Qualifying should be very wild at Bristol Motor Speedway. There lies a lot of uncertainty as NASCAR goes through its third set up in as many dirt races on the short track. Kyle Busch wound up in victory lane last year, thanks to Chase Briscoe spinning Tyler Reddick just enough. However, the Fords surprised with Joey Logano in third and Ryan Blaney in fifth. Can we see a different podium for NASCAR Bristol Picks? Okay, let’s trade paint and dirt!
NASCAR and those Bristol numbers appear a little shorter than usual! Most forget there have only been two newer dirt races on this track. So, online sportsbooks like Bovada did their best under some difficult circumstances. Yes, several twists figure to change the dynamic of this race. It is time to look at this short track caked with dirt on Easter Sunday night.
| Food City Dirt Race |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | +500 | +550 | +500 |
| Christopher Bell | +700 | +750 | +650 |
| Tyler Reddick | +700 | +750 | +700 |
| Chase Briscoe | +900 | +1000 | +950 |
| Joey Logano | +1200 | +1200 | +1000 |
| Kyle Busch | +1200 | +1200 | +1000 |
| William Byron | +1200 | +1200 | +1100 |
| Ryan Blaney | +1400 | +1400 | +1300 |
| Denny Hamlin | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Daniel Suarez | +1800 | +1800 | +1800 |
| Alex Bowman | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | +2000 | +2000 | +2200 |
| Ross Chastain | +2500 | +2500 | +2200 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
NASCAR Bristol Picks manifests itself as a different animal on Easter Sunday. While the actual average speed is under 50 mph, the intensity on the track is through the roof. We have seen diametrically opposing results through two editions of the Food City Dirt Race. Last year, Kyle Busch stole a win after Tyler Reddick got spun sideways by Chase Briscoe. Hard moves sometimes flop on dirt as opposed to the pavement.
Correlation to other tracks exists nowhere because of the dirt and the weather forecast. If it is too dry, dirt can get into the engines and cause problems. Ask Ross Chastain how his engine blew last year. If it is too wet, racers cannot get a proper grip, which resembles an ice skating rink. The weather forecast now calls for raw weather and a chance of more showers on Sunday. There expects to be a good amount of moisture in the air.
Bristol Motor Speedway spans a mere 0.533 miles, creating many close-quarters racing. Not surprisingly, quite a few drivers end up in the walls or worse. Last year saw 14 cautions which took up 82 laps. That translates to almost a third of the race under caution. There was one red flag for 16 laps and only six lead changes among five drivers. Will the race have a few more leaders and more chaos?
VegasBetting attempts to sort through what figures to be a different kind of race yet again.
Now, the NASCAR Bristol picks wonder about Chevy. Again, that weather forecast worries about heavy moisture in the air with mostly light rain or sprinkles possible. Cooler air and dampness do pack the dirt. Will that change Chevy’s fortunes? Consider the manufacturer has won five of the seven races so far in 2023. Hendrick Motorsports spearheaded most of that early dominance, even without Chase Elliott.
Also, late downforce and grip have been a bastion for Chevy and Hendrick. William Byron, however, has carried the most consistent speed from their stable. Kyle Larson won last week mostly because Christopher Bell knocked out William Byron late. The question is can Ford or Toyota find a way to spoil another potential Chevy party on the holiday of the rabbit?
Now, this stage setup appears to aid Hendrick and Team Penske. It’s not guaranteed, but a 75-75-100 stage configuration is perfect for this long run if Larson, Byron, Bowman, or Berry can stay near the front. Last year, three of them finished in the top eight. Could they improve a bit on Sunday? It’s possible, given the weather and the new setup.
Experts are starting to zero in on as Kyle Larson is the favorite, and Byron is not too far off around +1200. Larson enjoys this type of short-track racing, but Byron’s speed is something to watch. Yet, could Josh Berry (+5000) change things up a little? Berry is a better top 10 bet at plus money, while Byron at +1200 is worth a tiny wager for Sunday.
Thanks to some Sunday Easter Bunny online betting site bonuses, wagerers can go in different directions on Sunday night. Yes, some different dynamics exist here for Bristol. Remember, Kyle Busch and Tyler Reddick changed teams. Busch drives a Chevy, and Reddick a Toyota now. While Busch has long some speed the past few races, Reddick has regained form and even blew away the field at Austin.
Again, dirt racing becomes a bit of a crapshoot. This is not superspeedway level, but so much unexpected can happen, like in 2022. The rationale lies in expecting more lead changes and maybe overtime. Can Busch at +1200 win this race again? Or does someone else finally figure out the course in the final moments? It is those last laps where Bristol looks to be decided.
The NASCAR Bristol picks lean toward a bit of a heel turn or two. Yes, Chase Briscoe contended, and Joey Logano has a first and third. However, a third incarnation carries more change to the equation. Even Christopher Bell is a bit predictable. Looking at racers like Ross Chastain or Brad Keselowski is not too much of a surprise. Chastain lies at +2200 and Keselowski at +3300. Both have been in the top ten, but our choice of dirt is Chastain.
NASCAR Bristol Picks for VegasBetting takes a hail melon with Ross Chastain Sunday night. Here are more optimal online betting sites to place more modest bets.
