Multiple Cup Series drivers lead odds for win in Xfinity Series Shriners Children’s 200

The Xfinity Series continues its run of three road course races in four weeks Saturday at the historic Watkins Glen track. Last week in Indianapolis, defending Xfinity champion and current Cup Series racer Ty Gibbs got his first NASCAR win of 2023. Gibbs is racing in the Xfinity event again this week along with multiple Cup Series drivers, and they lead the odds for the Xfinity Series Shriners Children’s 200.

Busch, Gibbs, on top of the odds

Two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch leads the way at +225 for victory on Sunday. Busch’s enjoying a resurgent year in the Cup Series, and Watkins Glen has been a good place for him historically. Seventeen races have yielded two wins and another 11 top-10 finishes in the Cup Series alone.

Busch’s been inconsistent in recent Cup Series events. He’s either finished in the top five (Chicago, Atlanta, Richmond) or outside the top 20 (Loudon, Pocono, Michigan, Indianapolis) in the last seven races. A win at a track he knows, even in the Xfinity Series, will help with confidence heading into a wide-open playoff.

Cup Series rookie Gibbs (+250) is close behind him, thanks to his road course prowess in the Xfinity Series. It’s been a steady rookie season in the Cup Series, highlighted by a fifth-place finish in Pocono. And the defending Xfinity champ has a fantastic road course record. His 12 Xfinity wins across three seasons include four at road courses. The four wins are Daytona and Watkins Glen in 2021, Road America in 2022, and last week in Indianapolis.

It’s not easy to win back-to-back races in any formula. But Gibbs managed that in the final two events of the NASCAR Xfinity schedule last season. It’s not outlandish to think he could do it again. No matter what, he’s likely to be fighting for the win.

Fellow Cup Series racer Alex Bowman is next at +500. This is Bowman’s first Xfinity race in a down year for the Hendrick Motorsports driver. He started strong with pole position in the Daytona 500 and three top-five finishes in the first six races. But it took until last week in Indianapolis for him to notch another top-five result. A strong result here could give him some confidence ahead of the regular season finale in Daytona.

Xfinity drivers with good odds for victory in these NASCAR predictions

Cup Series drivers are heavily favored to win this weekend. However, there are a few Xfinity regulars not too far behind, starting with Cole Custer (+800).

The Stewart-Haas driver is back to his usual form after a solid sixth-place finish in Indianapolis last week. Through the Atlanta fall race, he had an outstanding 12 top-10 results in 17 races. That form is the main reason he’s fourth in the Xfinity series standings. His pace dropped off in Loudon, Pocono, and Road America but he looks to be on the up after last week.

Custer’s one of the better road course drivers on the Xfinity grid this season. His wins in Portland and Chicago from pole position are highlights of 2023. A win here would keep him within reach of the top trio of Austin Hill, John Hunter Nemechek, and Justin Allgaier.

Allgaier (+900) also had a great result in Indianapolis last week with his first top-five result in more than a month. He led the most laps in Road America and has top-five results in Chicago, Portland, and Austin. That makes him arguably the best road course driver on the Xfinity grid in 2023. Look for him to be fighting for a win again in a format he’s solid at.

Nemechek (+1200) has either won or finished outside the top 12 in the last six races. A campaign built on early success has turned more inconsistent lately. But he remains just 11 points back from Hill for the Xfinity Series lead. Tenth in Portland and second in Chicago shows he can perform well outside ovals. Another win here could bring him level with Hill ahead of another battle in Daytona.

Two drivers are tied at +1400 for the win: Sam Mayer and Sheldon Creed. Mayer’s been the best driver in the Xfinity Series over the last month with four consecutive top-five finishes. A win in Road America and second in Indianapolis and Pocono highlight the good stretch of form for the JR Motorsports driver. He’s right there with Allgaier as the best road course racer in 2023. His odds make him a longer shot for the Xfinity Series Shriners Children’s 200 win but it’s worth considering.

Creed, on the other hand, hasn’t finished in the top five since Talladega. He did earn pole position in Portland, led the most laps there, and was fighting for the win before a Turn 1 incident took him out of the running. Watkins Glen is somewhat similar to Portland in format so there’s a chance he has pace once again.

Predictions for the Xfinity Series Shriners Children’s 200

It’s coming down to the final months of the Xfinity Series season. Hill and Nemechek have been the class of the field with Allgaier and Custer keeping things close. But this weekend it’s all about the Cup Series racers.

Of the favorites, Busch is the best choice for victory. His success at Sonoma and Chicago are good ideas of how he could perform this weekend. If you want a better payout, look for Custer or Mayer. Both are standouts on road courses and the latter can give you a much better return for your investment.

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

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Nascar Go Bowling at the Glen Preview: Elliott’s First 2023 Win?
• 2023 Pennzoil 150 Odds: Cup Series Drivers Lead Xfinity Field
• 2023 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard: Truex Jr. Holds Favored
• Defending Xfinity champion Gibbs leads Cabo Wabo 250 odds
• NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 Odds: Larson the favorite once again in Michigan