Chase Elliott’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Odds Improve to +800 After Earning 52 Points in Kansas

• Chase Elliott has finished in the top 5 in each of his last three starts
• Elliott has led at least 35 laps in six of his last seven starts
• Kyle Busch has finished 10th or worse in three straight races

Chase Elliott has seen his NASCAR cup championship odds improve over the last few weeks. He’s dipped down to +800 after another strong showing, this time at Kansas. Is he a good bet to win it all right now or are there better bets on the board?

2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Championship Odds

*Odds taken 05/16/19

Elliott is on a Roll

It wasn’t just a good week for Elliott; he’s had a good month. He did pick up a healthy 52 points at Kansas last week after a fourth-place result but that was actually his third straight top 5 finish. He won at Talladega back on April 28th, finished fifth at Dover, and then had the fourth place at Kansas.

We know this guy can win at @kansasspeedway! @chaseelliott takes over the top spot in Stage 1! pic.twitter.com/xs97FKjqW9

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 12, 2019

What you have to like about Elliott is that he’s improved as the season has progressed. He didn’t lead a single lap through his first five races of the season; he’s led at least 35 laps in six of his last seven starts. That indicates that he’s flipped the switch and is racing really well right now.

Busch Has Cooled Off

One of the other reasons why Elliott is climbing the ladder is because Busch is coming down. After starting the season on a torrid pace, Busch has “slumped” in recent weeks – at least, by his standards.

Someone had a nutty idea for @KyleBusch’s new @mmschocolate #Camry! pic.twitter.com/wSBDIDVMeK

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) May 13, 2019

Busch had two wins and nine top 10’s in his first nine starts of the season. However, when you take a deeper dive, he had six top 6 finishes in his first six starts of the season but hasn’t finished better than 10th in the last three races. He was 10th at Talladega, 10th at Dover, and 30th at Kansas.

The question is which direction is he heading? Is this just a bit of a mid-season slump or is he actually tailing off?

A Lot of Top Contenders Slumping

One encouraging sign for Busch is that he’s not the only one who has tailed off. Brad Keselowski is coming off a win but has still finished 12th or worse in four of his last six starts. Kevin Harvick has two fourth-place results in his last five, but has finished 13th or worse in the other three starts. That has to give you pause if you’re betting any of those big boys to win it all.

Retweet to congratulate Brad Keselowski and the No. 2 team on their WIN in Kansas! pic.twitter.com/eEIsdLP9cK

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 12, 2019

Bet Logano

I would bet on Joey Logano at this point in the season. To date, he’s been the most consistent driver. He did finish 15th last week but even his bad outings aren’t that bad. His four worst showings are 23rd, 19th, 17th, and 15th. He has placed in the top 7 in four of his last five starts and seven of 11 races this season.

So @Tjmajors came up with a great idea for a hat giveaway. (We didn’t actually make him turn his shirt inside out, but at least he’s got some 22 Swag now). pic.twitter.com/zrO96ZHl60

— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) May 10, 2019

He only has the one win but he’s led laps in all but two starts and is as reliable and consistent as anyone out there. He’d be my bet.

Pick: Joey Logano (+700)