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It may seem like the 2022 NASCAR season just ended, but teams are already gearing up for green flag racing in 2023. The new season kicks off in only a handful of weeks once the Christmas and holiday season is over. The Clash at the Coliseum returns for a second year and is set for February 5th. Following that race are the Daytona Duel races and the Daytona 500 which is on Sunday, February 19th 2023.
That means it’s already time to look at what drivers have a chance to take home the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship title! Yes – odds are already available! This season is shaping up to be different as a total of eight former Cup Champions will race in 2023.
Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson and Martin Truex Jr. have all won the Cup Championship with Logano and Busch winning it twice. Logano captured his second title last season. It has been announced that Jimmie Johnson has taken an ownership role with the Petty GMS team and will drive some select races during the upcoming 2023 season.
Active NASCAR Cup Series Championship Winners
Joey Logano – 2022 and 2018
Kyle Busch – 2019 and 2015
Kyle Larson – 2021
Chase Elliott – 2020
Martin Truex Jr – 2017
Kevin Harvick – 2014
Brad Keselowski – 2012
Jimmie Johnson – 2016, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (Running limited schedule and won’t be eligible to win the championship).
I felt like I needed to include Jimmie Johnson on this list because of the news of his return to the Cup Series. However, NASCAR rules state that he would have to run more than a few races to be eligible for racing toward a Championship. Now, here are the current odds for the 2023 season.
2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Predictions
Chase Elliott +550
Chase Elliott is the early front-runner favorite to win the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. He came close last season to winning the title for a second time. He grabbed the crown for the first time in his career in 2020. He has been part of the playoffs each season that he has been a full-time Cup Series driver. Last season, he won five Cup Series races which were the most of any driver. He finished the season with 12 finishes of 5th or better and 20 runs inside the top ten.
Joey Logano +1200
Joey Logano still seems to be the driver that people tend to forget for some reason even after winning his second Cup Series Championship. Last season he finished 17 races inside the top ten with 11 races of 5th or better. That’s slightly less than Elliott overall, but Logano had a knack for getting a great finish at the right time. Plus, the Championship race was at Phoenix and that’s a track he’s good on. The Championship race is at Phoenix again in 2023.
Ross Chastain +1200
Ross Chastain pulled off one of the greatest racing moves at Martinsville toward the end of the 2022 season. That run against the outside wall helped propel him into the final Championship race as one of the four Title-eligible drivers. Chastain started the season hot but seemed to fade slightly during the middle portion. However, it was only a slight fade as he still had great finishes and won twice in 2022.
Others to Consider: There are some great drivers bunched together from +1200 to +1800. That’s where I’m looking for value. That includes Christopher Bell (+1200) who made it to the Championship race last season. If you’re looking for a true “longshot” driver then Alex Bowman (+3000) might be worth considering.
2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Betting Lines
Chase Elliott +550
Kyle Larson +600
Denny Hamlin +800
Ryan Blaney +1000
William Byron +1200
Ross Chastain +1200
Christopher Bell +1200
Martin Truex Jr. +1200
Kyle Busch +1200
Joey Logano +1200
Tyler Reddick +1500
Kevin Harvick +1800
Alex Bowman +3000
Chase Briscoe +4000
Bubba Wallace +4000
Ryan Preece +5000
Daniel Suarez +5000
Austin Cindric +5000
Brad Keselowski +6000
Ty Gibbs +10000
Noah Gragson +10000
Erik Jones +10000
Chris Buescher +10000
A.J. Allmendinger +10000
Justin Haley +25000
Aric Almirola +25000
Austin Dillon +25000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +50000
Michael McDowell +50000
Harrison Burton +50000
Todd Gilliland +100000
Ty Dillon +100000
Cody Ware +100000
Corey Lajoie +100000
B.J. McLeod +100000
Read our fantasy NASCAR guide next to prepare for the upcoming season.
