racing on the annual calendar. First, the drivers of the open-wheel IndyCar Series take center stage during the afternoon with the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500. Then, the spotlight will shift to the NASCAR Cup Series stars later this evening. The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of the crown jewels of the sport. Not only is it the longest race of the year, but the tributes paid to fallen military members and their families are truly spectacular. When it comes to making NASCAR betting picks, is one race that you don’t want to miss out on.
Read on for a breakdown of the NASCAR odds and best NASCAR betting plays for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Coca-Cola 600 Race Info
61st Coca-Cola 600
Date: Sunday, May 30, 2021
Start Time: 6 p.m. EST
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway — Charlotte, NC
Coverage: FOX
Distance: 600 miles
Stages: Four (Laps 1-100; 101-200; 201-300, 301-400)
Pole Sitter: Kyle Larson
Defending Champion: Brad Keselowski
Check out the complete Coca-Cola 600 starting lineup and race stats!
Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Betting Odds
When handicapping the Coca-Cola 600, it is always wise to consider drivers and teams that have run well in previous races at 1.5-mile ovals during the season. Well, this week’s NASCAR betting favorite has arguably been the best of the bunch. Kyle Larson (+400) has clearly gotten the attention of those setting the NASCAR odds. After the No. 5 car went out and claimed the pole position in qualifying on Saturday, his odds to win dropped even further.
Larson hasn’t been the only Hendrick Motorsports driver turning heads this season. In fact, the entire organization seems to be firing on all cylinders coming into Memorial Day Weekend. Chase Elliott (+550) earned the win at Circuit of the Americas last week. Not only did that ensure all four Hendrick cars have gone to victory lane this season, but the win also tied the organization with Petty Enterprises for the most NASCAR Cup Series victories all-time at 268. Could they break that mark at Charlotte on Sunday?
Although they do not have NASCAR betting odds as short as their HMS teammates, both William Byron (+1200) and Alex Bowman (+1300) cannot be overlooked. In addition to Larson winning the pole, all four Hendrick Motorsports cars will start in the top seven after Saturday’s actual qualifying runs. The Hendrick Camaros have been the class of the field for several weeks and it wouldn’t be a shock to see that continue in the Coca-Cola 600.
Joe Gibbs Racing Trio Chasing Hendrick Motorsports
All teams have seemingly been chasing Hendrick Motorsports lately. It’s interesting to note that the only drivers separating the four HMS Chevys at the top of the NASCAR betting odds are all Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas. Martin Truex Jr. (+600) has a ridiculous average finish of 4.5 in the last ten NASCAR Cup Series races at Charlotte. He won the Coca-Cola 600 just two years ago and also leads all drivers with three victories in 2021.
Behind him, teammate Kyle Busch (+800) also has a strong history at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He won the Coca-Cola 600 in 2018 and also finished fifth last year. Given that practice and qualifying were held this week, Rowdy becomes an even more attractive NASCAR betting option.
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Finally, NASCAR Cup Series points leader Denny Hamlin (+1000) has longer odds than usual this week. The No. 11 Camry has been a bit quieter in recent weeks than it was early in the season. Hamlin has an average finish of 10.7 over the last 10 Charlotte races but has never won the crown jewel that is the Coca-Cola 600. Could Sunday finally be his breakthrough?
Sneaky Longshot Qualifies Well
If you are looking for a NASCAR betting longshot to win Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (+5000) might be the best option on the board. The JTG Daugherty Racing driver has quietly finished top-10 in three of the last four races at Charlotte. In two of the last three, he finished in the top five. Stenhouse gave his 50-1 odds even more credibility by throwing down an impressive qualifying time. He will start second and is not to be slept on.
Our NASCAR betting trends and stats article for the Coca-Cola 600 is a must-read for those wagering on the longest race of the year!
Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Betting Picks
Coca-Cola 600 Race Winner: William Byron (+1200)
When it comes to NASCAR picks on race winners, it’s smart to align yourself with Hendrick Motorsports based on recent form. NASCAR betting favorite Kyle Larson may have been the dominant car on other 1.5-mile tracks this year, but teammate William Byron offers a whole lot more value this weekend. The No. 24 team has been the most consistent of any in the NASCAR Cup Series this season. Byron’s one win this season came on a 1.5-mile oval at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That victory kicked off a stretch of 11 consecutive top-10 finishes. Although that streak was ultimately snapped last weekend, Byron still managed to finish 11th after taking heavy damage early in the race. He was fast in qualifying and will start fourth. Byron is the best value on the board to win the Coca-Cola 600 crown jewel.
Other Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Betting Picks
Race Matchup: Brad Keselowski (+125) vs. Kyle Busch
Quite frankly, the NASCAR betting odds on this head-to-head matchup are out of control. While Kyle Busch figures to run well this week after getting practice time, does it really warrant him being a -162 favorite against the defending Coca-Cola 600 champion, Brad Keselowski? The No. 2 team has been struggling a bit recently, but they have a solid history at Charlotte. Keselowski’s average finish of 11.3 over the last ten races includes seven top-10s and ranks fourth among all drivers.
Race Matchup: Martin Truex Jr. (+100) vs. Kyle Larson
It’s understandable that Kyle Larson is the NASCAR betting favorite this week, given how well the No. 5 team has been running. That being said, this race matchup is offering up even-money odds on the driver with by far the best stats at Charlotte. Martin Truex Jr. won this very race in 2016 and 2019. Over the last ten races here, he has accumulated three total wins, seven top-5 finishes and nine top-10s. His average finish of 4.5 is light years ahead of any other driver. Take those +100 odds on Truex and run.
Top 10 Finish: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (+150)
The strong history for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at Charlotte Motor Speedway was discussed in the NASCAR betting odds section above. After he managed to qualify second on Saturday, there’s no reason to doubt the No. 47 can’t put together another solid run. Plus-money odds on a top-10 finish make for a great option.
Best Finish in Group D: Kurt Busch (+350)
Kurt Busch has been mired in a frustrating stretch of late. If history is any indication, the Coca-Cola 600 could be the race where he turns it around. Busch enters the weekend with an average finish of 10.5 in the last ten races at Charlotte, second among all drivers. Group D won’t be an easy one to win considering he is up against both Richard Childress Racing drivers, Tyler Reddick (+150) and Austin Dillon (+175). But in terms of NASCAR betting value, Busch has a whole lot more of it compared to the RCR teammates to win this four-man horse race.
To Finish on Lead Lap: Ross Chastain (+110)
Speaking of Chip Ganassi Racing, Ross Chastain has been throwing down some solid runs of late in the No. 42. While the team still undoubtedly has work to do, they got their Memorial Day Weekend off to a good start in qualifying on Saturday. Chastain will start tenth and should have the juice to finish this race on the lead lap.
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