Harvick Favored To Repeat In Toyota 500

NASCAR became the latest sport to return to action this past Sunday, May 17, with drivers competing for 400 miles at Darlington Raceway in The Real Heroes 400. Kevin Harvick drove to victory lane for his first win of the season and he is favored to repeat in the Toyota 500 at the same track, “The Track Too Tough to Tame.”

Online sportsbook BetOnline has Harvick atop the oddsboard at +375 followed by Alex Bowman at +700, Brad Keselowski at +700, Denny Hamlin at +800, Kyle Busch at +800, Chase Elliott at +900, Martin Truex Jr. at +900, Erik Jones at +1500, Jimmie Johnson at +1500 and Kurt Busch at +1500 to round out the top 10 drivers.

Betting Pick | Top 3 Odds | Group Betting Odds | Head-to-Head Matchups

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Here’s a look at the full list of odds to win the Toyota 500:

Odds as of May 20 at BetOnline

Can Harvick Win Back to Back?

Kevin Harvick looks to become the first driver to win consecutive races at Darlington Raceway since Greg Biffle achieved the feat in 2005-06. Harvick looked dominant in the first running at “The Lady in Black,” leading 159 of the 293 laps and pulling away in the last 100 laps of the race.

This race may be the hardest to win again because of all the information the other teams gained from racing just three days prior. It makes sense to have Harvick as the favorite as he did just grab the checkered flag but he will be starting 20th and will have to battle to the front.

Toyota 500 Betting Pick: Bowman +700, Keselowski +700

I picked Keselowski to win on Sunday and he was second to Harvick in laps led at 80 and won the second stage. He was competitive for the majority of the race, running sixth or better for most of it, but his car trailed off after the final pit stop of the night. Brad is starting eighth on Wednesday and I anticipate him being competitive again.

Alex Bowman also had a terrific showing on Sunday, finishing second overall and second in stage 2. He led 41 laps and at times put the pressure on Harvick but was unable to get past him. Bowman is starting 19th, one spot in front of Harvick, on Wednesday night and his teammate Chase Elliott is two spots in front of him so there are drafting partners to help get him to the front.

Here’s a look at the betting props for the Toyota 500:

Toyota 500 Top 3 Odds

Odds as of May 20 at BetOnline

Toyota 500 Group Betting Odds

Odds as of May 20 at BetOnline

Toyota 500 Head-to-Head Matchups

Odds as of May 20 at BetOnline