Can you hear the roar? The roar of cars on track, that’s what should be expected as the 2020 NASCAR season is nearly here. Car’s will be on track starting this weekend, and on Sunday 18 of the sports best will take part in the opening race of the season, as the Busch Clash opens the NASCAR calendar. No points on the line but, still a fun way to kick-off the new season. It’s definitely a good way to get ready for Next Weekend’s season-opening Daytona 500. With that race quickly approaching, its time to look at which drivers have the best odds of winning the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship.
A pair of Co-Favorites lead the way at +500
Atop the odds board is defending champion Kyle Busch, who will likely be a top favorite at every track NASCAR will visit. 2019 seemed pretty quiet for Busch, but he was able to pick up momentum at the right time, and it resulted in his second career championship at NASCAR’s highest level. Five wins last season, for Busch, but he will have a strong chance to repeat as Champion in 2020. Yet he isn’t the only driver with the best odds, as Kevin Harvick belongs in the conversation as well. He finished third in the standings in 2019 but had a really strong season including 15 top-five finishes and four wins. Harvick will likely contend for his second championship in 2020.
Martin Truex Jr +600
Not too far behind and in search of his second series championship is Kyle Busch’s teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, Martin Truex Jr. Truex who ended the 2019 season as runner-up also finished with a season-high seven wins which topped all drivers. A new crew chief this season will make for some growing pains, but for one of the most successful drivers in the last five seasons, Truex is a threat week in and week out in NASCAR.
Denny Hamlin +700
Like his two teammates, Denny Hamlin joined in on the very successful 2019 for Joe Gibbs Racing. In last season’s playoffs Hamlin looked to be the most in position to take home the championship and in the round of eight he was able to really create momentum including a win at Phoenix Raceway. For a season that started with a win in the 2019 Daytona 500, Hamlin’s bid for his first championship again went unanswered. Hamlin has to find the inches, but he is right on the heels of the top three favorites.
Chase Elliott +1200
A bit of a longshot is Chase Elliott. Given his strong performances the past three seasons especially during the playoffs, he has a favorable shot at the championship in 2020. He once again found victory lane three-times in 2019, following up his first three wins from 2018. He has yet to prove he can win anywhere but road courses and Talladega, but he looks set to start the new decade in a big way. This being Jimmie Johnsons’ final season, Chase Elliott will take the reigns as Hendrick Motorsports top driver, and what better way to do that than capturing his first Cup Series championship.
