Matt Selz
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The NASCAR All-Star race happens on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway thanks in large part to Dale Earnhardt Jr. It’s been a while since North Wilkesboro has hosted a NASCAR event, aside from iRacing, as it’s absence on the NASCAR schedule dates back to 1996. The North Carolina short track has been a driver and fan favorite in the past and offers an electric venue for the million-dollar exhibition that is the All-Star Race this weekend. How are we betting the All-Star Race and what tracks compare to North Wilkesboro? Let’s find out.
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NASCAR All-Star Race Betting Strategies
This is a wild card of a race to be frank. Firstly, it’s an exhibition with only a partial field — one that’s set fully only a bit before the race. Secondly, it’s at a unique track, more on that below, that hasn’t been raced at by anyone in the field. Thirdly, and lastly, it’s a different race format with a million bucks on the line. There’s no telling what people will do for that kind of money on the line and a resume-builder like winning an All-Star Race, especially at North Wilkesboro.
So how are we approaching it?
Well, using some of the tracks talked about below, and practice results from Friday afternoon, we can put money on a few drivers to win and a take slightly different approach with prop bets as well. What’s different about prop bets this week? Well, top-10s aren’t available given the shorter field. So we’re looking mainly at top-fives and match-ups. For winners we’re using the saying “the cream always rises to the top” as advice. Remember it’s an All-Star race and bank on the best drivers showing up at the end.
What tracks compare to North Wilkesboro?
This is perhaps the most individual track on the NASCAR schedule, or was should I say. North Wilkesboro is considered a short track sure, but that doesn’t mean it fits with the others. The North Carolina oval is 5/8 or .625 miles long which makes it smack in between the lengths of Martinsville and Richmond. In terms of banking on the straights and corners it is very similar to that of Richmond and Phoenix. The surface at North Wilkesboro is as worn down as Auto Club and Darlington, though there’s one other unique feature here. The front stretch of the track runs downhill while the backstretch runs uphill due to not having the money to properly grade the site when it was built. So in short (excuse the pun), the track is a unique distance and layout but has characteristics of Auto Club, Darlington, Martinsville, Phoenix, and Richmond while having not been raced at in 27 years.
Predictions for All-Star Race Winner
Kyle Larson (+700 at FanDuel)
Had Ross Chastain not wrecked Larson out at Darlington we might be talking about Larson having multiple wins rather than his teammate Byron. That aside, Larson has been fast basically everywhere and has a dirt racing background to be able to find speed with no tires. If you want to make it a trio of HMS cars listed, given his teammate below, Chase Elliott (+1400 DraftKings) is also in the mix given a P3 finish in an event here on Wednesday night and hey it’s Elliott.
William Byron (+1000 at DraftKings)
Do we have to say it? He’s been threatening to win nearly every race this year it seems like and has a few wins already under his fire suit. He finished P2 here in a lower-division race earlier this week getting a feel for the track and let’s not forget how good he is at translating simulator racing to the real thing. I mean he got his ride because of dominance in iRacing and did well here in the 2020 iRacing event (not that that really matters).
Ryan Blaney (+1800 at BetMGM)
Hey, he won this race — albeit at a different track — last year right? In fact, that’s his only win in the last two years basically. Why can’t he do that again, add to his bank account, and perhaps get some good mojo? To be honest it’s a bit of a surprise to see him at this return given his struggles to close out races but again he does show up once a year so why not here?
Chase Briscoe (+3000 at BetMGM)
There’s always one long shot in every race right? Well, how about Briscoe? He’s been a top-10 driver on the short tracks this year and ran well at Phoenix and Bristol Dirt. Why does dirt matter? When tires are falling off, the guys that know how to be fast with no tires tend to make hay. That’s Briscoe to a degree. The Fords have been good at short tracks in the NextGen car as well so don’t be surprised if he’s threatening for the win or in control late in the race.
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Best Prop Bets For North Wilkesboro
Kevin Harvick Top-5 Finish (+130 at BetRivers)
He’s one of the best tire-wear and tough-to-pass drivers in the field. He’s run well at some of the tracks listed above this year including a runner-up at Darlington last weekend. Getting plus money here is a gift.
Martin Truex Jr. Top-5 Finish (+150 at BetRivers)
Truex has been good at shorter tracks for a while now and was quick last weekend at Darlington until wrecking out. Couple that with his previous All-Star wins and winning the one-off Clash in tough conditions and he should be a threat for the front of the field.
William Byron Top-5 Finish (+150 at BetRivers)
Byron has been lightning quick all year and was at Auto Club and Darlington, the two most tire-wear heavy tracks on the schedule. He also went out and finished P2 in an ASA All-Star Late Model race here on Wednesday night.
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