Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
Giddy up, y’all!
On this week’s episode of Through the Gears, it’s time to see who can tackle the new configuration of Circuit of the Americas and take the first road course checkered flag of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Shane van Gisbergen is atop the sportsbooks as the favorite to win COTA with +550 odds on FanDuel, down from +600 at market open on Wednesday. With his dominance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race last season and his long career as in Aussie V8 Supercars, the books are giving plenty of respect for the Trackhouse Racing driver.
Alongside van Gisbergen is teammate Connor Zilisch at +800, making his series debut and with the return of Red Bull as a primary sponsor. Although there’s initial surprise that the 18-year-old is trending this high, he’s earned that respect through his impressive resume in sports cars and by way of his win in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen International. It’s tempting to take Zilisch, but I’m not sure I can see him outright beating his Kiwi teammate.
Zilisch is joined at +800 odds by 2023 winner Tyler Reddick. His last road course win came in that 2023 race, and Reddick finished fifth last year.
Some other threats to win include the one-two finishers of last year’s race. William Byron and Christopher Bell sit at +1,000 odds, odds that I will be taking on Sunday. Both drivers were fast last year, and I could definitely see that carrying over.
Digging deeper into the odds, 2024 Watkins Glen winner Chris Buescher comes in at +2,500 odds. Buescher feels like the best value going into the week, and, for now, seems like he has a great chance to win this weekend.
Other road course ringers who could perform this week include Kyle Larson at +1,200, 2021 winner Chase Elliott at +1,300, 2022 winner Ross Chastain at +1,500, AJ Allmendinger at +1,600, Alex Bowman at +2,000 and Michael McDowell at +3,700.
Listen to Through the Gears above or wherever you get your podcasts.
Wyatt Watson has followed NASCAR closely since 2007. He joined Frontstretchas a journalist in February 2023 after serving in the United States Navy for five years as an Electronic Technician Navigation working on submarines. Wyatt writes breaking NASCAR news and contributes to columns such as Friday Faceoff and 2-Headed Monster. Wyatt also contributes to Frontstretch's social media and serves as an at-track reporter, collecting exclusive content for Frontstretch.
Wyatt Watson can be found on Twitter @WyattGametime
I love to gamble but betting on any Nascar race is throwing your money away. Fools game.