Top Picks to Win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship: Elliott Leads Pack into Playoffs

After a chaotic end to the regular season, the NASCAR playoffs begin this week. Who will hoist the Cup Series trophy? Find out with our top picks to Win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

The NASCAR regular season ended last week with absolute carnage in Daytona. Austin Dillon survived a massive late race pile up and the ensuing three-hour rain delay to become the 16th different race winner this season. He also locked up the final spot in the playoffs as a result.

Now, he and 15 of his fellow drivers begin their quest for the Cup Series Championship. The regular season champion, Chase Elliott comes in as the favorite to win the title. However, there are plenty of other talented drivers wanting to hoist the cup, including Kyle Larson, his teammate and defending champion. 

Here are our picks for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship based on the odds at our top-rated sportsbooks.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship Odds

NASCAR Cup Series Championship Picks

Who Will Win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship?

Elliott (+275)

It was a good thing Elliott clinched the regular season points title before last week’s Daytona debacle. Despite his 29th-place finish there, the No. 9 car enters the postseason with 40 playoff points. Joey Logano is the second-place driver with 25 playoff points. 

Elliott all but has a free pass to the Round of 12, which begins at the Texas Motor Speedway on Sept. 25. It ends on the Charlotte Roval three weeks later. Elliott has won two of the four races in the road course configuration at Concord. Another win there would punch his ticket even further.

He's been one of the most consistent drivers this season while accumulating four wins and 17 top-10 finishes, both of which lead the series.

  Check out the latest comprehensive and most trusted Sportsbook Reviews by SBR.  

Larson (+600)

While Larson is not on the same level as he was during his 2021 championship run, it’s hard to count him completely out. Despite his relative struggles this year, he still comes in fourth in the playoff standings and well within striking distance of the title. 

Five of Larson's 10 wins last season came over the playoff run. Coincidentally, he entered the 2021 playoffs coming off of a disappointing showing in Daytona which he will do again this season.

It is certainly a good idea to grab a Larson ticket at his current offering. Should he pick up a win in the Round of 16, you are unlikely to see this generous of a price again.  

Harvick (+1200)

Two months ago, Kevin Harvick’s odds to win the championship were as high as +4000. After back-to-back victories and eight top-10 finishes in the 13 races before, his price has driven back to his preseason odds. He sits inside the top 10 with 12 playoff points and has work to do if he hopes to advance. However, the playoffs contain several tracks on which he has seen tremendous success.

Harvick has nine career wins on the three tracks in the Round of 16. Should he advance to the Championship 4, he will take to the Phoenix Raceway. Harvick has made 39 career starts in Phoenix. He has an astounding nine wins which is the most by any driver on this track. He is riding a streak of 18 straight top-10 finishes going back to the Spring race of 2012.   

Where to Bet on the NASCAR Cup Series Championship

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook
PointsBet
BetMGM

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship picks made on 8/29/2022 at 1 p.m. ET.