With the 2025 season just concluded, sportsbooks have already posted their NASCAR Cup Series championship odds for 2026, and several big names lead the field. Kyle Larson, the reigning champion, along with Denny Hamlin, are sitting atop the list of favorites as anticipation builds over potential changes to the championship format.
Favorites Head Into 2026 With Strong Odds
The newly released NASCAR Cup Series championship odds place familiar faces at the front. Kyle Larson, fresh off his second championship, and Denny Hamlin, runner-up in points, share top billing from BetMGM at +500. William Byron, another former Championship 4 competitor, and Christopher Bell are close behind, each bringing strong performances into the new season.
Chase Briscoe and Chase Elliott are also in the top tier, joined by an unexpected contender. Connor Zilisch, who excelled in the NASCAR Xfinity Series despite not winning the 2025 title, now has championship odds matching veterans like Briscoe and Elliott. Zilisch is considered more likely to win than drivers such as Joey Logano, a three-time Cup Series champion, and previous standout finalists Tyler Reddick and Ross Chastain.
Potential Changes Could Shift the Landscape
The betting odds reflect not only past achievements but also the uncertainty surrounding the 2026 championship format. Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President, has signaled that the 2025 season might be the last under the current one-race championship model. This uncertainty means the favorites could change, particularly if the new format favors different skills or strategies among the drivers.
2026 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Odds List
According to BetMGM, the current odds for the main contenders are:
1. Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin +500
2. Christopher Bell, William Byron, Ryan Blaney +600
3. Chase Elliott, Chase Briscoe, Connor Zilisch +1000
4. Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick +1600
5. Ross Chastain +2500
6. Bubba Wallace, Josh Berry, Carson Hocevar +3000
7. Ty Gibbs, Chris Buescher, Alex Bowman +4000
8. Austin Cindric, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Ryan Preece +5000
9. Shane van Gisbergen +20000
10. Noah Gragson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., AJ Allmendinger, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez, Cole Custer, Erik Jones, Michael McDowell, Todd Gilliland, John Hunter Nemechek, Ty Dillon, Zane Smith, Riley Herbst +25000
What Comes Next For Cup Series Contenders?
With several high-profile drivers such as Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Chase Elliott in contention, and new faces like Connor Zilisch shaking up expectations, the battle for the championship is already attracting attention. Any forthcoming announcements by NASCAR, particularly from Steve O’Donnell, about the structure of the 2026 season could further alter the championship odds. Fans and bettors alike will be watching as the new season approaches, ready to see how the competition unfolds and which drivers rise to the challenge.
