| NASCAR has become one of the hottest sports to | | | | and involve drivers who are all competing against |
| bet, so we're here to put you on the fast track to | | | | each other to win the race, with the bet specifically |
| understanding racing odds and finding the best places | | | | focused upon how one driver finishes compared to |
| to wager. The two main ways of gambling on | | | | another driver in the matchup. Group matchups are |
| NASCAR are "Betting to Win" a race and "Matchup | | | | another "matchup betting" option particularly popular |
| Betting" which pits a driver against another driver or | | | | in golf and NASCAR, where you can select how one |
| a group of drivers. | | | | driver will finish amongst a group of other drivers. |
| "Betting to Win" an outcome event like the Daytona | | | | Both head-to-head and group matchup NASCAR odds |
| 500 is the most common way to wager on a | | | | are based on the money line. |
| NASCAR race. Since NASCAR has multiple races over | | | | Since NASCAR has pre-qualifying, not everybody will |
| the course of a year, "Betting to Win" obviously | | | | start the race, so most group matchups will typically |
| offers numerous wagering opportunities. It is very | | | | require all individuals in the group to start in order to |
| important to note that not all the drivers in a race | | | | be eligible for action. Different sportsbooks will often |
| may be listed, so another NASCAR betting option is | | | | feature different matchups, and this is very |
| on the "field" which includes all other drivers not listed. | | | | important to note because you can shop around to |
| The NASCAR odds on a "field" bet depend on how | | | | different online sportsbooks and try to find the |
| many drivers are listed and how likely it is for the top | | | | NASCAR matchup that's most worth betting on. |
| drivers to win. In other words, if the same five or six | | | | Also, keep in mind that popular drivers tend to be |
| drivers seem to battle it out for the top spots each | | | | over-rated and over-priced when oddsmakers create |
| race, the odds on the "field" will be much higher since | | | | these artificial matchups due to their status of being |
| there is less likelihood that one of the longshots in | | | | more well-known with the public, so the underdogs |
| the "field" will win. | | | | are usually a good play because they offer more |
| Here's an example: | | | | value. If you like a particular driver going into a |
| Favorites or top drivers = 5/1 to 10/1 | | | | NASCAR race, your best move is to compare |
| 30 or so other well-known drivers listed individually = | | | | matchups across multiple sportsbooks and put a |
| 10/1 to 200/1 | | | | larger wager on the biggest mismatch in your |
| Field (collection of 20 or more not listed) = 80/1 | | | | estimation. Then you can also put down a small |
| Futures are another way you can "Bet to Win" that | | | | wager on your favorite driver to win the race in case |
| can offer you appealing NASCAR odds because you | | | | he takes the checkered flag. By betting your driver |
| are betting far in advance of when the event takes | | | | to win the race and a matchup, you'll have double the |
| place. For example, betting on the 2006 Daytona 500 | | | | fun knowing you've got double the chances to win! |
| now might get you much better value on Jeff | | | | If you are a knowledgeable NASCAR fan who has a |
| Gordon, who may be 10/1 at this moment but dip to | | | | good feel about how races will likely turn out, then |
| 6/1 closer to the event if he is on a roll. | | | | you should most definitely trust your insights and use |
| In addition, NASCAR drivers are awarded Nextel Cup | | | | them to find strong bets. For those of you with less |
| points according to the place they finish in each race, | | | | experience, several sports web sites have power |
| and those points are accumulated over the course of | | | | rankings for drivers which should give you a good |
| the season. Some Las Vegas sportsbooks will allow | | | | idea of who's hot on the NASCAR racing circuit and |
| you to bet on who you think will finish atop the | | | | who's not. Of course it's up to you to decide which |
| Nextel Cup standings, giving you yet another | | | | driver you want to bet on, but the more you learn |
| opportunity when it comes to betting NASCAR. | | | | about NASCAR racing, the more prepared you will be |
| Meanwhile, "Matchup Betting" offers an alternative to | | | | when placing your bet. Hopefully now at least you |
| simply betting on a NASCAR race's winner. Artificial | | | | know the basics of betting NASCAR and how to use |
| head-to-head matchups are created by oddsmakers | | | | NASCAR odds to your advantage! |