Probably the most shocking thing in NASCAR this season is Kyle Busch not winning a Cup Series Race, but that could change at Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. At least that is what Busch is hoping.
Busch hasn’t won a race since November when he claimed victory at Homestead-Miami to capture the Cup Series Championship, a stretch of 17 races. This is the longest winless streak for him since 2013/14 when he went 17 races before finally winning at Fontana in March 2014.
Odds to Win O’Reilly Auto Parts 500
| Driver | BetMGM | William Hill | BetOnline |
| Kevin Harvick | 3/1 | 5/1 | 7/2 |
| Denny Hamlin | 6/1 | 11/2 | 13/2 |
| Kyle Busch | 6/1 | 6/1 | 13/2 |
| Chase Elliott | 8/1 | 10/1 | 9/1 |
| Ryan Blaney | 9/1 | 11/1 | 9/1 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | 10/1 | 8/1 | 9/1 |
| Joey Logano | 11/1 | 11/1 | 10/1 |
| Brad Keselowski | 12/1 | 11/1 | 10/1 |
| Aric Almirola | 20/1 | 25/1 | 16/1 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 25/1 | 25/1 | 28/1 |
| Kurt Busch | 25/1 | 25/1 | 25/1 |
| Erik Jones | 25/1 | 40/1 | 28/1 |
| Alex Bowman | 28/1 | 30/1 | 33/1 |
| Matt DiBenedetto | 40/1 | 30/1 | 33/1 |
| William Byron | 40/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 |
| Matt Kenseth | 50/1 | 100/1 | 100/1 |
| Clint Bowyer | 65/1 | 60/1 | 50/1 |
| Christopher Bell | 65/1 | 100/1 | 80/1 |
| Tyler Reddick | 65/1 | 75/1 | 80/1 |
| Cole Custer | 80/1 | 100/1 | 100/1 |
| Austin Dillon | 100/1 | 100/1 | 100/1 |
Busch told reporters earlier this week that he would be lying if he said he hasn’t been obsessed with not winning.
“It’s on your mind that we don’t have that win and haven’t really been in contention to get that win a whole lot this year,” Busch said. “It’s just a matter of a lot of circumstances that it’s been the way it has been for us so far.â€
The streak hasn’t bothered oddsmakers. They have him at 6/1, to win the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, tied with teammate Denny Hamlin, and behind 3/1 favorite Kevin Harvick.
So who else might have a good day at Texas Motor Speedway? We take a look at some contenders and at some others who we don’t believe have much of a chance.
Drivers to Consider
Kevin Harvick (3/1)
Harvick has won at Texas Motor Speedway three times, but not the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. That could change on Sunday. Harvick is one of the hottest drivers in NASCAR right now, winning two of his last five races. His worst finish in that span was fourth in Kentucky.
Denny Hamlin (6/1)
Toyota has been dominant at Texas Motor Speedway, and Hamlin is their hottest driver by far. He is the defending champion and deserves a little love on Sunday.
Ryan Blaney (9/1)
Blaney might be worth a play considering his record at 1.5-mile tracks, and his strong performances at Texas Motor Speedway. In November he finished eighth, and in 2018 had a fifth and second.
Drivers to Avoid
Brad Keselowski (12/1)
Keselowski’s recent record at Texas Motor Speedway has been awful. He finished 12th in November 2018, but has finishes of 33rd, 36th, and 39th. Save the money and go with someone else.
Alex Bowman (28/1)
Bowman did finish fifth in November in Texas, but before that, he placed 18th and 28th at his last two appearances at the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. Besides, three of his last five races this season have been clunkers.