Heading into the playoffs stretch of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, the boys will be taking their talents to Talladega for this weekend’s YellaWood 500 at the legendary racetrack. Coming off the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500, multiple drivers are jostling for first place in the standings, with points leader Joey Logano (3071 total points) leading the pack. Behind him is a slew of veterans including Kyle Larson (fourth place), Denny Hamlin (sixth), and Chase Elliott (seventh). With all four drivers still in the running in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, this race will have big implications on who will be the final driver left standing later this year.
In this article, SBS will go over the top three ranked racers going into the YellaWood 500 and also some other thoughts about NASCAR wagering.
| Favorites to Win The 2022 NASCAR YellaWood 500 race |  |
|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | +1200 |
| Denny Hamlin | +1200 |
| Chase Elliott | +1200 |
The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Larson has had a trying campaign in 2022 but still has an outside shot of a championship title this season. Since the start of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, the 30-year-old racer has notched three top-10 finishes in four races, including a fifth-place showing at Bristol earlier this month. For this season alone, Larson has two first-place finishes to his credit, including the title at the 2022 Go Bowling at the Glen race back in mid-August. With Larson being only 14 points away from points leader Logano, the veteran will definitely have his head on a swivel in Talladega.
Hamlin might be on the biggest hot streak of any racer on this list since the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs kicked off a couple of weeks ago. In his last four races, the 41-year-old has notched four top-10 finishes including two second-place performances at Darlington and Bristol. Indeed one of the most spectacular drivers on the circuit, “Denny Dynamite” is a mainstay on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs circuit with this being his 16th appearance in the competition since he turned pro. Hamlin has also won two races this season with his last victory coming at the end of May at the 2022 Coca-Cola 600.
The final racer spotlight on our list, Elliott is coming off a disappointing showing at the Texas Motor Speedway last weekend with a 32nd place finish. While the 26-year-old certainly turned in a performance he and his team would like to forget, he still has had a strong 2022 by being named the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champion. During the regular season, Elliott notched an amazing four wins which were the most of any driver during the regular season. Also, with a record-tying 19 different drivers having won a race this season, this makes Elliott’s feat more impressive given all the varied competition at the top.
Prediction: Picking the favorite to win this NASCAR race is a tough task, but given Elliott’s success during the regular season, he is due for a win in the Playoffs.
As you are wrapping up your background information on NASCAR and the latest races in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, make sure to check some other great resources SBS has available for you. For instance, the best first place to start is our NASCAR betting sites rundown which goes over all the latest betting markets related to the sport and the latest bonuses as well. Speaking of bonuses, the SBS best bonus betting sites guide is exactly what you need to get the most out of your wagers night in and night out. On a final note, if you are maybe trying to find the best options for your lifestyle, do not fear as SBS has you covered. Make sure to check out our payment methods overview which gives you a plethora of ways to make your deposits and withdrawals.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
Read Chris's ProfileAsk Chris about this guide:
