NASCAR
NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race Odds, Predictions & Best Bets At North Wilkesboro Speedway
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Published14 May 2025
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch couldn’t contain his frustrations.
Attempting a Stage 3 effort to work his way through the mid-pack Sunday at Kansas Speedway, Busch couldn’t avoid the aftershock of a collision between Josh Berry and Noah Gragson. Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet spun out of control and into the infield grass near the backstretch.
Busch voiced his displeasure on his team radio moments after the incident: “Un-f***ing believable,” he said. “It’s f***ing f***ed.”
When informed of the circumstance, Busch lashed out again: “They’re all f ***ing clowns. Every single one of ’em,”
Entering the Cup Series’ All-Star weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Busch ed just four top-10 finishes in 12 outings. The two-time Cup champion ranks No. 18 in the drivers’ standings, 225 points behind points leader Kyle Larson, Sunday’s winner at Kansas.
Below, we’ll preview the top storylines heading into Sunday’s All-Star Race and All-Star Open, go over the odds, and give our best bets for one of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule’s showcase events.
.@KyleBusch goes for a big slideeee! pic.twitter.com/n9eqvJR7FT
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 11, 2025
All-Star Race/All-Star Open Storylines
- Take away Larson’s dominating effort, leading 221 laps, and Josh Berry could have been the talk of Kansas. He piloted the No. 21 Ford from a last-place start to a top-10 finish. He even suffered a pit-road speeding penalty. During the final green-flag run, Berry rallied from P17 to P6.
- In his first season with RFK Racing, Ryan Preece earned his fourth top-10 finish and first in five outings, including the DQ at Talladega. He ranks 16th in the drivers’ standings, 218 points behind Larson.
- Can Brad Keselowski begin to regain confidence during All-Star weekend? Still without a top-10 finish, the 2012 Cup champion appeared poised to snap his slump at Kansas. But a cut tire cost him a chance to challenge the leader and suffer a P37. “We were playing to win and were in the right spot,” he told Fox Sports.
I'm really proud of this 6 team and the speed we had today, including our pit crew. We're gaining on it… even though the results aren't showing. I'm excited for what we've got for the 600. #6NeverQuits pic.twitter.com/hy1QVcC9f9
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) May 11, 2025
All-Star Race Driver Odds
Here is an early look at the drivers’ odds for the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Driver | NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race Odds |
|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | +475 |
| Ryan Blaney | +600 |
| Denny Hamlin | +600 |
| Christopher Bell | +600 |
| William Byron | +750 |
| Joey Logano | +800 |
| Chase Elliott | +1000 |
| Tyler Reddick | +1400 |
| Chris Buescher | +1600 |
| Chase Briscoe | +1600 |
| Josh Berry | +1800 |
| Alex Bowman | +1800 |
| Ross Chastain | +2000 |
| Kyle Busch | +2500 |
| Brad Keselowski | +2800 |
| Austin Cindric | +2800 |
| Daniel Suarez | +8000 |
| Austin Dillon | +10000 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | +15000 |
| Harrison Burton | +15000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
All-Star Race Predictions and Picks
Here are our best NASCAR Cup Series bets for the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway:
Kyle Larson (+475)
Why not? The 2021 Cup titleholder and current points leader won the 2023 All-Star Race, leading 145 of 200 laps. Last year, he placed P4 in the all-star showcase.
Joey Logano (+800)
The reigning circuit champion led all but one of the 200 laps last year. He finished P10 in 2023. He snapped his early-season slump with a win at Texas two weekends ago.
Kansas 🏁🔔📸 pic.twitter.com/hNAk70u5Ir
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) May 11, 2025
