Whether you call it by its new name, the Big Machine Hand Sanitizer, or the preferred Brickyard 400, this is still one of NASCAR’s biggest races of season. Drivers constantly talk about their enthusiasm about coming to iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway to compete.
Though the date is different, and there will be no fans in the stands, drivers still look at Sunday’s contest as special.
Kurt Busch, who will be making his 700th Cup Series start, was happy that the milestone was occurring at IMS.
“It’s a big marquee race,†Busch said. “It’s our Brickyard 400. But unfortunately, we don’t have our race fans. That’s what I still think about first, each time we’re heading to the race track.â€
Odds to Win Brickyard 400
| Driver | William Hill | Circa | BetMGM |
| Kevin Harvick | +400 | +315 | +400 |
| Denny Hamlin | +400 | +555 | +500 |
| Kyle Busch | +450 | +596 | +500 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | +750 | +1800 | +1000 |
| Brad Keselowski | +900 | +805 | +800 |
| Joey Logano | +1200 | +1075 | +800 |
| Ryan Blaney | +1200 | +1075 | +1200 |
| Chase Elliott | +1500 | +1600 | +1200 |
| Erik Jones | +2200 | +2400 | +2500 |
| Kurt Busch | +2800 | +2500 | +3000 |
| Alex Bowman | +3000 | +3000 | +3500 |
| Aric Almirola | +3000 | +2400 | +3300 |
| William Byron | +3500 | +6000 | +2500 |
| Matt DiBenedetto | +4000 | +6000 | +6500 |
| Clint Bowyer | +4000 | +2000 | +2800 |
| Christopher Bell | +7500 | +8000 | +8000 |
| Tyler Reddick | +10000 | +11000 | +8000 |
| Ryan Newman | +10000 | +13500 | +8000 |
Busch is listed at +2800 to win at the Brickyard 400. He has never won this race. Kevin Harvick is the favorite at most sportsbooks. He is listed at +400 at both William Hill and BetMGM.
Who else might be a good bet for Sunday’s race? We take a look at some of the drivers who have a good chance to win, and others gamblers should probably stay away from.
Drivers to Consider at Brickyard 400
Denny Hamlin (+400)
The race package this Sunday is the same that was at last week’s Pocono races, and Hamlin had success at both. He finished second in the Saturday race, and then won the following day.
Hamlin is eight top-10 finishes in 14 career races at IMS, but he has never won there. That could change on Sunday.
Kevin Harvick (+400)
He has the most dominant record at the Brickyard 400 of all active drivers. He has won there twice, including last year. Harvick won last week at Pocono with the same race package. In fact, he has won two other times with the 550 horsepower.
Aric Almirola (+3000)
It is surprising the odds are this long on Almirola considering what he did last weekend. He finished third and fifth in the two races. That kept his streak alive of four top-finishes.
At +3000 those odds are too good to pass up.
Drivers to Avoid
Martin Truex Jr. (+750)
Historically this has not been a good race for Truex. His best finish there was fourth in 2015, his only top 5 in his career. He only has two other top 10s, and has just as many finishes outside the top 20 as he does in it.
Ryan Blaney (+1200)
Blaney’s problem is both his finishes, and experience. He has only been in this race five times. His best finish is seventh, which he got last year. Still there are better value picks to look at for Sunday’s race.
