The NASCAR Cup Series makes history this weekend with the running of the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, known as COTA, in Austin Texas. The road course track will host its first-ever NASCAR weekend. The venue has also been added to the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series.

Since there are not any stats from previous races at COTA to pull from it seems the best way to look at the odds this week is to rely on two main factors. First, who does well road course racing? Secondly, who’s driving strong this season?

Sports Betting Sites Rankings

That criteria puts Chase Elliott at the top of the favorites list at +220! Elliott has been the strongest road course driver over the last several years and he’s the defending Cup Series Champion. He’s followed by Martin Truex Jr at +450. Among active drivers, Elliott and Truex combined have eight of the last ten road course races.

One good note for drivers this weekend is that NASCAR is allowing for practice so they won’t hit a course with 20 turns that they’ve never been on before. Qualifying is also making a return for the COTA race weekend. Here are the favorite drivers through +1400 to win the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix outright according to Intertops.

Chase Elliott +220

Martin Truex Jr +450

Denny Hamlin +900

Kyle Busch +1200

Ryan Blaney +1400

Kyle Larson +1400

NASCAR Betting Beginners Guide

2021 EchoPark Texas Grand Prix Preview

Date: Saturday, May 22, 2021, 1:00 pm EST

Track: Circuit of the Americas

Type: Road, asphalt, 3.426 miles, 20 turns.

Race Distance: 68 laps

Defending Track Winner: NA

TV/Radio: FS1 / MRN

2021 EchoPark Texas Grand Prix Predictions

Martin Truex Jr +450

NASCAR Fantasy Beginners Guide

Martin Truex Jr has won three times this season with two of them being on short tracks. That could pay off on a new road course as drafting and high-speed will not be the dominating factor. Brakes and cornering are what crew chiefs will be working on all day. He’s also won three of the last ten road course races.

Ryan Blaney +1400

Ryan Blaney has not had the season he was hoping for but he does have a road course win on his Cup Series resume. And, Penske seems to be able to set up their cars for just about any situation. His last ten road course runs have also included four top-five and six top-ten finishes.

Kevin Harvick +1800

Kevin Harvick has yet to chalk up a win this season but he’s been running with the front group all year long. He’s not won any of the last ten road course races but according to NASCAR stats, he’s the fifth- best driver when racing both left and right turns. He has won at both Sonoma and Watkins Glen.

Others to Consider: I’m on the fence with Chase Elliott (+220) as he’s been a bit inconsistent this season with finishes ranging from a second-place run to finishing 38th with a blown engine. But he is the current road-course ace. Also, don’t be surprised if Denny Hamlin (+900) grabs his first win of the season.

NASCAR Statistics to Help Handicappers Win

2021 EchoPark Texas Grand Prix Odds

Chase Elliott +220

Martin Truex Jr +450

Denny Hamlin +900

Kyle Busch +1200

Ryan Blaney +1400

Kyle Larson +1400

William Byron +1800

Kevin Harvick +1800

Joey Logano +1800

Christopher Bell +1800

Alex Bowman +2000

Brad Keselowski +2000

Austin Cindric +2000

AJ Allmendinger +2000

Kurt Busch +2800

Matt Dibenedetto +6600

Michael McDowell +6600

Chase Briscoe +8000

Chris Buescher +8000

Cole Custer +8000

Erik Jones +8000

Aric Almirola +10000

Tyler Reddick +10000

Daniel Suarez +10000

Ryan Newman +12500

Austin Dillon +15000

Ryan Preece +20000

Ricky Stenhouse Jr +20000

Ross Chastain +25000

Darrell Wallace Jr. +25000

Ty Dillon +30000

Justin Haley +50000

Anthony Alfredo +75000

James Davison +75000

Corey Lajoie +100000

Kyle Tilley +100000

Cody Ware +100000

Josh Bilicki +150000

Quinn Houff +150000

Garrett Smithley +200000

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