Updated 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Odds

2014 Updated NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Odds

NASCAR Wagers, NASCAR Handicapping Service

All three of NASCAR’s top racing series have the weekend off while much of the nation celebrates Easter. Racing action will reconvene next weekend at Richmond International Raceway for both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series’. This weekend’s break comes similar to that of a competition caution on the 2014 season. Through 8 races, we have seen 7 different winners and competition has been impressive on a weekly basis. Outside of Kevin Harvick, you would have a hard time finding any other driver that has been consistently in contention for a win week in and week out. This weekend’s break will give teams a chance to regroup and refocus towards improving performance for the remainder of the season. For bettors that enjoy taking a shot at future championship odds, we wanted to give a brief breakdown on the updated 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Odds.

Our NASCAR Wagers’ staff does not particularly find a lot of value on championship odds this season if you take into factor the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup rule changes. If you have not read about the rules changes, then you definitely need to before placing a wager on championship futures this season. While we are not going to go into the entire breakdown, the final race at Homestead will single handedly decide the Sprint Cup Champion for those final 4 drivers still eligible at that time. Hypothetically a driver could win the first 9 races of the Chase, then blow a tire at Homestead and not win the championship. Instead the 36th and final race of the season at Homestead will award the 2014 Sprint Cup Championship to the highest finisher of the 4 remaining eligible drivers.

From a future championship odds standpoint, this makes any bet extremely risky. In fact, we would not promote any championship bets as a strong way to earn a profit based on the new rules format. However for those simply wanting some extra action and a shot at a nice payout, we will provide a few drivers that we believe have value at this point in the season. Kevin Harvick has been the strongest car thus far in 2014 and the #4 team has proved they are for real. Before last week’s race at Darlington, Harvick had led a total of 63 laps through his 17 career starts at Darlington. Harvick not only captured a win at Darlington but he dominated by leading 238 laps in last weekend’s event. The #4 team is having a breakout season similar to the way Matt Kenseth and the #17 team did in 2013. Even though Harvick is the 2nd overall favorite at a little better than 6 to 1, he still has to be the best bet on the board based on what we have witnessed thus far.

Another value pick at this point in the season would be Brad Keselowski currently listed at 10 to 1. Keselowski has posted a couple of bad finishes but is still 5th in the standings. More importantly, Keselowski has already punched his ticket to the Chase with his win back at Las Vegas. Keselowski is a driver that can turn it up a notch or three when the stakes are at their highest. Unlike 2013 when he failed to make the chase, Penske Racing has arguably been the most improved team of the 2014 season. Both Keselowski and Logano have wins. Both drivers have already earned at least one pole this season and have shown speed nearly every week. If you looking for a driver at decent odds, Keselowski may just be that guy. If you do not like our two picks, take a look at the odds for 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup below: