NASCAR Verizon 200 at the Brickyard betting odds and value picks

Another week, another new road course.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the familiar confines of Indianapolis Motor Speedway this Sunday, but the traditional 2.5-mile oval has been eschewed for the 14-turn, 2.439-mile Grand Prix road course in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (1:00 p.m. ET, NBC).

Chase Elliott has been established as the +200 favorite due to his road course prowess, but that’s a short price to take, especially before qualifying (which begins at 8:00 a.m. ET on raceday). Second choice Kyle Larson sits at a less-than-appealing +325, with the rest of the field priced at +800 or higher.

Let’s look for some live longshots as we make our selections for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard.

Martin Truex Jr. (+800)

Martin Truex picked up his second Top 5 in his last three road races when he crossed the finish line in third place (with 34 laps led) at Watkins Glen last Sunday. It’s not unreasonable to think he can improve just another couple of spots in Indianapolis.

Truex already owns three victories in 2021, albeit he hasn’t taken the checkered flag since the May 9 race at Darlington. But he appears to be rounding back into form with two Top 5s in his last three races overall.

Denny Hamlin (+1400)

Denny Hamlin ran his road course losing streak to 13 races when he checked in fifth in Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen, but he was once again right in the thick of things. He feels long overdue for a breakthrough performance in a road race.

Hamlin is third among active drivers in average finishing position (8.77) over the last 13 Cup Series races contested at road courses, trailing only Elliott (6.08) and Truex (7.62). Don’t be surprised if he scores in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at a nice price.

Tyler Reddick (+5000)

Those looking for a big underdog this Sunday could do worse than Tyler Reddick, who is trying to claw his way into the postseason.

The No. 8 Chevrolet driver has three Top 10s in his last four road races, and actually led five of 62 laps at Circuit of the Americas on July 4. See how he qualifies for a clue, and perhaps sprinkle something on him at +500 for a Top 5 result.