The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs head to the Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Bank of America Roval 400, one of the most unpredictable races of the season. With tight turns, elevation changes, and the constant threat of chaos, bettors can find plenty of value on DraftKings Sportsbook. Let’s break down the best bets to target as drivers battle to keep their championship hopes alive.
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Top 10 Finish — Bank of America Roval 400
Alex Bowman (+260)
Hendrick Motorsports read the tea leaves. Road courses are important; HMS and, in collaboration with JR Motorsports, have invested in their road racing program. The results are undeniable. Aside from Shane Van Gisbergen’s dominance, HMS and JRM have owned the road. Just look at Saturday’s race. JRM qualified one, two, three, four, and five. Connor Zilisch won the Xfinity Series Charlotte Roval race on used-up tires. These Chevys are fast.
Bowman doesn’t have a road racing pedigree. Most Cup Series drivers do not. The difference is the ride. Bowman may not be the best, but he’s always driven the best equipment. He does have a Chicago Street Circuit win, but he’s not a real contender for a win on Sunday. He is a contender for the top 10. Ironically, Bowman the Showman is not flashy. It’s challenging to be among the best when measured against the world’s top performers. He’s not the star. The spotlight doesn’t shine on Bowman, but he’s on the stage. He’s a foil. He drives the plot. Top 10s are givens.
Race Winner — Bank of America Roval 400
Shane Van Gisbergen (-120)
Get rich or go broke. SVG isn’t a life-changing bet. An SVG win won’t bank or break the bank in the Bank of America Roval 400. There’s a reason he’s a heavy favorite. He’s on another level. It’s been apparent since day one. His win in the 2023 Chicago street race wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t the product of a novel race. Van Gisbergen smoked the Xfinity Series drivers at the road courses in 2024. He’s won the last four Cup Series road races this season, and it has not been close. Betting against SVR is betting against Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the 90s. There’s not a lot of money to be won, but small wins are better than losses.
Van Gisbergen was the favorite to win at the Roval heading into the weekend. He was the favorite heading into the season. His practice session on Saturday cemented his status. Tires are wearing. Tires are wearing for everyone other than SVG. The Super Car champ exhibited his expertise on Saturday. His late-session laps were fast. Most Cup Series drivers were running 90-second laps seven laps into their session. SVG didn’t slow to 90 seconds until lap 14 of the practice session.
