Ryan Blaney championship odds have surged as the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the Round of 8, following a dramatic race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. With Blaney now listed as the leading favorite for the 2025 championship, the betting landscape has shifted, drawing significant attention from fans and analysts ahead of the Las Vegas opener.
Van Gisbergen Shines in Charlotte, Podium Finishers React
At Charlotte Motor Speedway, Shane van Gisbergen made headlines by winning the Round of 12 finale, though he had been eliminated from the playoffs after the first round. On the podium, van Gisbergen expressed excitement over the intense late-race battles, particularly with Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell. In his own words,
“What an awesome race, Kyle (Larson) and Christopher (Bell) driving really good and got a little rough. But man, the battle was awesome.”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver.
Kyle Larson advanced to the next playoff round by finishing in second place, reflecting on the competitive nature of the race and spotlighting van Gisbergen’s performance:
“I’m happy with a second-place finish for this No. 5 Chevrolet team. Shane van Gisbergen is just so good. It was a fun battle with Christopher (Bell), too.”
— Kyle Larson, Driver.
Christopher Bell, who secured his place in the Round of 8 with a third-place finish, noted the challenge presented by their competitors, especially van Gisbergen, stating,
“What made the difference, I don’t know. It felt kind of like the rest of the road courses. We had a hell of a race for second between me and my Camry, (Chris) Buescher and (Kyle) Larson. It is that (Shane van Gisbergen) car was what 30 seconds ahead of us. Congratulations to Shane and that Trackhouse team. They have set the bar, and we are all clearly having a hard time getting up to it.”
— Christopher Bell, Driver.
Ryan Blaney Sets the Standard in Championship Betting
Looking ahead to the Round of 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney enters as the frontrunner for the 2025 Cup Series circuit championship, with betting odds at +425 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Blaney’s consistency throughout the season and his strong playoff performances have positioned him at the top, generating considerable enthusiasm among fans.
The Charlotte race further distinguished Shane van Gisbergen’s skill, as he became the first NASCAR driver to claim five road-course victories in a single season. The significance of this milestone was widely acknowledged in the racing community and served as a testament to both van Gisbergen’s capability and the competitive depth of the field.
Katherine Legge Returns to NASCAR, Setting a Milestone
Katherine Legge, who made history as the first woman to race in the Cup Series since Danica Patrick in 2018, has been named to the entry list for Las Vegas. At 45, Legge has already registered two top-20 finishes across six events in 2025 with the No. 78 Chevrolet. Apart from her Cup appearances, Legge has competed in six Xfinity Series races this year, reinforcing her versatile racing background.
Live Fast Motorsports owner BJ McLeod commended Legge’s impact, stating,
“We’re honored to have Katherine back with us,”
and further emphasizing,
“Her talent and professionalism bring tremendous value to the team, and her leadership as a trailblazer continues to inspire both inside and outside of racing.”
— BJ McLeod, Live Fast Motorsports Owner.
The news of Legge’s drive for Live Fast Motorsports this weekend at Las Vegas underscores her continued influence in the sport and highlights the efforts by both team and driver to broaden inclusivity and representation on the circuit.
Current NASCAR Cup Series Leaders and Odds
BetOnline Sportsbook has released the updated odds for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series drivers’ championship, reflecting the shifting momentum after Charlotte’s race. While Blaney has emerged as the favorite, the challenging playoff format and strong field, including drivers like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Shane van Gisbergen, ensure that the championship race remains highly competitive.
As the action moves to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, notable personalities including Ryan Blaney, Shane van Gisbergen, and Katherine Legge are set to play key roles in the coming weeks. The increased focus on Ryan Blaney championship odds fuels anticipation, hinting at an exciting run toward the 2025 Cup Series title.
Greatness on display.
With his victory Sunday, @shanevg97 became the first driver to win five road-course races in a single season. pic.twitter.com/iz3xv2rIgG
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 6, 2025
Drivers news: Katherine Legge ( @katherinelegge) will drive the number 78 for Live Fast Motorsports (@teamlivefast) in this weekends Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. #NASCAR #SouthPoint400 pic.twitter.com/NAQDTgISXh
— Alex Stricklin (@_AlexStricklin_) October 6, 2025
