The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of NASCAR’s crown jewels—and the longest race of the season at 600 miles. It demands endurance, pit strategy, and a finely tuned car for changing track conditions from day to night. Let’s break down the top contenders, dark horses, and best value bets ahead of Sunday night’s race.
Coca-Cola 600 Top Contenders
Kyle Larson (+300)
The favorite at Bovada.lv —and rightfully so. Larson dominated this race in 2021 and consistently runs well at Charlotte with Hendrick Motorsports. He leads the Cup Series in laps led on 1.5-mile tracks since 2021. The +300 line isn’t ideal from a value perspective, but if you’re looking for a high-floor, low-risk option, Larson is your guy.
Top-3 finish odds (if available): May offer better return for less risk.
William Byron (+750)
Byron has evolved into a serious threat on intermediates, winning at Las Vegas and Texas earlier this season. His speed at Charlotte last year was strong until late-race contact. Solid pick if you want to stay within the Hendrick camp but at better odds.
Ryan Blaney (+800) / Tyler Reddick (+800)
Blaney won the 2023 Coca-Cola 600 and thrives on high-speed tracks, while Reddick has shown tremendous pace recently and often thrives in longer races where tire strategy comes into play.
Best Value Bets
Christopher Bell (+900)
Bell has quietly become one of the most well-rounded drivers on the grid. With recent strong runs on intermediates and Joe Gibbs Racing’s consistent Charlotte package, Bell is a top-5 threat with winning upside.
Chase Elliott (+2000)
A former winner at Charlotte (oval + Roval combined), Elliott has shown signs of resurgence. If Hendrick is on point, Elliott could easily overperform his long odds. Great value for a former champ.
Brad Keselowski (+2000)
A savvy veteran and former Charlotte winner, Keselowski’s RFK team has made serious gains in 2025. He’s top 10 in driver rating on 1.5-milers this year. A win would surprise no one.
Coca-Cola 600 Longshots & Sleepers
Joey Logano (+2800)
Logano has underperformed on 1.5-milers lately, but you can’t count out the Penske horsepower or his playoff-level grit in a marquee event. At +2800, the upside justifies the risk.
Ross Chastain (+3000)
Aggressive, streaky, and capable of leading laps if Trackhouse nails the setup. High risk, high reward.
Kyle Busch (+3500)
One of the most surprising names this far down the board. While RCR has struggled on intermediates, Busch’s experience and tire management skill still give him a puncher’s chance.
Avoid at These Prices
AJ Allmendinger (+4000) – Road courses are his strength; intermediates are not.
Josh Berry (+4000) – Great in Xfinity here, but lacks consistent Cup speed.
Bubba Wallace (+4000) – Not enough closing speed on long runs lately.
Best Bets Summary
Pick Type Driver Odds Rationale
Safe Pick Kyle Larson +300 Elite on 1.5-mile tracks, proven here
Mid-Tier Value Christopher Bell +900 Consistent, top-tier team, great long-run speed
High-Value Chase Elliott +2000 Trending up, Hendrick power
Longshot Kyle Busch +3500 Veteran with race-winning pedigree
Fade AJ Allmendinger +4000 Poor record on intermediates
Coca-Cola 600 Final Thoughts
Charlotte’s 1.5-mile quad-oval produces classic battles of strategy and tire wear. As the sun sets and the track tightens up, look for savvy drivers with elite crew chiefs to shine. Kyle Larson is the favorite for good reason, but the value lies in betting on a hot hand like Bell or a resurgence from Elliott or Keselowski.
Top Recommended Bet: Christopher Bell (+900) – Best blend of form, team, and value.