Is it too soon to consider who might win the 2026 NASCAR Cup title? Perhaps, but that hasn’t stopped sportsbooks like BetMGM from offering odds. It’s still unclear whether the 2026 championship will feature an elimination format with a longer final round, a 10-season playoff, or a return to a season-long points system.
No matter the format, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin are early favorites, with BetMGM showing both at +500 odds. Among the other 2026 Championship 4 contenders, William Byron stands at +600, while Chase Briscoe is at +1000.
Excitement is growing around 19-year-old star Connor Girish, who will race his first full Cup season in 2026 for Trackhouse Racing. Though some may view it as ambitious, he matches Briscoe’s odds at +1000 and is favored over his veteran teammate Ross Chastain, who is at +2500.
Joey Logano, a multiple-time champion, is at +1600. Penske drivers have had strong success in even-numbered years, capturing titles in 2018, 2022, and 2024, but whether that trend continues remains to be seen.
Carson Josevar from Spire Racing, with odds at +3000, surprisingly ranks ahead of competitors like Hendrick’s Alex Bowman, Ty Gibbs of JGR, and RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher. Former champions Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski both stand at +5000, and reaching the title hunt in 2026 would be a significant achievement for either.
2025 Rookie of the Year Shane van Gisbergen faces steep odds at +25,000, equal to 13 other drivers considered long shots for next season’s Bill France Cup.
Below is the full list of early 2026 NASCAR Cup title odds for those interested in placing bets ahead of time.
Fan Take: This early look at the 2026 NASCAR title race stirs excitement and speculation among fans, highlighting emerging talents alongside established stars. How the championship format evolves and how these drivers perform could shape the future intensity and appeal of NASCAR’s premier series.
