It all comes down to one race. NASCAR’s top three series will crown its champion this weekend in Phoenix. In this article, I’m going to break down each Championship 4 matchup and figure out if it’s worth betting on them to win the race as well as the Championship.
First let's meet the Championship 4 drivers: The Truck Series season comes to an end on Friday Night with Corey Heim (+160), Christian Eckes (+325), Grant Enfinger (+600), and Ty Majeski (+350) eligible for the Championship.
In the Xfinity Series, the battle is between Justin Allgaier (+350), AJ Allmendinger (+2000), Austin Hill (+750), and defending Champion Cole Custer (+300).
On Sunday the NASCAR Cup Series Champion will be fought between Joey Logano (+625), Tyler Reddick (+700), William Byron (+575), and Ryan Blaney (+350) who will try to go back-to-back.
All Odds Listed Are Race Winner Odds
Craftsman Truck Series Champion - Corey Heim (+160)
Corey Heim is the favorite amongst the group and for obvious reasons. He’s won a series-high six races and has 17 Top 10s in 22 races. He was the favorite to win the Championship last year before being the subject of payback from Carson Hocevar.
His Phoenix numbers aren’t the best, in just two starts he’s finished 7th and 18th, which is middle of the pack in comparison to other tracks. However, the championship race adds another level of pressure and he was in line to win last year before he got caught up in his issues.
Ever since Corey Heim got those opportunities to drive some Cup Series races he’s been a better race car driver in my opinion. This year he has no enemies and the stars align with the favorite.
At the time I write this article Championship odds are available for the Truck Series. I’d bet Heim to win the race at +160 and the Championship at +135.
Xfinity Series Champion - Justin Allgaier (+350)
I believe this is a two-man race for the Xfinity Series title between Justin Allgaier and Cole Custer. There’s a head-to-head matchup between the two every week and it’s always listed as a pick ‘em price.
Allgaier is being compared to Mark Martin and Denny Hamlin of the Xfinity Series. Always in the Championship 4 but can never come through with the trophy. He’s snake bit.
At tracks with more than 10 starts, Phoenix is his 8th best according to average finish (10.0). However, it's the track where he has the most Top 10s (18) and the second-most wins (2).
Like the Truck Series race, I believe you will have to win the race to win the Championship. I don’t see anything getting in Allgaier's way this time, bet him to sweep both trophies this weekend.
Cup Series Champion - Ryan Blaney (+350)
No matter who wins the Championship, there’s a compelling story for each. We either get a 3-time champion, Michael Jordan is a Cup Series Championship owner, the 24 returns to the top after 23 years, or our first back-to-back Champion since Jimmie Johnson.
I’m going with the first back-to-back Champion since Jimmie Johnson angle. Ryan Blaney and Team Penske have been lights out at these style of tracks. Gateway was all Blaney if he didn’t run out of gas, leading to his teammate Austin Cindric winning. He then went out and dominated Iowa.
Last year he probably had the car to beat, but couldn’t pass Ross Chastain. It didn’t matter he held off the right guys and won the Championship. This year I see much of the same, Blaney will be tough to beat but Christopher Bell will win the race.
Wait for Blaney Championship odds to come out and hammer that. Sprinkle on Bell to win Phoenix.
Tampa Timms’ Season Record - +27.22 Units (9.50% ROI)
By Alex Timms
His friends call him Alex, but you can call him “Tampa Timms.” He’s a full-time producer and, part-time gambler, but his co-workers would tell you it’s the other way around. He once decided to stay on a boat and fire off bets, rather than hang out in the water sippin’ a cold beverage with his friends.
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