The NASCAR Cup Series visits Watkins Glen International on Sunday for its second straight road course race.
With just two races left until the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begins, Sunday's Go Bowling at the Glen (3 p.m. ET, USA) will be extremely interesting as drivers below the cut line, including fan favorite Chase Elliott, are running out of chances to win their way into the postseason.
Speaking of Elliott, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is among today's race favorites, along with teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson, based on the latest NASCAR odds.
And it's the favorites that I'm keying in on with my favorite bet for Watkins Glen.
NASCAR Pick for Watkins Glen
*NASCAR odds as of Sunday afternoon
Elliott is widely considered the best road course racer in the Cup Series, and the numbers certainly back this up.
Despite not yet visiting victory lane, Chase has finishes of fifth, third and second on road courses this season.
Please note that he did not race at Circuit of the Americas in March after suffering a leg injury while snowboarding.
And if you zoom out even further, Elliott has been the dominant driver in the Next Gen car at road course races.
Since the start of 2022, the driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet has the best average finish and the best average running position while also leading the most laps and running the most fast laps.
And finally, here are Elliott's last four finishes at Watkins Glen: fourth, second, first and first.
I understand that Elliott didn't exactly light the world on fire in practice and qualifying on Saturday, but it's not like we have to buy him at his pre-practice price either.
The 2020 Cup Series champion closed around +350, depending on the sportsbook, before cars hit the track yesterday for qualifying. But he's now available at +550 at most shops, including FanDuel, and you can even get +600 at BetMGM.
Elliott is the best road course racer in the sport, his Hendrick teammates are very fast, and this is one of his best tracks. So, I'm willing to invest in this car making its way from the 15th-place starting position to the front by the end of today's race.
The bet: Chase Elliott (+600) to win
