The first seven races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season have provided a little bit of everything for race fans. From the impressive starts to the early disappointments and all of the fireworks in between, the tone has been set for what should be a wild season. We’re fresh off of a week off, so now is a great time to look at the bigger picture. Who has struggled and who has looked good? Here is an updated look at futures bets to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title this season.
Impressive Starts
Brad Keselowski
Keselowski sits alone at the top of the standings as the only driver to record multiple wins so far this season. Keselowski won at Atlanta and then followed it up with another victory at Martinsville. With six top-10 finishes in his first seven starts of the season it’s clear the driver of the No. 2 Ford is ready to contend for a Sprint Cup Series title this season.
Jimmie Johnson
It took a while for Johnson to find his spot but he finally produced his first win of the season at Texas earlier this month to prove he still has it. Johnson has recorded just two top-10 finishes this season but he did place 11th at Las Vegas and has finished in the top-20 in all but two races. Winning will still be enough to trump consistency and Johnson already finds himself in a good spot after breaking through with a victory.
Early Disappointments
Kevin Harvick
Harvick is still the sports betting favorite to win the Sprint Cup Series title this season at +600 odds. However, he is still looking for his first win of the season and it has been a disappointing start so far. Harvick has posted just three top-10 finishes and his only top-five finish was at Texas in his last start. It’s only a matter of time before the driver of the No. 4 Ford gets going but so far he has been a disappointment.
Kyle Busch
The fact that Busch hasn’t recorded his first win of the season is absolutely incredible considering how close he has come. Busch placed third at Phoenix and second at Martinsville but just missed out on taking the checkered flag in each of those two starts. A bad temperament has been part of the problem as Busch has clashed with Joey Logano this season. However, Busch is too talented not to contend for the title. It won’t surprise anybody if he finally breaks through with a win this month.
Strong Value Bets
Kyle Larson
Larson has been absolutely outstanding to start the season and it’s clear he is worth putting some money on to win it all. Larson has placed in the top-five in five of his seven starts including a win at California and four runner-up finishes. Larson is the clear points leader at this time. Few saw it coming this season but Larson is clearly the best value bet to take home a Sprint Cup Series title this season.
Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman is an even better value in terms of his sports betting odds to win the Sprint Cup Series title. However, he is definitely a greater long shot than Larson. Newman picked up his first win of the season at Phoenix but has struggled with consistency as he has posted just two top-10 finishes. Newman will have a much tougher time contending for the title but after a strong start he might be a decent deep sleeper pick to contend this season.
Current NASCAR Standings
Kyle Larson 315
Chase Elliott 298
Martin Truex Jr. 275
Brad Keselowski 274
Joey Logano 243
Ryan Blaney 224
Kyle Busch 211
Jamie McMurray 209
Clint Bowyer 204
Kevin Harvick 198
Jimmie Johnson 190
Trevor Bayne 164
Ryan Newman 163
Erik Jones 159
Kurt Busch 151
Updated Odds To Win 2017 Monster Energy Cup
Jimmie Johnson +700
Kevin Harvick +600
Joey Logano +700
Kyle Busch +900
Martin Truex, Jr. +800
Brad Keselowski +800
Chase Elliott +1300
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. +2500
Denny Hamlin +1500
Matt Kenseth +1600
Clint Bowyer +2500
Kyle Larson +900
Erik Jones +5000
Kurt Busch +3000
Kasey Kahne +5500
Austin Dillon +5500
Daniel Suarez +5000
Ryan Blaney +6000
AJ Allmendinger +12500
Jamie McMurray +15000
Ryan Newman +400
Field – Any Other Driver +2000
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