Hamlin, Larson lead favorites again in 2024 Enjoy Illinois 300 Odds

A lightning delay and rainstorm cut last week’s Coca-Cola 600 short, and Christopher Bell earned his second win of the season. Kyle Larson’s absence due to running his first Indy 500 on the same day means the Cup Series has a new championship leader this week.

Denny Hamlin takes the top spot there and, by a slim margin, in the 2024 Enjoy Illinois 300 Odds.

2024 Enjoy Illinois 300 Odds: Favorites

Denny Hamlin (+550)

Hamlin’s fifth place in Charlotte last week continues his hot streak. He’s now finished in the top five of the last four races (five if you include the All-Star Race). No other driver in the field can match those NASCAR race results.

He’s the favorite thanks to momentum and standout finishes in shorter flat track ovals this season. He won in Richmond and started from pole in Phoenix, and led the most laps. There’s little reason to think he’ll slow down anytime soon and he should be a strong contender for the win.

Kyle Larson (+575)

Larson returns to the Cup Series following a solid performance in his first Indy 500. He started the race fifth but finished 18th. A four-hour delay to the start of the race kept him from competing in the Coca-Cola 600.

He’s back this week and could be in for a strong result. He took pole position and won Stage 1 in Richmond. In two career races at the World Wide Technology Raceway, Larson’s finished ahead of where he started.

Last year, he climbed from 22nd on the grid to fourth by the checkered flag. Look for him to make a statement in his first race back.

Martin Truex Jr. (+850)

Truex Jr. bounced back from his worst race of the season in Darlington with 12th in Charlotte. He’s still second in the NASCAR standings thanks to his metronomic consistency (top-20 results in 14 of 15 races).

He had a good run in Richmond earlier this year with a fourth-place finish, Stage 2 win, and the most laps led. He’s still looking for his first win of the year.

Christopher Bell (+900)

Bell enters this weekend with great momentum from Charlotte. That victory is his first since Phoenix, a similar track to this weekend’s challenge.

In Richmond, Bell finished sixth, giving confidence in how he’ll do this weekend. He finished ninth at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2022 and 11th last season. A little extra momentum could push him closer to victory.

Ryan Blaney (+900)

Blaney’s in his worst stretch of the season so far. He was classified 36th in Darlington and 39th last week. It’s a far cry from the three top-five finishes in the first four races of the year.

The defending champion needs a bounce-back event at some point on the NASCAR race schedule. This weekend could be it. He’s finished fourth and sixth in his two career races here.

William Byron (+950)

Byron racked up another top-five finish in Charlotte to stay in the top five of the Cup Series standings. His limited track record here is good but not great.

He finished 19th in 2022 and eighth last year after leading 30 laps. He’s been okay at similar tracks this season (18th in Phoenix, seventh in Richmond). It’d be a bit of a surprise to see him in victory lane but he should be near the front.

2024 Enjoy Illinois 300 Odds: Sleepers

Kyle Busch (+1150)

These odds aren’t too long but his track record in Iowa is fantastic. Busch went from 12th to second by the checkered flag in 2022 and won from pole position last year.

It is limited but no one else on the Cup Series grid can match that history. He’s winless in 2024 and currently 14th in the standings. A win here would go a long way to turning his season around.

Ty Gibbs (+1200)

Gibbs couldn’t convert his first pole position of the season to victory in Charlotte but finished sixth for another top-10 result. He’s consistently performing well in his sophomore season in the Cup Series.

Last year he finished 20th at this event. Before that, his last races at World Wide Technology Raceway were in the ARCA Menards Series. It is a lower series but he won races there in 2019 and 2020 at that level. Considering his good form lately, he could be in for a great result this weekend.

Chris Buescher (+1600)

This week marks Buescher’s second career NASCAR race at this track. Last year saw him finish 12th from 27th on the grid. He’s not in a good run lately with 30th in Darlington and 23rd in Charlotte.

But some of his best results so far this season came at similar tracks (second in Phoenix, ninth in Richmond). It’d be a surprise but not out of the question.

2024 Enjoy Illinois 300 Odds: Predictions

This week should be less weather-impacted as current forecasts show early rain Saturday before clear skies on Sunday. That should give way to exciting racing.

Of the favorites, Truex Jr. (+850) is our pick. He needs a win and that Richmond result gives us confidence. Of the sleepers, Gibbs (+1200) is our pick. This track is still a newer event for the Cup Series and his results in lower levels should help him out again.

Our picks for the top five are Truex Jr. (+150), Gibbs (+210), Hamlin (even), Blaney (+150), and Brad Keselowski (+180).

For NASCAR betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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