As the series approaches its “bye-week”, the NASCAR season heads to Sonoma for the Toyota/Save-Mart 350. After a wild race at Gateway where Joey Logano pulled off a nice win in overtime, we hit the road in California. The Next-Gen cars make left and right-hand turns this week. One thing is for sure. The race for wins and points intensifies each week. These NASCARSonoma Best Bets will be captivating.
So, this is where we present the top 12 drivers listed below in our NASCAR Vegas online betting odds for the Toyota/Save-Mart 350. This reveals some enticing picks and maybe a long shot or two. It would appear that it’s an Elliott and Larson versus Allmendinger and maybe Chastain type of week. That is the lean anyway.
Chase Elliott is a very slight favorite for the NASCAR Sonoma race. However, he merits a look for one of our prime picks this week. Why? His number ranges from +550 to +600 and his range has a little value. Let’s be honest. With how well Hendrick Motorsports has tested on road courses and how Elliott contends at them (track record), there is ample reason here.
Also, Elliott will also look to bounce back after his first DNF at Gateway last week. He will want to go into the bye week with the points lead. That has dwindled to just nine over Kyle Busch. Even Ross Chastain is not too far away just 17 points back. It is not critical that Elliott goes into the break with the lead but he does have some concerns at Sonoma. Here is why?
Yes things have not been easy for the “Road King” at this track. In the last two races, Chase Elliott did finish second last year to Kyle Larson but had engine issues in 2019. Which Elliott do we see? That is the question. There is little doubt that the driver in the #9 car will be very motivated this weekend. He has six wins in his last 13 road races and ten top-five results.
The big thing at VegasBetting, we suggest is to take a look at the favorite here but keep in mind of the facts. There are some interesting trends on speed, the Next-Gen car, and drivers that can flat out drive a race car in crunch time. Can Elliott find the speed late in this race? If one believes that it will happen, then Bovada offers some decent numbers here that the No. 9 can get road win seven out of his last 14 on Sunday afternoon.
There are several reasons why Kyle Larson has a good shot at repeating his win from last year at Sonoma. This year adds a twist as the Carousel has been taken out of the home track. That decreases the lap length from 2.5 to 1.9 miles as takes a good chunk out of the course. So, what does this all mean?
So, the short chute will be intriguing because of what it adds and subtracts with the Next-Gen car. It makes Turn 7 more fan-friendly and allows for higher speeds as well. This will help drivers like Elliott, Larson, and others who are proficient on road courses. They can anticipate the speed shifts better and will allow racers to carry more momentum going into the rest of the lap.
Larson is one of those drivers who can adapt to any road course and has driven Sonoma hundreds and hundreds of time with or without the carousel. The No. 5 car might be able to get that one-shot deal to the much-coveted pole position. Larson can out-qualify Elliott even on this road course. This year figures to be fun. With all that said, the NASCAR Sonoma Best Bets say to consider Kyle Larson over Chase Elliott on Sunday.
Once more, A.J. Allmendinger manages to finish very well on road tracks. Thedriver, like we mentioned above, has a way of finishing well on tracks. If anyone remembers COTA, he nearly won that race as he rubbed a little then got rubbed out by Ross Chastain on the last lap. There is little doubt Allmendinger will be very much in contention.
Allmendinger comes in at +900 and his range is around +800 to +1000. See if his value fluctuates a bit around practice and qualifying. His car is fast. Maybe, those eight road course wins mean something this weekend at Sonoma.
A.J. Allmendinger will be worth a look at Sonoma on Sunday.
A.J. AllmendingerTo win the NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350
Ross Chastain could be wager worthy at Sonoma especially after that road win earlier this year. Also, Martin Truex Jr. could be a name to look at too. Truex was the last one to win with the chute layout. The only question is the Next-Gen car with him.
Lastly, do not discount drivers like Christopher Bell and even Chase Briscoe. Briscoe could win the race also and Bell could surprise many to take the pole and contend on race day. Look at those numbers this weekend too.
Our Bet For This NASCAR Sonoma Race
Take Larson to surprise Elliott at Sonoma, with Kyle Busch, Allmendinger, and Chastain in the top five as well.
Chris Wassel is someone who has covered a little bit of everything: business, writing, sports, food, grilling, the Olympics, injuries, politics, and more. He has climbed mountains like Mount Washington and Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California, and for those who don’t know, he is also big into food challenges. With friends like Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has tackled eating feats like finishing a 16-pound turkey or a 32-inch meat lover's pizza.
Since 2013, he has focused on fitness, fishing, and sports while managing to fit in running, hiking, rock climbing, and even the occasional mini-triathlon. He can lift more than his body weight with ease and is the person you turn to when you want to know if a NASCAR rain delay means a Monday race.
Over his career, Chris has worked at places like Amazon, USA Today, and various rumors and fantasy sports sites. He has been nominated for awards such as the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hockey Writer of the Year and has a collection of high-stakes fantasy trophies and rings on display at home. With all this, Chris sums it up best with his motto: "Shut up and play."