NASCAR Betting In Michigan

In a state with such a connection to the automobile industry, NASCAR is obviously a big deal in Michigan. Now, with sports betting in full swing in Michigan, residents and visitors can bet on their favorite drivers. NASCAR wagering is available both through online sports betting and at retail sportsbooks throughout the Great Lakes State.

Michigan NASCAR fandom (and probably betting) reaches its peak during the summer. Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn hosts the FireKeepers Casino 400 in August.

Read on for how you can get into the action with NASCAR betting in Michigan.

Top sportsbooks for betting NASCAR

How to bet on NASCAR online in Michigan

You can bet on NASCAR easily online by following these five simple steps:

• Download a Michigan online and mobile sports betting app, or find a Michigan online and mobile sportsbook website online.
• Sign up for an account with a legal online sportsbook through the app or web page using your name, email address, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
• Find the promo code specific to that sportsbook on this website and enter it to make sure you get the best new-player bonus.
• Deposit into your account using a credit or debit card, cash at various retail locations, online bank transfer, or third-party payment processor.
• Browse through the NASCAR betting online markets and start placing bets.

The NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR runs various auto racing series with different car and truck classes. Its NASCAR Cup Series is the top-tier circuit.

Normally, the NASCAR Cup Series — which started as the Grand National Series, became the Winston Cup Series in the 1970s, the Nextel Cup and Sprint Cup through the mid-2010s — includes 36 races over a 10-month season.

The top 16 drivers according to a points standings system compete for the championship over the final 10 races of the season. Four drivers are eliminated every three races, leaving only four drivers competing for the championship in the final race of the season.

In 2017, the series was named the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the final 10 races for the championship were called the Cup Championship Playoffs.

However, NASCAR has since dropped Monster Energy as the title sponsor.

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series

This year’s FireKeepers Casino 400 on Aug. 6 is the fourth-to-last regular-season race before the beginning of the Cup Championship Playoffs. Twenty-two races (not counting All-Star festivities) will have been in the books by the time drivers make their way to Brooklyn.

Last year’s Championship Playoff field included Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Kevin Harvick, Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, Chase Briscoe, Daniel Suárez, Austin Cindric, Alex Bowman, and Austin Dillon.

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16 includes the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, and the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 consists of the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, and the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of Eight includes the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

Plus, the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of Four, the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race or the Season Finale 500, is set for Nov. 6 at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR’s biggest races

Michigan sportsbooks will allow you to bet on all NASCAR races, including the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

However, there are certain NASCAR races that attract more attention, and therefore more betting action, than others.

This list includes the traditional NASCAR Grand Slam races:

• Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway
• GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
• Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
• Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
• Note: The entire NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway should also attract heavy action.

The NASCAR Cup Series Championship race will also be a significant day in NASCAR betting, because the majority of NASCAR futures bets will be settled.

NASCAR betting odds explained

NASCAR now offers more betting options than ever.

Here’s a detailed look at the types of bets you can make at Michigan sportsbooks on NASCAR Cup Series races and how NASCAR betting odds work.

• Outrights: Bet on a driver to win a certain race. Book the bet at currently posted moneyline odds. NASCAR outrights always offer positive odds because there are no odds-on favorites to win. The number indicates how much you stand to win for every $100 you bet.
• Pole position: Bet on who will post the fastest lap time in qualifying. Book the bet at currently posted moneyline odds.
• Driver matchups/groups: Bet on one driver against another or a group. Book the bet at currently posted moneyline odds. No need to pick winners here, just who will finish ahead in a head-to-head scenario.
• Podium/top-five finish: Bet on a driver to finish first, second, or third (podium), or in the top five. Payouts are smaller than outrights for obvious reasons.
• NASCAR futures: Bets surrounding the outcome of the entire NASCAR Cup Series season. Pick who you think will win the championship playoffs at odds that are adjusted for new bets throughout the season. Markets may also include points leader heading into the playoffs, drivers making the playoffs, and most wins in the season.
• Fastest lap time: A race-long prop bet on the driver you think will post the single-fastest lap in the race.

Other prop bets

In addition to fastest lap time, various other NASCAR race props include:

• Number of crashes
• Winning vehicle manufacturer
• Number of caution flags
• Number of cars finishing
• Driver leading the most laps
• Number of lead changes

How live betting works in NASCAR

The standard NASCAR betting options listed above are available through live or in-race wagering.

That means you can bet on NASCAR before or after the start of the race at odds that change with the action.

In fact, NASCAR and data partner BetGenius debuted a new live, in-race betting product for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The product offers dozens of new bet types and dynamic betting opportunities for every lap on race day.

What are the best spots to bet on NASCAR in Michigan?

NASCAR races can be that much better when you head out to catch the action, and the chance to place some bets at the latest odds is a huge bonus. Here are some spots that you’ll want to check out.

Greektown Casino-Hotel / The Sportsbook at Greektown

• Name: Barstool Sportsbook at Greektown Casino-Hotel
• Address: 55 E Lafayette St, Detroit, MI 48226
• Phone: (313) 223-2999
• Sportsbook hours: M-F: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. S/S: 9 a.m. – Midnight
• Online sportsbook: Barstool Sportsbook

The Barstool Sportsbook is on the upper’s casino level. There are five betting windows and dozens of self-serve kiosks throughout the property, which also sports a robust food menu.

Turtle Creek Casino / Onyx Sportsbook by Caesars

• Name: Onyx Sportsbook by Caesars
• Address: 7741 M-72, Williamsburg, MI 49690
• Phone: (231) 534-8870
• Sportsbook hours: M-Th: Noon – 12 a.m. Fr/Sa: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. Su: 10 a.m. – Midnight.
• Online sportsbook: Caesars Sportsbook

Onyx Sportsbook by Caesars has a number of different amenities for visitors to enjoy, including a full-service bar, complimentary games and an outdoor patio. When it’s time to place bets, there are betting windows and self-serve kiosks to take care of business.

Little River Casino Resort

• Name: River Rock Sportsbook & Grill
• Address: 2700 Orchard Hwy, Manistee, MI 49660
• Phone: (231) 398-3976
• Sportsbook hours: M-Th: 2 p.m. – Midnight. F/S/S: 10 a.m. – Midnight
• Bar hours: 7 days – 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
• Online sportsbook: BetRivers Michigan

Betting windows inside of a sports bar? Yes, please! You can also get your wagers in on a dozen betting terminals that are open 24 hours. Once your bets are in, enjoy the full menu and plenty of screens to catch the racing action.

For other places to check out the races while getting in a little wagering action, check out the FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, or the BetAmerica Sportsbook at Island Resort & Casino in Harris.

How does the NASCAR Cup Series work?

NASCAR Cup Series drivers accumulate wins and points for various other finishing positions throughout the first segment of races in a season.

The 16 drivers with the most wins make the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

Unless the points leader doesn’t have a win, that is. If that’s the case, the points leader and the 15 drivers with the most wins make the playoffs.

Plus, if there are less than 16 NASCAR Cup Series race winners, points leaders without wins claim any leftover playoff spots.

How do NASCAR drivers earn points?

NASCAR Cup Series races are split into stages, where drivers can earn points.

The first two stages make up a quarter of the laps each, while the third stage is the last half of a race. The exception here is the longer Coca-Cola 600, which is run in four stages.

Drivers earn points for being in the top 10 at the end of each of the first two stages, from 10 points for the leader down to a single point for 10th.

In the third and final stage of a race, drivers can earn 40 points for a win and 35 for second place. Points then drop by one until the 36th-40th place finishers earn just one.

How do the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs work?

The points are thrown out the window as the playoffs begin. The 16 qualifying drivers get 2,000 points to begin the playoffs, plus:

• One point for each previous stage won
• Five points for each previous race won
• 15 points for the leaderboard winner, dropping by one down to a single point for 10-16th

The first three races make up the Round of 16. Drivers accumulate points according to the regular series parameters through these races. The top 12 in the new standings move on. Three more races are held, and the top eight then advance. The top four after three more races advance to the final NASCAR Cup Series Championship race.

Drivers who miss the cut still continue to race for fifth place in the standings and beyond.

The championship race decides who owns the title of NASCAR Cup Series Champion and the order of the top four.

NASCAR betting tips

There’s no real secret to successful NASCAR betting. Like other sports, proper bankroll management and effective research leading to informed picks are key.

Use real-world data, bet with your head (not your heart), and try these NASCAR basic sports betting tips:

1. Start small and grow from there

There are a lot of ways you can bet on a NASCAR race, but that doesn’t mean you should break the bank betting every one for the maximum your first time out.

Instead, try just a limited number of small bets to gain some experience betting on NASCAR first. You can always branch out from there if and when you find success.

2. Do the research

Like all sports bets, you can turn NASCAR guesses into educated and informed bets by doing some research.

Find out which drivers perform best on which tracks and bet on history repeating itself, as it often does.

3. Spread it around

Spread your money around a little when you bet on NASCAR races. You’ll get decent odds on most driver outrights, so pick more than one. Most of the time, a series of bets on multiple drivers to win will still be profitable if one comes through, and you’ll be giving yourself a much greater chance of finding Victory Lane.