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NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Predictions, Ryan Blaney’s Surge & Best Bets At Martinsville Speedway
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.
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Ryan Blaney wants to experience Deja vu.
The NASCAR Cup Series pilot parlayed last year’s win during the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville Speedway into his first circuit championship. Can he do it all over again?
He’s halfway there.
Blaney’s dramatic comeback victory during last Sunday’s Xfinity 500 qualified the Team Penske driver for next Sunday’s Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway.
Blaney’s victory, in a must-win situation, developed one race after failing to clinch the Homestead-Miami Speedway event a week earlier when Tyler Reddick passed the No. 12 Ford on the final lap.
Down but not out, Blaney rode in 10th place on a restart with 87 laps to go. Within 72 rotations, Blaney’s comeback – and a ticket to the final four – was complete. He held the lead for the final 15 drama-filled rotations.
Afterward, a drained Blaney told NASCAR.com he had “nothing left.”
He likely will be emotionally refueled by the time he enters the desert.
Just like last year.
Below, we’ll preview the top storylines heading into Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race, go over the odds, and give our best bets for the final race on the 2024 NASCAR schedule.
🏁 "There's a lot of pride in it."
Ryan @Blaney speaks on his second straight @MartinsvilleSwy victory to punch his ticket to the #Championship4 in Phoenix.
Who thinks he can go back-to-back? pic.twitter.com/qZ6VGnIlpp
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) November 4, 2024
NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Storylines
- The 2012 Cup titleholder, Brad Keselowski has long been a critic of the playoff system. His voice grew louder after leading 170 laps last Sunday at Martinsville and placing P9. It was just his second top-10 finish during the postseason.
- Team Penske has two drivers (Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano) qualified for the Championship 4 event. Its third pilot, Austin Cindric, continues seeking consistency. His P4 last Sunday was his best finish in his past 13 outings.
- Fans were forced to wait nearly 30 minutes following Sunday’s Round of 8 finale as NASCAR officials debated on Christopher Bell’s final four fate. Finally, the ruling was announced that Bell’s homage to Ross Chastain’s “Hail Melon” cost him a chance to advance. Will the 29-year-old grow from the setback?
A side-by-side comparison of Ross Chastain and Christopher Bell’s wall ride at Martinsville. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/5pYInQk7Hh
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 3, 2024
NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Driver Odds
Here is an early look at the drivers’ odds for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Driver | NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Odds |
|---|---|
| Ryan Blaney | +350 |
| William Byron | +400 |
| Christopher Bell | +500 |
| Joey Logano | +700 |
| Tyler Reddick | +775 |
| Kyle Larson | +900 |
| Denny Hamlin | +1200 |
| Chase Elliott | +1400 |
| Ross Chastain | +1600 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | +2200 |
| Ty Gibbs | +2800 |
| Chase Briscoe | +3300 |
| Kyle Busch | +4000 |
| Brad Keselowski | +4000 |
| Chris Buescher | +4000 |
| Alex Bowman | +5000 |
| Bubba Wallace | +5000 |
| Austin Cindric | +6600 |
| Josh Berry | +6600 |
| Daniel Suarez | +10000 |
| Austin Dillon | +10000 |
| Carson Hocevar | +12500 |
| Michael McDowell | +12500 |
| Ryan Preece | +12500 |
| Noah Gragson | +15000 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | +25000 |
| John Hunter Nemechek | +25000 |
| Zane Smith | +30000 |
| Erik Jones | +30000 |
| Todd Gilliland | +30000 |
| Corey LaJoie | +30000 |
| Harrison Burton | +50000 |
| Jimmie Johnson | +50000 |
| Daniel Hemric | +100000 |
| Kaz Grala | +100000 |
| JJ Yeley | +100000 |
| Derek Kraus | +100000 |
*Odds current at time of publication
NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Predictions and Picks
Here are our best NASCAR Cup Series bets for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway:
Ryan Blaney (+350)
The defending Cup champion and race favorite thrives in the desert. In his past seven starts at the 1-mile oval, Blaney recorded six top-fives and a circuit-best 322 laps led.
William Byron (+400)
After receiving a second chance to advance to the final four race, Byron returns to Phoenix, a track where he visited Victory Lane last November and earned four top 10s since the start of the 2021 season. With a circuit-best 4.7 average start, Byron’s qualifying prowess could place near the pole.
Tyler Reddick (+775)
Can Reddick give co-owner Michael Jordan another championship?
🫨 "There's a lot going on there at the end of that race."@TeamHendrick Vice Chairman @JeffGordonWeb weighs in on the chaotic ending at @MartinsvilleSwy that saw @WilliamByron claim the fourth and final #Championship4 spot. pic.twitter.com/GaN1YAwD6h
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) November 4, 2024
