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NASCAR odds, 65-1 long-shot pick for Talladega
Pictured: NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie. Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images.

My normal NASCAR betting strategy is to dabble with low-risk, high-reward long shots whenever the Cup Series visits superspeedways, like Sunday's YellaWood 500 (2 p.m. ET, NBC) at Talladega Superspeedway.

Let me be straight: I do not plan on having a large betting card for Sunday's race.

In fact, this will likely be among my least bet, in terms of units risked, races of the season.

I'm making just one bet for now, and while this is only a single wager, it's certainly a fun one.


A 65-1 NASCAR Long-Shot Pick for Talladega

*Odds as of Tuesday night

Corey LaJoie has historically overperformed at superspeedway races compared to non-drafting tracks.

In fact, LaJoie has just four top-five finishes since 2022, all of which came on superspeedways, including this race one year.

Furthermore, LaJoie swapped rides with Justin Haley before last weekend's race at Kansas.

This means that LaJoie now pilots the No. 51 Ford for Rick Ware Racing, the manufacturer that has dominated superspeedway racing this season.

The top five drivers in laps led across the five superspeedway races (two races at Daytona, two races at Atlanta and one at Talladega) in 2024 all drive for Ford: Austin Cindric, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, Todd Gilliland and Ryan Blaney.

In addition, Rick Ware's alliance with Roush Fenway Racing also means there could be equipment upside for LaJoie that he hasn't experienced in the past on this style of track.

I'm admittedly speculating on what the difference in equipment could mean for LaJoie, but his 65-1 odds (DraftKings) to win help ease any potential concerns.

The Pick: Corey LaJoie (+6500) to Win — DraftKings



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