Christopher Bell, the shining star of Joe Gibbs Racing, is on a winning spree with back-to-back victories in the NASCAR Cup races. As he sets his sights on a third consecutive victory at Phoenix Raceway, we delve into the odds for each driver in the upcoming Shriners Children’s 500. Bell’s recent triumphs have all but secured him a spot in the Playoffs, but it’s clear he’s not settling for less.
The upcoming weekend’s race will see drivers navigate 312 laps around the one-mile tri-oval of Phoenix Raceway. Bell, riding high on his current form, is predicted to be a firm favorite with a +500 odds, as stated by FanDuel. The weather is set to be inviting, with clear skies and a comfortable temperature of around 70°F.
However, Bell isn’t the only driver worth keeping an eye on. Ryan Blaney, with a +550 odds, looks promising due to Team Penske’s impressive form. The formidable trio from Hendrick Motorsports, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and William Byron, hold +850, +1000, and +1000 odds respectively.
FanDuel’s prediction model, which simulates races 10,000 times, accounts for track history and recent performances of the drivers. According to this model, Hendrick Motorsports is expected to have a strong season. Interestingly, many of FanDuel’s predictions have proven accurate, enhancing its credibility.
For instance, those who wagered on Chase Elliott’s victory in the Clash at Bowman Gray were rewarded with a +300 payout. Similarly, William Byron’s second consecutive Daytona 500 win fetched a +2000 longshot payout. Continuing the trend, Kyle Larson’s anticipated victory in the 2024 Las Vegas race was also accurately predicted, as were five of his wins in his title-winning season.
Stepping out of the Hendrick Motorsports spotlight, the model also accurately forecasted Denny Hamlin’s victories at Bristol and Richmond in 2024. To date, the model has accurately predicted 19 winners since 2021, of which nine were in 2023. Presently, the model has tipped Christopher Bell as a favorite to win the Shriners Children’s 500.
Another competitor to watch out for in the 2025 Shriners Children’s NASCAR Cup race is Ross Chastain. Though considered an underdog, Chastain’s adaptation to the Next-Gen Car and his track record of five wins and two playoff appearances in three seasons make him a contender. Notably, he clinched a victory in the 2023 series finale in Phoenix, although he was not in the title contention.
Despite favorable odds, Bell’s performance at Phoenix has been a mixed bag. Some speculate he may adopt a cautious approach in upcoming races given his assured Playoff berth. His recent victories, while impressive, saw him leading only nine laps, suggesting a degree of luck may have been involved. However, it can also be argued that he led the most crucial laps that secured his wins.
Bell’s Phoenix performance varies. Despite winning the spring race in 2024 and leading 132 laps in the finale, he finished fifth in the NASCAR Cup race. However, one cannot discount other drivers such as William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, all past race winners, who could potentially upset the odds at the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway. The ultimate outcome will depend on the weekend’s qualifying round and who manages to secure the pole position for the race.
