Verizon 200 at The Brickyard Power Rankings and Picks

LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – JULY 17: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, exit pit road during the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17, 2022 in Loudon, New Hampshire. James Gilbert/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by James Gilbert / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Analyzing the field and key drivers to watch for in anticipation of Sunday’s race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, our NASCAR power rankings and predictions for the Verizon 200.

The recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono became a debacle for sports betting, as Denny Hamlin was disqualified for a post-race inspection failure, making him the first winning driver in over six decades to face this consequence. As a result, numerous sportsbooks had to reevaluate and reimburse various NASCAR bets based on their individual regulations.

Although it is doubtful that we will see a repeat of last week’s events this Sunday, the Verizon 200 at The Brickyard delivered an unforgettable race a year ago. The image of the curbing breaking apart and causing chaos on the track is still fresh in our minds. Despite NASCAR’s efforts to fix the corner, the race only resulted in more cars being damaged when it resumed.

At @IMS last year, the curbing in Turn 6 caused chaos for competitors during the @NASCAR Cup Series race. Now, Turn 6 features a permanent concrete curb with a raised level that tapers up and then tapers off towards the back. pic.twitter.com/nUpMP3rrAS
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 29, 2022

There are rumors that all curbing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course has been properly secured for the Cup Series’ second attempt at racing. However, the unique nature of a road race could lead to unexpected results. With just five races left before the NASCAR Playoffs begin, many drivers are eager to secure a race win and potentially clinch a playoff spot.

Explore our NASCAR betting predictions and power rankings for the 2022 Verizon 200 taking place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, with odds provided by DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars.

Verizon 200 at The Brickyard Race Odds

Verizon 200 at The Brickyard NASCAR Power Rankings

10. Michael McDowell (+3000 via DraftKings)

Normally, Michael McDowell would be ranked higher than 10th in our NASCAR power rankings for a road course race based on his recent finishes at Sonoma and Road America. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the performance of the No. 34 team after receiving a significant post-race penalty last weekend.

9. Chris Buescher (+3000 via DraftKings)

Chris Buescher has shown strong performance in road races this season, making Sunday’s Verizon 200 at The Brickyard a promising opportunity for him to secure a race win. With a second-place finish at Sonoma and a sixth-place finish at Road America in his last two road race events, Buescher’s average finish of 12.7 in the last 15 road-course races quietly places him seventh among active drivers.

8. Denny Hamlin (+2000 via DraftKings)

The big question heading into Sunday’s Verizon 200 is how Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 team will react to being the first NASCAR Cup Series race winner to be disqualified since 1960. When it comes to road course stats, Hamlin has an impressive record with an 11.5 average finish and seven top-5s in the last 15 races, making him one of the best in the business.

7. Chase Briscoe (+1600 via DraftKings)

In last year’s Verizon 200, Chase Briscoe, a rookie driver aiming to secure a playoff spot, took a risky move to win the race. Unfortunately, his aggressive driving led to retaliation from Denny Hamlin and he was unable to achieve the finish he had hoped for at his home track. This year, with a playoff spot already guaranteed and a history of success on road courses, Briscoe is a dark horse to keep an eye on this Sunday.

6. Martin Truex Jr. (+1800 via BetMGM)

In the past, Martin Truex Jr. was considered the dominant force on road courses in the NASCAR Cup Series. While he may not hold the top spot anymore, he remains a top contender in this style of racing. Truex’s average finish of 11.5 in the last 15 road races is tied for fourth-best among active drivers, and he ranks third in average driver rating over that same period.

5. Ryan Blaney (+1800 via BetMGM)

Ryan Blaney has finished sixth in two out of the three road course events this season with the Next Gen Car, and most recently placed 11th at Road America. Despite not winning in the last 15 road races, Blaney has the third-best average finish (10.8) among active drivers during that time. To secure a playoff spot, he will need a win. Keep an eye on the No. 12 team for a strong performance on Sunday.

4. Austin Cindric (+1600 via BetMGM)

Austin Cindric is a top NASCAR betting option this week, known for his exceptional road racing abilities. He has consistently performed well on road courses, with four top-10 finishes in six Cup Series races. In his rookie season, Cindric has finished eighth at COTA, fifth at Sonoma, and seventh at Road America.

3. Kyle Larson (+700 via BetMGM)

In last year’s Verizon 200 at The Brickyard, Kyle Larson dominated by leading the most laps. Although he started on the pole and won Stage 1 at Sonoma, Larson did not perform as well in the first two road races of this season. However, his third-place finish at Road America indicates that his overall performance on road courses is strong. In his last 13 road races, Larson has three wins, six top-5 finishes, and an average finish of 10.2, solidifying his reputation as a top contender on these tracks.

2. Ross Chastain (+750 via Caesars)

While his Trackhouse Racing teammate Daniel Suarez secured a victory at the NASCAR-ized road course in Sonoma, Ross Chastain triumphed at the challenging track of COTA. Additionally, Chastain also achieved a fourth-place finish at Road America, showcasing his skill on road courses even before joining Trackhouse. As a consistent performer throughout the season, one can anticipate another strong showing from the No. 1 team this week.

1. Chase Elliott (+450 via BetMGM)

Due to the disqualifications of Joe Gibbs Racing last week at Pocono, Chase Elliott was awarded his fourth win of the season. In the past five races, the current leader in the NASCAR Cup Series standings has achieved three wins and two second-place finishes. Elliott, also known as the “Road Course King,” has an impressive record of six wins, 11 top-5 finishes, and an average finish of 6.5 in the last 15 road races. With such a strong track record, the No. 9 car is a clear favorite to win the upcoming Verizon 200 at The Brickyard on Sunday.

Where to Bet on the Verizon 200 at The Brickyard

These are our highest-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel Underscoreg Caesars Underscoreg DraftKings Underscoreg PointsBet BetMGM

Don’t forget to explore UnderscoregReview.com’s community forums and betting tools for all picks, odds, and sports betting news.

Verizon 200 at The Brickyard selections were made on July 29, 2022 at 2:42 p.m. Eastern Time.

Written By:
Jenkins Miriam

Henry’s passion for sports dates all the way back to childhood and has ultimately led to a full-fledged career as an analyst and content creator. After getting his start penning fantasy football articles, he forrayed into the betting side of the business in early 2019. His love for sports and statistics proved to be an ideal match with the dedicated research and strategy that handicapping requires. Henry currently specializes in betting analysis and picks for college football, college basketball, and NASCAR. He counts NFL, WNBA, and NBA player props as additional leagues/markets of interest. Henry graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2021 with a Communication Studies degree and a Psychology minor. A native of the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, he and his pup, Harold, have since relocated to Laramie, Wyoming. Thanks to his professional goals within the sports betting industry, there has been a whole lot of steam on the odds for a move to Las Vegas in 2023! Most of Henry’s free time is spent on outdoor adventures, playing chess, snowboarding, or reading a good book. He is also a competitive powerlifter and aspires to qualify for the USAPL Nationals meet within the next 2-3 years.