Bass Pro Shops Night Race Predictions, Odds & Picks (Cup Series)

• Kevin Harvick has to win to advance in the Playoffs. Can the Closer do it?
• With his future settled, Kyle Busch returns to his best race track.
• Chase Elliott needs to make a statement as Playoffs head to Round of 12.

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Bass Pro Shops Night Race Betting Odds

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Our Picks for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race

Chase Elliott to win the race at +750

Tyler Reddick to finish in the top three at +350

Kyle Busch to beat Kevin Harvick head-to-head at -115

Bass Pro Shops Night Race Predictions

It’s Win or Bust for Kevin Harvick Where Playoffs Are Concerned

The first two NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races couldn’t have gone worse for 2014 champion Kevin Harvick.

At Darlington, his car burst into flames, and Harvick had to make a hasty exit. At Kansas, his car snapped loose in traffic and slammed the outside wall, eliminating Harvick from the event in last place.

As a consequence, Harvick comes to Bristol Motor Speedway last in the Playoff standings and needing a victory to advance to the Round of 12.

The driver of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford has pulled off dramatic wins in the past. In his 2014 title season, Harvick won the penultimate race at Martinsville to advance to the Championship 4 event at Phoenix, then won again to secure the Cup.

Saturday night, however, won’t bring another 11th-hour victory. At +900 via DraftKings, Harvick is overvalued, his three wins at Bristol notwithstanding. So no bet here.

With Future Settled, Kyle Busch Will Race with Peace of Mind at Bristol

Unlike Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch is a mere two points out of the money entering the cutoff race at Bristol.

Bristol is arguably Busch’s best race track. He has eight victories there and twice swept all three national series events at Thunder Valley in the same weekend.

But Busch’s most potent weapon on Saturday could be his settled future. On Tuesday, Busch announced he has agreed to drive for Richard Childress Racing next year, ending a job-hunting process he acknowledged has been a painful distraction.

Does that mean Busch will win the Bass Pro Shops Night Race? We don’t think so, given the undue adversity he has faced this season.

But we do think Busch (+700) will post a solid finish and advance to the Round of 12 in the Playoffs.

Chase Elliott Needs to make a Statement in Round of 16 Cutoff Race

Though 2020 series champion Chase Elliott hasn’t clinched a spot in the Round of 12, he’s in a comfortable position entering the cutoff race at Bristol.

Because of the copious Playoff points he earned as regular-season champion—and as the series’ most prolific winner with four victories this year—Elliott likely will survive the Round of 16.

But his performance in the opening round has been anything but consistent. He backed into the wall at Darlington and finished last but recovered to run 11th at Kansas, though he clearly didn’t have race-winning speed.

This is the week Elliott not only will survive but will conquer. We expect him to win Saturday night’s race—something he needs to do to declare himself as a realistic contender for a second title.

The price of +750 is reasonable, and we advise taking it.

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