What does NASCAR sports betting mean?
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NASCAR betting consists of a number of betting markets available on individual races and the entire NASCAR season.However, that straight to the point answer is somewhat misleading as there are a number of different betting options available on NASCAR.
Yet it remains something of an enigma for punters outside of the North American continent, so in this post, we will explore all the key things you need to know about NASCAR and NASCAR betting. So let’s begin with a simple question for those readers unfamiliar with this massively popular American motor racing series.
What is NASCAR?
The NASCAR series is one of the most popular forms of motorsports in North America. Unsurprisingly then, it is easily one of the most popular motor sports betting markets in that part of the world.It is an acronym for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.
In other parts of the globe, betting on Formula 1 may be the most popular motor racing markets. NASCAR enjoys at least equal popularity in the United States and Canada as F1, in fact it is likely to be far more popular in those localities. So before we move onto specific NASCAR betting markets, let’s first understand a little more about the NASCAR series, races and season.
The three NASCAR series
Although the term NASCAR is used to describe stock car racing in the United States (and other parts of the world), at the highest level, there are three series that comprise the main NASCAR racing experience. In order of ranking from the lowest ranking to the highest, they are:
- Craftsman Truck Series
First contested in 1995, this division races pickup truck stock cars. A typical Truck Series season comprises around 23 races.
- Xfinity Series
Although operating under a different name for many years prior, the second-tier of NASCAR racing became the Xfinity Series in 2015. A season in the Xfinity Series comprises around 33 races.
- Cup Series
Founded in 1949, the NASCAR Cup Series has used many names previously. There are three championships to be won, Drivers, Owners and Manufacturers. A season is contested over 36 races.
All of the three series have a regular season and then an elimination race-off system over the last few races to decide the eventual champions. Drivers are eliminated after each stage until just a select few remain to compete in the final race of the season to decide the Champion.
If people simply use the term NASCAR racing, then it is generally races and seasons in the Cup Series that they are most likely to be referring to. For the purposes of the remainder of this article, and due to the fact it is the most popular series in terms of NASCAR betting, we will be focusing on the Cup Series.
NASCAR Cup series race
A typical NASCAR Cup Series regular season race will have the full complement of cars competing. This can be anywhere between 30 and 40 vehicles in the race. Each race is held at a different track across the United States starting the season in February each year in the southern (warmer) states. Drivers, teams and manufacturers are awarded points for each race based on their performance in the race.
Some of the top NASCAR races of the season include:
- The Daytona 500 (February)
- Pennzoil 400 (March)
- Coca Cola 600 (May)
- Brickyard 400 (July)
NASCAR Cup series season
A typical NASCAR season runs from February through to November each year. However, the season is split into two sections.The regular season lasts for the first 26 races and is completed in mid-to-late August at the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Daytona.
After these 26 races have been completed. The top 16 drivers progress into the Playoffs. A series of races where the poorest performing drivers will be eliminated until the Champion is decided.
The Playoffs begin in late August/early September with the Southern 500. This is the first of three Round of 16 races. There then follows three Round of 12 races (with 12 drivers remaining), then three Round of 8 races with just 8 drivers remaining.The final race of the year is the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in Phoenix, Arizona which sees the top four drivers compete to crown the season’s Champion.
NASCAR betting markets
There are many popular betting markets available for NASCAR and these include:
Race betting markets for NASCAR
- To win the race
A simple bet on which driver will win the next NASCAR race from those competing.
- Podium Finish
A bet which will pay out if the driver you back with a bet finishes in either of the top three places in the race, securing a place on the podium.
- Matched drivers betting
A bet on which one of two selected drivers will perform best in the race. Usually in the form of which of the two (or more) selected drivers will finish highest in the race.
- Team race winner
This is a bet on which of the teams will win the race.
- Number of race winner
Often, this is a bet where a punter bets on whether the winner of the race will have an odd or even number.
- Will any driver win Stage 1 and Stage 2?
A NASCAR race has Stage 1 and Stage 2 pre-races ahead of the main race. This is a bet on whether any driver will win both Stage 1 and Stage 2 races at the same event.
- Race position betting
This is a bet on whether a named driver will finish within a stated number of positions (such as the top five, top ten).
Outright markets for NASCAR
In addition to individual race bets, punters can also place a number of bets on outright markets based on the entire season. The most popular Outright NASCAR bets are to back who will be the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series (either the driver, Team or Manufacturer)
With so many drivers, a huge choice of races and drama in both the regular season and playoffs, it is easy to see why NASCAR as a sport, and NASCAR betting as a hobby, is very popular with punters, especially in North America.
More about betting opportunities :
- How does live betting work?
- What is spread betting?
- What is Bet Builder?
- What is the Double Chance bet?
- What is the under/over market in sports betting?
- What is the Both Teams to score market?
- How does Virtual Sports Betting work?
- How to win your live betting?
- What are free bets?
- What is a Bonus and How Does it Work?
- How to make a living from sports betting?
- How to Bet on the Stock Market?
- How does football grid work?
- What is no risk matched betting?
- How to boost your winning with enhanced odds?
- What is an odds boost and how does it work?
- Do any Bookmakers offer the chance to bet on and play fantasy sports?
- What are free games and which are the most popular offered by Bookmakers?
- Sports Betting - Should you bet on shorter odds options?
- What is Dutch Betting?
- How does a Trixie bet work?
- What is a Yankee Bet?
