Motorsports
Betting
NASCAR is the dominant motorsport for US bettors, with the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 drawing the most action. Formula 1 has grown substantially in the US since the launch of the Drive to Survive Netflix series and the Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas Grand Prix races.
Motorsports Leagues in the US
Explore betting guides for each major motorsports league available at US sportsbooks.
NASCAR
National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
NASCAR is the most popular motorsport in the United States for betting. The Cup Series runs from February through November and includes iconic races like the Da...
Formula 1
Formula 1 World Championship
Formula 1 has exploded in popularity in the US since the launch of Drive to Survive on Netflix in 2019. F1 now hosts three Grand Prix races in the US each seaso...
How to Bet on Motorsports
The main motorsports markets you'll find at any legal US sportsbook, with a one-line take on each.
Outright Race Winner
Pick the race winner. NASCAR fields are 36-40 cars; F1 fields are 20. Outright odds range from +400 (top-tier on a favorable track) to +10000+ on longshots.
Top 3 / Top 5 / Top 10
Place bets. Most popular on NASCAR superspeedways (Daytona, Talladega) where pack racing creates volatile finishes. F1 podium markets pay tighter because the front-runners are more predictable.
Head-to-Head Matchups
Two drivers, pick which finishes higher. Lower variance than outright. NASCAR books post 6-12 H2H matchups per race; F1 books post intra-team and inter-team matchups.
Pole Position
Saturday qualifying winner. Separate market from race winner. Useful when you trust a driver in qualifying conditions but not race conditions.
Stage Winner
NASCAR races are split into 3 stages with championship points awarded at each. Each stage winner is a separate bet, usually priced shorter than overall race winner.
Championship Futures
NASCAR Cup Series and F1 Drivers Championship futures. F1 has been a runaway market for Max Verstappen recent years; NASCAR's 16-driver playoff format keeps the championship market open later.
Motorsports Season Calendar
- Feb: Daytona 500 (NASCAR season opener)
- Mar: F1 season opener (Bahrain or Australia)
- May: F1 Miami GP, NASCAR Coca-Cola 600
- Jun–Aug: Mid-season for both series
- Sep–Nov: NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (10 races, 16 drivers)
- Oct: F1 Austin GP
- Nov: NASCAR Championship 4 (Phoenix), F1 Las Vegas GP
- Dec: F1 Abu Dhabi GP (season finale)
Most-Bet Motorsports Markets
The markets that drive the bulk of motorsports handle at US books.
- Outright race winner
- Top 3 / Top 5 / Top 10
- Head-to-head matchups
- Pole position
- NASCAR stage winner
- Drivers Championship futures
Motorsports Betting FAQ
What's the difference between NASCAR and F1 for betting?
NASCAR has 36-40 cars per race, with restrictor-plate tracks (Daytona, Talladega) creating massive variance and longshot wins. F1 has 20 cars and tighter top-of-board pricing because the front-runners are more predictable.
When is the Daytona 500?
Mid-February, the season's first NASCAR points race. The biggest motorsports betting event of the year by handle. Outright odds run +800 to +2000 on contenders due to pack-racing variance at Daytona.
Why has F1 betting grown so much in the US?
The Netflix series Drive to Survive (launched 2019) is widely credited. F1 race-day handle at US books has tripled since the show debuted, especially for the three US races: Miami (May), Austin (October), Las Vegas (November).
What's the best motorsports bet for beginners?
Head-to-head driver matchups. You pick between two drivers without needing to predict the entire field. Books post 6-12 matchups per race, typically priced -130 to +110.