The NASCAR Cup Series' run at 1.5-mile tracks continues with Thursday night's Super Start Batteries 400 at Kansas Speedway.
This week's race will be the third-straight points-paying event hosted at a smooth, 1.5-mile circuit, providing solid data on which to lean from a betting perspective.
We'll also look at performances from the two races at Charlotte in May as both were run under the lights like this week's race.
This will help us pick out the best values, but as we've learned over the last couple of races, nailing down the fastest cars doesn't necessarily translate to victory every time.
However, doing this consistently over time will result in long-term profit.
Let's look at my favorite values for Thursday night's NASCAR race at Kansas.
NASCAR at Kansas Odds, Betting Picks
Odds as of Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ET and via FanDuel. Get up to a $500 risk-free bet at FanDuel today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.
Ryan Blaney (+900)
I mean, what else is there to say about Blaney at this point that I haven't already said over the last couple of weeks?
In five races (Las Vegas, two at Charlotte, Kentucky and Texas) run at smooth, 1.5-mile tracks (like Kansas), Blaney has the best average finish, the best driver rating and the most fast laps run.
You can make a legitimate argument that the No. 12 Team Penske Ford has been the fastest car at similar tracks to Kansas this season, and over a solid sample size of races as well.
I have no arguments with Kevin Harvick being the betting favorite at +420, but there's no way Blaney shouldn't be listed at a similar price.
[Bet now at FanDuel. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]
Alex Bowman (+2600)
After riding Bowman early in the season and at the beginning of NASCAR's restart in May, I've been off the No. 88 Chevy as of late, but that will change on Thursday.
While Bowman wasn't all that impressive at Kentucky and Texas, he was a rocket ship in both Charlotte races, which is important because the Super Start Batteries 400 will start in the day, then transition to night, just like the Coca-Cola 600.
It seems like forever ago, but Bowman led the most laps and ran the most fast laps over those two Charlotte events.
Throw in the fact that Alex ranked third in laps led, fast laps run and driver rating at Kansas last year, and we have the upside of a driver with the speed to run among the favorites, but priced as a mid-tier option at 26-1.
[Bet now at FanDuel. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]
