NASCAR returns to The Last Great Colosseum in Bristol, Tennessee. The steeply-banked, half-mile bull ring delivers some of the most exciting racing on the planet. As always, trust the data but also trust your eyes. Here are the best bets for the NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol.
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Race Winner — Food City 500
Kyle Larson +450
The sweep is off the table. Kyle Larson didn’t have the truck to win on Friday night, but that didn’t stop Yung Money from trying. He rallied from a Stage 3 penalty and was on the bumper of race-winner Chandler Smith at the finish. If he can nearly win with weak equipment, he can dominate with top-tier gear. The Hendrick No. 5 Chevy isn’t just good—it’s great, and greatness dominates. Larson led 462 of 500 laps at Bristol last fall, delivering a flawless victory—the most laps led in a single race in the modern era.
“You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” NASCAR is full of Incredible Hulks—drivers who carry grudges and live to win, even in meaningless races. Larson lost the Xfinity race at Homestead, despite dominating it. The next day, he unleashed his frustration on the Cup Series field. Losing doesn’t sit well with him. He came up short on Friday, so Bristol better brace itself. A giant green wrecking machine is about to tear down the coliseum.
Check back later this week for additional NASCAR matchup bets and prop bets as they become available on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Race Winner — Food City 500
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +17,000
“Wrecky Spinhouse” isn’t a prudent wager—no +17,000 bet is, and Stenhouse rarely is. But +17,000 odds are steep. Bristol is typically won by the best, and the back of the field faces impossibly long odds. In the Gen-7 era, there’s no true back of the field. Parity levels the playing field—equipment is nearly identical. Cautions reset the pack, and restarts wreak havoc. Bristol’s bullring rewards survival, opening the door for anyone. Long odds shouldn’t exist in 2025, especially at Bristol. This might not be the week, but it’s coming. A victory lane stranger will soon cash someone a massive payout.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has struggled at Bristol. His JTG Daugherty races haven’t panned out, though short tracks like this were his strength during his Roush days. JTG rebranded to Hyak Motorsports in late 2024, with ownership quietly shifting mid-season. This isn’t just a name change—the team feels transformed. Stenhouse now has a top-20 car, comparable to his competitive Roush era. It’s not unthinkable for him to run in the top 10. Add timely cautions, and he’s got a shot. Every longshot does. This might not be the week, but it’s coming.
