2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Picks and Predictions: Championship Value Bets and Sleepers

2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Picks and Predictions – Championship Value Bets and Sleepers: We are heading into an off weekend for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, but while the drivers and team gear up for the summer stretch, it is time to look ahead to the playoffs and check out some potential value bets and sleepers for the 2018 Cup Series championship.

NASCAR’s constant tweaks to the playoff format and point system have added more variability to the mix in recent years, and while Martin Truex Jr. capped a dominant season with a championship last year, it is no longer a guarantee that the best driver for the course of the year is going to walk away with the title.

One bad finish by a top driver or one surprise win by someone unexpected can completely alter the championship picture, but the closer we get to the start of the playoffs, the tighter the odds are going to become for the legitimate title contenders. The time to take a chance on a sleeper bet or two is now, so here is a closer look at some of my top options for the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series crown.

2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Picks and Predictions: Championship Value Bets and Sleepers

Value Bets 

Joey Logano (18/1) 

No, he hasn’t shown consistent, elite speed, but these are still juicy odds on one of the steadiest performers in the series. Logano has 12 top-10 finishes in the first 15 races, and more importantly, he also has a win that locks him into the playoffs. At the very least, Logano has a solid chance to work his way to the championship race on points because of his week-to-week consistency, and he has shown in the past he is capable of catching fire and reeling off wins. There is plenty of value here.

Ryan Blaney (22/1)

In many ways, Blaney has been the opposite of his teammate that I just touched on, Joey Logano. He hasn’t been able to get the finishes he deserves in a lot of the races this year, but he has shown tons of speed overall. In fact, Blaney has led the third-most laps of any driver, and he has been leading a lot of laps on all different types of tracks. If he ever puts it all together, Blaney could start piling up playoff points in a hurry, and he could advance his way through the postseason with a few wins, as well. I’d jump on these odds now because they won’t be nearly as friendly if he gets a win or two under his belt.

Clint Bowyer (35/1)

The absolute best value bet on the board right now is Bowyer. In fact, I can’t believe he is still available at 35/1. He already has two wins under his belt in 2018, giving him 10 playoff points that will count toward the postseason. He’s also been consistent, posting a 10.7 average finish through the first 15 races. Between his steady results and his playoff points, Bowyer is in a great spot to advance through the first couple of rounds of the postseason with ease. Meanwhile, one of his wins this year came in dominating fashion at Martinsville, a track we will visit again in the third round of the playoffs. Another win there could punch his ticket to the title race at Homestead. Bowyer is an absolute steal at these odds.

Sleeper Special

Erik Jones (50/1)

After a solid start to the year, Jones has hit a rough patch, but a lot of it has been bad luck and mechanical issues that are out of his control. He’s still been flashing top-10 speed on a routine basis, and perhaps most importantly, he tends to be at his best at the 1.5-mile ovals that make up a big chunk of the playoff schedule. It is also important to keep in mind that Jones is in just his second year in the Cup Series and his first with Joe Gibbs Racing. He is just scratching the surface off his potential and should only get better as the year goes on. His luck can’t get any worse than it has been in recent weeks, and I think his odds to win the title are only going to improve. Take a shot on him now while the payout is potentially huge.

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