Is it too early to think about the 2026 NASCAR Cup title? Yes, but that's not stopping sports bettors like BeT MGM. We still don't know if 2026 will feature a elimination-style format with an extended final round, a ten-season playoffs, or a return to a season-long points system.
Regardless of the final format, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin are likely early favorites, and BetMGM agrees. Both the newly crowned two-time Cup Series champion and the 2025 championship runner-up lead the way at +500 odds.
As for the other two Championship 4 drivers from this year, William Byron is at +600 while Chase Briscoe is at +1000.
The hype is real for 19-year-old phenom Connor Zilisch, who will embark on his first full-time season as a Cup driver in 2026, driving for Trackhouse Racing. He is way up the list of title favorites, which seems a bit ambitious. Zilisch is at +1000, equal with Briscoe and ahead of veteran teammate Ross Chastain, who sits at +2500
Joey Logano, who has more titles than any active full-time driver at three, slots in at +1600 at the writing of his story. The Penske driver seems to do well in even-numbered years, winning the title in 2018, 2022, and 2024, but we'll see if that trend continues.
Carson Hocevar is another driver of note, with the Spire star at +3000, surprisingly ahead of Hendrick's Alex Bowman, JGR's Ty Gibbs, and RFK Racing's Chris Buescher.
Former champions Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski are both at +5000, and being anywhere near a title would a be a huge improvement for either of these experienced drivers in 2026.
2025 Rookie of the Year Shane van Gisbergen is at +25000, equal with 13 other drivers who were given the lowest odds to win the Bill France Cup next season.
Below you can find the full list of odds for those looking to place a much-too-early wager:
2026 NASCAR Cup title odds
| Driver | Championship Odds |
| Kyle Larson | +500 |
| Denny Hamlin | +500 |
| Christoper Bell | +600 |
| William Byron | +600 |
| Ryan Blaney | +600 |
| Chase Elliott | +1000 |
| Chase Briscoe | +1000 |
| Connor Zilisch | +1000 |
| Joey Logano | +1600 |
| Tyler Reddick | +1600 |
| Ross Chastain | +2500 |
| Bubba Wallace | +3000 |
| Josh Berry | +3000 |
| Carson Hocevar | +3000 |
| Ty Gibbs | +4000 |
| Chris Buescher | +4000 |
| Alex Bowman | +4000 |
| Austin Cindric | +5000 |
| Brad Keselowski | +5000 |
| Kyle Busch | +5000 |
| Ryan Preece | +5000 |
| Shane van Gisbergen | +25000 |
| Austin Dillon | +25000 |
| Noah Gragson | +25000 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | +25000 |
| AJ Allmendinger | +25000 |
| Daniel Suarez | +25000 |
| Cole Custer | +25000 |
| Erik Jones | +25000 |
| Michael McDowell | +25000 |
| Todd Gilliland | +25000 |
| John Hunter Nemechek | +25000 |
| Ty Dillon | +25000 |
| Zane Smith | +25000 |
| Riley Herbst | +25000 |
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