2024 Shriners Children's 500 betting odds, prediction, picks

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09 March 2024

2024 Shriners Children's 500 betting odds, prediction, picks

The NASCAR west coast swing continues this weekend with the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway, a 1-mile track that tends to be dominated by the top Cup Series drivers.

While it’s possible for a young driver to break through at Phoenix for their first career win like Chase Briscoe did in 2022, the reality is that proven veterans like Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin tend to win since the track usually rewards drivers who run up front throughout the day.

None of the three drivers mentioned above are among my best bets though, as I see a first-time Phoenix winner happening along with a few surprise finishers in the top five and top 10.

SHRINERS CHILDREN’S 500 BEST BETS

Best bets to finish top 10- Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford (+105 at Caesars) Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford (+320 at FanDuel)

Phoenix has been one of Briscoe’s best tracks, as he’s gotten other solid results besides the win he scored here in 2022. Briscoe ran close to the top 10 much of last week, so I see him finishing their this week since he seems to have the most consistent speed for Stewart-Haas Racing.

Briscoe’s teammate Berry has gotten off to a slow start in his first full-time Cup Series season, but Phoenix could be just what the doctor ordered for the rookie considering he tends to run well at shorter ovals and recorded a top 10 in this race last season while filling in for Chase Elliott.

Best bet to finish top five- Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (+170 at BetMGM; Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (+250 at BetMGM)

Bell hasn’t had much success at Phoenix, but he’s shown flashes here before and could use a quality finish after a disastrous week caused him to drop out of the top 20 in points. Bell’s the kind of driver that’s capable of winning on any type of track, but the top five feels like a more realistic result.

Elliott missed this race last season due to injury but has a strong history of finishing well at Phoenix throughout his career. Elliott hasn't been on the level of teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron so far this season, but this could be the week Elliott break through considering his past success here.

Best bet to finish top three- Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (+280 at Caesars)

Chastain spoiled the party for the Cup Series Championship Four by winning the 2023 regular season finale here at Phoenix, and he did so in dominant fashion by leading the most laps. Chastain’s been among the best drivers here recently and should finish up front once again as someone who’s shown some of the most consistent speed to start 2024.

Pick to win- Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford (+700 at FanDuel)

Blaney has surprisingly never won here at Phoenix before, but that’s bound to change considering he’s now finished second in his past three starts here. Only Kyle Larson has better odds to win this week, but I’ll go with the defending Cup Series champion since he’s finished up front here more consistently than Larson so far in the Next Gen car era.