Kyle Larson capped off the 2025 NASCAR season by securing the championship title, while Denny Hamlin faced disappointment as he missed another opportunity to claim his first Cup victory. With the NASCAR Cup Series returning to the 10-race Chase format for 2026, the latest Denny Hamlin championship odds 2026 suggest a highly competitive season is ahead.
Anticipation for the 2026 Season Rising After Dramatic Finish
The 2025 NASCAR campaign ended with high emotions, as Kyle Larson emerged as the Cup Series champion, a result that brought excitement across the racing world. In contrast, Denny Hamlin’s ongoing quest for his first championship was met with frustration, as the seasoned driver watched another chance slip away. Looking ahead, the 2026 season features renewed energy thanks to a shift back to the 10-race Chase system, which is expected to influence both driver strategy and race outcomes in the months to come.
Interest in the new season is rapidly intensifying, and fans are examining how recent changes could impact the sport’s biggest names. The presence of notable competitors such as William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott adds further intrigue to the mix, promising a season with few guarantees and high drama.
Current Championship Betting Odds Signal a Tight Race
As of January 28, DraftKings Sportsbook released their odds for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. Leading the list, both Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson are each posted at +500, meaning a $10 wager on either driver would yield $60 in total returns if they secured the title. This close positioning reflects the expectations that both Hamlin and Larson will be strong contenders over the course of the season.
William Byron and Ryan Blaney are both set at +550, closely trailing the leaders. Christopher Bell is not far behind with odds of +650. Other high-profile drivers like Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe hold +850 odds, while Tyler Reddick stands at +1400, and emerging competitor Connor Zilisch is listed at +1600. Well-established racers such as Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, and Kyle Busch populate the odds list, reflecting deep competition among both experienced drivers and rising stars.
Further down, names like Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, and Ty Gibbs feature higher odds, with Brad Keselowski, Austin Cindric, and Ryan Preece positioned as longshots. Veteran drivers including Austin Dillon, John Hunter Nemechek, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, and others see their title chances listed at +13000 and above, leading up to extensive fields of outsiders with odds as high as +20000.
In-Depth Look at 2026 Title Odds
1. Denny Hamlin: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
2. Kyle Larson: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
3. William Byron: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
4. Ryan Blaney: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
5. Christopher Bell: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
6. Chase Elliott: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
7. Chase Briscoe: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
8. Tyler Reddick: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
9. Connor Zilisch: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
10. Joey Logano: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
11. Ross Chastain: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
12. Kyle Busch: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
13. Josh Berry: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
14. Chris Buescher: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
15. Carson Hocevar: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
16. Bubba Wallace: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
17. Alex Bowman: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
18. Ty Gibbs: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
19. Brad Keselowski: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
20. Austin Cindric: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
21. Ryan Preece: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
22. Austin Dillon: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
23. John Hunter Nemechek: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
24. Erik Jones: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
25. Daniel Suarez: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
26. Cole Custer: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
27. Cody Ware: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
28. AJ Allmendinger: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
29. Zane Smith: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
30. Ty Dillon: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
31. Todd Gilliland: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
32. Riley Herbst: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
33. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
34. Noah Gragson: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
35. Michael McDowell: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Projected Race Win Totals for Notable Drivers
Beyond overall title odds, DraftKings has also posted projections for how many races key competitors might win during the 2026 season. For example, Alex Bowman is favored to secure more than 0.5 wins, while odds suggest Bubba Wallace and Chris Buescher are also likely to win at least one race. Conversely, drivers such as Austin Dillon and Ryan Preece face steeper odds against clinching even a single victory.
Top title favorites, including Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson, are expected to have strong performances. Hamlin is set at -110 to achieve more than 3.5 wins, signaling bookmakers’ confidence in his ability to consistently contend throughout the season. Larson, the reigning champion, is at +135 to claim more than 4.5 victories in 2026, underscoring expectations for another successful year. Other notable drivers like William Byron, Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain, and Christopher Bell each have their own win total projections, reflecting subtle shifts in perceived momentum among the sport’s elite.
Veterans such as Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano feature in the projections with opportunities to exceed either a 0.5 or 2.5 win bar, while young drivers like Ty Gibbs and Carson Hocevar are given competitive but challenging targets by odds makers.
What the Odds Reveal About the Season Ahead
The release of early Denny Hamlin championship odds 2026 comes as the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for a new chapter under the 10-race Chase format. The combination of returning veterans, established stars, and emerging talents sets the stage for a highly unpredictable championship race. With Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson at the forefront, pressure mounts on top contenders while lesser-known drivers have the opportunity to deliver upsets as the season unfolds.
As the championship picture becomes clearer over time, attention will remain on favorites like Hamlin, Larson, and Byron. However, the shifting landscape of NASCAR means that underdogs like Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry, and Bubba Wallace could make impactful runs, altering the odds and competitive balance. Fans and analysts will closely follow developments from DraftKings Sportsbook, FOX Sports, and across the league, as teams finalize strategies and prepare for what is set to be another memorable season of NASCAR action.
