NASCAR Food City 500 Odds, Predictions & Picks for Sunday

• NASCAR Food City 500 goes down this Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway
• Three-time winner Denny Hamlin is a top favorite in the NASCAR odds
• Below, see Food City 500 predictions, odds and longshot picks

The NASCAR Cup Series will head to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City 500 on Sunday, March 17, 2024. After three years of experimenting with a dirt surface, the iconic Tennessee track will return to its concrete roots under the lights, setting the stage for 500 laps of bumper-to-bumper action.

The NASCAR Food City 500 odds for Sunday favor three-time Bristol winner Denny Hamlin, plus Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell, while Kyle Busch is an intriguing longshot. We’ve made our predictions for Sunday’s event, including some longshot picks.

The table below displays the odds for the NASCAR Food City 500. Further below, find our picks and analysis.

NASCAR Food City 500 Odds

NASCAR odds as of March 17th at BetMGM Sportsbook. To bet on the Food City 500, register for the sportsbook using the BetMGM bonus code and navigate to the NASCAR section. Bettors in North Carolina can register at BetMGM North Carolina.

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How to Watch Food City 500

If you’re looking to catch all the action from the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, there are several ways to tune in. The race will be broadcast live on FOX, with coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 17.

For those without cable, streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial. You can also stream the race on DirecTV Stream and Sling TV. Hulu + Live TV will carry the race as well, but does not offer a free trial.

Next stop: Thunder Valley.

SUNDAY | 3:30 p.m. ET | FOX pic.twitter.com/GDf4hkwRmJ

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 13, 2024

If you prefer to watch on your mobile device, you can download the FOX Sports App and log in with your cable or streaming provider credentials to access the live broadcast

For those attending the race in person, Bristol Motor Speedway’s gates open at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, with pre-race festivities including a concert by The Breakfast Club and driver introductions starting at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Food City 500 Betting Favorites

According to the odds at BetMGM Sportsbook, there are three clear favorites to win Sunday’s race. Ryan Blaney (+450), Denny Hamlin (+500) and Christopher Bell (+500) are all shorter than 5/1 to win Food City 500. No other racer is better than 7/1 in the odds.

REPOST to congratulate Ryan Blaney!

He wins the pole for Bristol! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/CuXY4ykB9n

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 16, 2024

Although he is seeking his first Bristol win, Blaney is being given the best chance of winning the Food City 500 out of the top contenders. His strong track record at Bristol has undoubtedly played a role in his odds pricing. In 14 career Cup Series starts there, he has two top-5s and five top-10s.

Hamlin boasts an impressive three Bristol victories, while his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell dominated last year’s race, leading over 150 laps before ultimately settling for second place. At just 28 years old, Bell has already established himself as a perennial championship contender and one of the brightest young stars in the Cup Series.

Food City 500 Predictions & Longshot Picks

Longshots are often worth a sprinkle when making predictions for the Ford City 500. Bristol Motor Speedway’s surface has shifted from dirt to concrete this year, adding unpredictability. Furthermore, NASCAR has decided to use the intermediate track package at Bristol despite its classification as a short track, which introduces another variable.

Our best NASCAR Ford City 500 longshot pick is Kyle Busch at +2000 (a $10 bet wins $200). Busch leads all active drivers with eight wins on the concrete Bristol configuration. He also won the dirt race at Bristol in 2022. With his history at this track, his odds should be shorter.

Came up just a tad short. P2.@KyleBusch | @Group_1001 pic.twitter.com/A8FJ5l0UH4

— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) March 17, 2024

Other drivers to watch include Tyler Reddick (+1300), who impressed with a fifth-place run at Phoenix, and Chris Buescher (+1100), fresh off a breakout three-win season in 2023. Reddick’s inability to lead laps at Bristol is a problem, but his skill in running the high line makes him a top-value longshot.

Ultimately, we’re backing Bell as our winner pick, as he possesses the best average running position in previous Bristol races. His dirt track background paid off with a runner-up finish at the Bristol Dirt Race last year, and we predict he will get the job done this time.

NASCAR Food City 500 Predictions:

• Winner Pick: Christopher Bell (+500)
• Longshot Pick: Kyle Busch (+2000)