For the first time ever, the NASCAR Cup Series will take on the streets of Chicago for Sunday's Grant Park 220 (5:30 p.m. ET, NBC).
Because NASCAR has never run this circuit, or frankly anything like it, we have absolutely no data to fall back on.
In addition, the general consensus is that this course is very tight with very little room for mistakes and will therefore make it hard to pass and could also result in plenty of attrition.
Since we don't have any historical to analyze at this point, I'm focusing on the inherent unpredictability of the Chicago Street Course to find NASCAR odds value for Sunday's Grant Park 220.
NASCAR Pick for Chicago
*NASCAR odds as of Wednesday
Ty Gibbs was very good at road courses in the XFINITY Series, picking up wins at the Daytona road course, Watkins Glen and Road America.
And while he hasn't exactly set the world on fire at road courses this year, Gibbs has still managed a 13.5 average finish through two road races (Circuit of the Americas and Sonoma) this season, which ranks second among the six Toyota drivers.
The fact that there are only six Toyotas in this race is also a factor, as Gibbs doesn't necessarily need to be the best of the bunch at Chicago, he just has to be the one that survives.
I know, this isn't exactly the most scientific betting article — which is saying something for me — but there is enough validity behind taking a talented road course racer in top equipment against just five other drivers in a race that could see significant attrition at a price of 10-1 NASCAR odds (bet365).
This weekend's race is not one I'll be betting heavily, but with that said, Gibbs to be the top Toyota at 10-1 NASCAR odds is good enough for me to lock in right now.
