The NASCAR Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the USA Today 301, and DraftKings Sportsbook has the odds ready. This flat, one-mile track always rewards precision and patience, but chaos from weather and strategy can swing bets in a hurry. Let’s break down the best NASCAR picks and value plays to target for Sunday’s race in Loudon.
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Race Winner — USA Today 301 at New Hampshire
Christopher Bell +330
Christopher Bell stands out as the premier pick to win the NASCAR Cup Series USA Today 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on DraftKings Sportsbook, where he’s listed as the odds-on favorite at +330. With a commanding presence on flat, one-mile tracks like New Hampshire, Bell has demonstrated exceptional dominance, including a victory there in the 2024 Cup Series race despite challenging conditions like rain delays and overtime. His career stats at the track underscore this prowess: in eight national series starts, he’s secured seven top-two finishes, and he’s undefeated in the Xfinity Series with four wins, leading an astonishing 430 of 600 laps completed. This historical edge, combined with Joe Gibbs Racing’s strong Toyota package for short, flat venues, positions Bell to control the race from the pole position in the Round of 12 opener.
Bell’s 2025 Cup Series campaign further bolsters this recommendation, as he’s notched four wins—tied for second-most in the field—including a three-race streak early in the season at Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix, plus a crucial playoff victory at Bristol last weekend that propelled him into the Round of 12 on momentum. Currently ranking fourth in playoff standings with a 20-point buffer above the cutline, Bell has overtaken Chase Elliott for the best average finish this year, reflecting his consistency across 26 races with 13 career Cup triumphs overall. On DraftKings, betting Bell to win offers strong value given his track affinity and red-hot form, making him the clear best bet for bettors seeking a reliable payout in this high-stakes playoff tilt.
Matchups — USA Today 301 at New Hampshire
Chase Elliott (-110) vs. Chase Briscoe (-130) — Chase Briscoe (-130)
Chase Elliott vs. Chase Briscoe looks close on paper, but the matchup tilts toward Briscoe. New Hampshire is a track where Joe Gibbs Racing has historically dominated, but raw speed and starting spot can level the field. Briscoe has been excellent in qualifying all season, and at “The Magic Mile,” track position matters more than most places — once you’re stuck mid-pack, it’s nearly impossible to work forward without perfect strategy or a lucky caution. If Briscoe puts his car up front early, he has a clear edge over Elliott.
That’s why the books have Briscoe priced at −130 compared to Elliott’s −105. Elliott is steady, but Loudon hasn’t been a stronghold for him, and he doesn’t have the same qualifying pop that Briscoe brings. In a head-to-head where passing is scarce and clean air is gold, Briscoe’s ability to start near the front makes him the sharper side of this matchup.
