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Fox Sports
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Daytona, Talladega top list of motorsports' 10 most iconic tracks
The unofficial start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season begins this weekend with the Clash at Bowman Gray on FOX. So, to celebrate the thrilling 38 weeks of racing right around the turn, we're taking a look at 10 of the most iconic motorsports tracks. Let's dive into it. 10. Watkins Glen International Unlike most tracks, "The Glen" is located in Upstate New York. It's one of only a handful of road-course races on the 2025 schedule. Formula One has raced at this track, and it is also home to the grueling endurance race known as "Sahlen's Six Hours at The Glen." Xfinity Series, Formula 500 and many other professional racing series have run here, as well. In 2024, "The Glen" hosted a NASCAR Cup Series playoff race for the very first time. 9. Richmond International Raceway Richmond International Raceway is a part of a 900-acre complex located in Henrico County, Virginia. Lee Petty won the first NASCAR Cup race here in 1953 (then called the Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds). Except for the COVID season, Richmond has hosted two races every season since 1959. Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon won the two races last year. 8. Phoenix International Raceway This one-mile track was built in 1964 and Cale Yarborough won the first NASCAR race here — a Winston West Series event. The first Cup race, however, ran here in 1988. And in that race, Alan Kulwicki got into victory lane in his Ford, with the first ever "Polish Victory Lap." Since 2020, this track has hosted Championship Weekend, and since 2015, the track has been equipped with SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier, a crash-absorbing barrier that helps alleviate the impact of driver injuries. 7. Darlington Raceway Known as the "Track Too Tough to Tame" or "The Lady in Black," this egg-shaped oval has been hosting NASCAR races since 1950. As one of the oldest tracks on the circuit, Darlington is home to the Southern 500 — one of the most challenging races on the NASCAR schedule. Hendrick Motorsports has more team wins at this track than any other organization. 6. Sonoma Raceway This beauty is tucked into the hills of Northern California, which means some people make the trek for the wine, while others do it for the racing. Luckily, there's no shortage of either in Sonoma. This year, the raceway will host its 35th NASCAR Cup Series competition on the sprawling, 1.99-mile road course, but this track is not exclusive to the Cup Series. The site has 70 motorsports-related businesses that operate virtually year round, in addition to hosting other races like the NHRA Sonoma National and the Indy Grand Prix. 5. Bristol Motor Speedway Some call it "The Last Great Colosseum" — a nod to its steep grandstand. Others call it "The World's Fastest Half-Mile" — a nod to the track's steep banking and high speeds. It's located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee, and Dale Earnhardt got his very first Cup win here at the Southeastern 500 in 1979. Sixteen years after that first win, Dale was tangled up in the memorable 1995 Earnhardt-Labonte 1. Kyle Larson, who won a series-high six races in 2024, is the reigning champ of Bristol's Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Bristol is one of several short tracks on the circuit. 4. Bowman Gray In 2010, Bowman Gray was thrust back into the zeitgeist with "MadHouse," an unscripted series that followed modified race car drivers over the course of a season as they competed at Bowman Gray. But the stadium is no stranger to the spotlight; the quarter-mile track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is famous for being the smallest to host a NASCAR race. However, NASCAR hasn't run here since 1971. That all changes on Sunday when drivers start their engines for the Cook Out Clash on FOX. Speaking of IndyCar races, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is also a sight to behold. It's the home of the Indy500, known as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." And the track itself has its own nickname, as folks often refer to the speedway as "The Brickyard." Fans also look forward to seeing some of their favorite drivers crossing over between NASCAR and IndyCar, like Kyle Larson famously did in 2024 and plans to again in 2025. 2. Talladega Superspeedway Whether from Will Ferrell's "Talladega Nights" or from "The Greatest Talladega Race Ever," almost every sports fan has some point of reference when it comes to Talladega. This superspeedway is nestled away in Alabama and is also the home of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Current NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano is tied for the eighth-most wins at this track. Shake and bake! 1. Daytona International Speedway This tri-oval is arguably one of the most recognizable tracks — and not just in motorsports. From music to movies, Daytona's fame is woven into popular culture, perhaps more than any other motorsports venue. And that's especially fitting since Daytona Beach is the birthplace of the sport. When it comes to this legendary venue, drivers like Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon and Bobby Allison are synonymous with the track. "The King" might be the notable name on that list, though, as his seven victories in the 500 are the most in NASCAR history. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Fox Sports
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship odds: Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell favored
As drivers prepare to start their engines for the Clash at Bowman Gray on FOX, bettors are gearing up to place their wagers on another exciting 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. In addition to Daytona 500 odds, bookmakers have released Cup Series Championship futures. Let's dive into the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Jan. 29. NASCAR Cup Series Championship 2025 Kyle Larson : +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total) Christopher Bell : +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total) William Byron : +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total) Ryan Blaney : +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total) Denny Hamlin : +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total) Joey Logano : +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total) Tyler Reddick : +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total) Chase Elliott : +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total) Chase Briscoe : +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total) Kyle Busch : +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total) Ty Gibbs : +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total) Brad Keselowski : +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total) Ross Chastain : +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Alex Bowman : +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total) Chris Buescher : +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total) Shane Van Gisbergen : +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total) Bubba Wallace : +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total) Austin Cindric : +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total) Daniel Suarez : +12000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total) Carson Hocevar : +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total) Noah Gragson : +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total) Austin Dillon : +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total) Michael McDowell : +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total) Josh Berry: +17000 (bet $10 to win $1,710 total) Zane Smith: +17000 (bet $10 to win $1,710 total) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. : +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) Erik Jones : +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) AJ Allmendinger : +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) Todd Gilliland : +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total) Justin Haley : +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total) Cole Custer: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total) John Hunter Nemechek : +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total) Ty Dillon : +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total) 2025 Season Total Race Wins AJ AllmendingerOver 0.5: +110 Under 0.5: -140 Carson HocevarOver 0.5: +135 Under 0.5: -175 Chase ElliottOver 1.5: -135 Under 1.5: -105 Christopher BellOver 3.5: -110 Under 3.5: -125 Denny HamlinOver 3.5: +110 Under 3.5: -125 Kyle BuschOver 1.5: +110 Under 1.5: -140 Kyle LarsonOver 5.5: +100 Under 5.5: -135 Michael McDowellOver 0.5: +120 Under 0.5: -155 Ryan BlaneyOver 2.5: -175 Under 2.5: +135 Shane Van GisbergenOver 1.5: -160 Under 1.5: +125 Ty GibbsOver 0.5: -140 Under 0.5: +110 Tyler ReddickOver 3.5: +125 Under 3.5: -165 William ByronOver 3.5: -115 Under 3.5: -115 Check out the preseason expert insight from FOX Sports motorsports insider Bob Pockrass, as of Jan. 29. Championship Predictions: The best bets to win the 2025 Cup Series title? If experience and history mean anything, Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney will be the drivers to beat when it comes down to the finale at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney won the title in 2023 and arguably had the fastest car in the 2024 championship race but got mired in a little bit of traffic on a late restart and couldn't rally enough to beat teammate Joey Logano. Team Penske has won three consecutive titles (Logano in 2022 and 2024 and Blaney in 2023) and appears to have found an edge in making speed at Phoenix. Also, with it possibly the last year for the championship to be in Phoenix, Blaney will be looking to capitalize at a track where he seemingly is one to beat. Larson won the 2021 title and earned a series-high six victories in 2024. He didn't make the championship round last year but like Blaney, is a driver who consistently finds a little more speed. He admits that Penske has the advantage with the finale at Phoenix, but Hendrick Motorsports still has the entire season to make gains on its short-track program. And a potential softer tire for the championship race potentially could cut into the gap between Penske and the rest of the field. Race Win Total Predictions: Busch came inches away from winning two races last year. Getting those inches back seems so close and yet so far away. He could just as easily win three races as he could no races. In his first full season, van Gisbergen will win a Cup race on a road course. He should win two, but the rigors of a 38-race schedule and the precision needed from not just him but his team could keep him from having multiple wins in 2025. Gibbs has been on the brink of victory several times in his first three years. More likely than not, he will get that first Cup triumph this season. Reddick is hitting his prime as a Cup driver. But he's never had more than three victories in one season and while three again seems attainable, a fourth is iffy. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
