Q&A: NASCAR betting recap for 2021, new plans for 2022

Joe Solosky took over NASCAR's sports betting initiatives in March. He came from Sportradar, a multinational corporation that provides data to leagues, media companies and bookmakers. Solo's looking forward to the future of NASCAR betting in 2022.

Solosky and his family are settled in Charlotte. They have a son named Calvin.

Solosky has been working for Sportradar for five and a half years. He has not looked back since joining NASCAR.

Solosky is learning the sport. His biggest anxiety in applying for the role was his lack of exposure to NASCAR growing up.

Solosky is proud of getting NASCAR involved in the market access conversation in Ohio. He also wants to bring awareness and recognition to the sport.

Solosky went to the first NASCAR race in June. He has been to Daytona and Charlotte since then and plans to attend the championship in Phoenix. Soloski is confident in selling the sport to potential partners of his company in the sports betting space.

Solosky's favorite track is Pocono. He took the opportunity to watch each stage from a different vantage point.

Solosky didn't bet on the Pocono races, but he did download some apps to see how NASCAR was presented. He did market research asking fans if they bet and what they liked and didn’t like about NASCAR.

Solosky is excited about the exhibition race at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to kick off the season in 2022. He is anticipating new partners, new sports betting features and a race format that will be betting-friendly.

NASCAR.com asked Solosky about the amount of gambling ads sports fans are seeing these days. He is concerned about it and wants to find the right balance between it, the broadcasters and the partnership team. NASCAR promotes sports betting through various avenues. It also works with its partner to educate fans on how to participate responsibly.

NASCAR has four sportsbook sponsors. Solosky's philosophy is to work with those operators who want to be NASCAR's partners. He believes this helps in displaying to the partners that NASCAR is not diluting their brand.

NASCAR.com asks Solosky about NASCAR betting for 2021 and 2022. Next season, NASCAR will focus on head-to-head betting. They are also exploring providing a point spread bet for finishing position differential and an over/under for points gained in head to head matchups.

Barstool Sportsbook will have a simulator and promotion area at Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Barstol has received their license in Arizona. The Bar stool Racing talent should be out as a bullhorn to draw attention to the launch and excitement of betting on NASCAR.

Solosky picks Kyle Larson to win the Cup championship this season.