Kyle Larson enters the NASCAR Cup Series’ Round of 16 as the top-ranked driver, highlighted among the favorites in the NASCAR Cup Series drivers championship odds. Despite being the 2021 circuit champion, Larson’s aggressive racing recently drew criticism, notably from Erik Jones, who missed the playoffs after Larson pushed him out of the lead group during last Saturday night’s race at Daytona.
Larson’s recent performance has seen a slight improvement after a slump following his attempt at The Double. Although he did not win at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he finished 35th after competing in the Indianapolis 500 earlier that day, Larson has avoided finishing below 28th place in subsequent races and posted consecutive sixth-place finishes that suggest momentum for a strong postseason run.
Ryan Blaney’s Impressive Late-Race Comeback
Ryan Blaney secured the Coke Zero Sugar 400 win in a dramatic fashion, moving up from 13th position with just two laps remaining at the 2.5-mile Daytona track. His late surge mirrors historic performances like Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s 2000 Talladega comeback, where Earnhardt rose from 18th place with five laps left to claim victory.
Such comebacks are rare; in the last decade across reconfigured tracks like Atlanta, Daytona, and Talladega, 35 of 51 winners were running within the top two spots with two laps to go. William Byron, another contender, won the Daytona 500 from ninth place, partly benefitting from a last-lap crash. Blaney currently holds +450 odds, placing him just behind Larson and Denny Hamlin as favorites for the drivers’ championship. William Byron and Christopher Bell follow closely with +550 odds.
Current Odds for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers’ Championship
According to BetOnline Sportsbook, the latest Week 27 NASCAR Cup Series drivers championship odds show Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin tied as frontrunners at +400. Ryan Blaney stands as the second choice at +450, with William Byron and Christopher Bell both listed at +550.
These odds highlight several drivers poised for a competitive finish as the season advances, setting the stage for an intense battle for the championship.
