NASCAR champion has to be loving where he’s at right now

NASCAR champion has to be loving where he's at right now

As a seasoned NASCAR enthusiast who has weathered numerous twists and turns in this high-octane world of racing, I find myself once again holding my breath for Ryan Blaney. The 2023 playoffs have proven to be another rollercoaster ride, but the thrill is part of what keeps us hooked.

The initial phase consisting of eight races from the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs has been completed, with only two additional races remaining before the final four contenders are determined.

Joey Logano from Team Penske was the first racer to secure a spot in the final race where the winner takes all, which will take place at Phoenix Raceway in two weeks. This leaves three remaining positions to be filled during the upcoming races at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Martinsville Speedway over the next fortnight.

Ryan Blaney, one of our teammates, is among the four drivers currently short of qualifying for the Championship 4 as we approach Homestead-Miami. Following a frustrating 32nd position finish at Las Vegas, he now trails the cutoff by 47 points. It seems like a win would be necessary for him to progress further in the championship.

Blaney was in a similar position last year.

In the initial race of the round 8 at Las Vegas, Blaney was initially placed sixth, but later had his disqualification overturned when NASCAR discovered a problem with the inspection procedure, ultimately allowing him to keep his sixth-place finish.

However, individuals who placed their bets on Blaney’s odds once the disqualification news broke, found themselves handsomely rewarded, as he was initially considered a longshot for the championship with odds of +3400.

Hope you kept the receipts @Blaney 🧾
— Beyond the Flag (@Beyond_The_Flag) November 6, 2023

Despite having a disqualification overturned, Blaney headed to Homestead-Miami Speedway with a 17-point deficit below the cutoff line. However, his victory at Martinsville Speedway earned him a place in the Championship 4 for the very first time in his career.

Even if my disqualification had been upheld, I’d still have made it to the Championship 4, where I snatched my very first career title with a runner-up spot behind Ross Chastain from Trackhouse Racing Team. That man wasn’t eligible for the championship anymore.

This time around, Blaney’s odds are in a similar position.

It seems that his odds are suggesting a higher possibility for him to clinch the title this year compared to where he was at this time last year. At DraftKings Sportsbook, he is given +2200 odds, which places him ahead of only Chase Elliott from Hendrick Motorsports among the eight current title contenders.

After last year, it’s probably right where he wants to be.

Among the top contenders for the championship, Kyle Larson from Hendrick Motorsports has the best odds at 2.6:1 (or 260 to 100), followed by Joey Logano from Team Penske at 3.0:1 (or 300 to 100). Notably, Logano is already guaranteed a spot in the Championship 4. Coming in third is Christopher Bell from Joe Gibbs Racing, with odds of 3.3:1 (or 330 to 100).

You can check out the chances for winning the entire NASCAR Cup Series right here, but remember that odds and their availability may fluctuate over time.

Don’t forget to catch the live broadcast of the Straight Talk Wireless 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway on NBC this coming Sunday, October 27 at 2:30 p.m. ET! Start a free trial with FuboTV today and ensure you don’t miss any of the thrilling action!

2024-10-27 20:32