Expert Predictions and Best Bets for the 2025 Shriners Children's 500
Key insights and strategies for betting on this NASCAR event.
The first non-superspeedway oval race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has arrived, with the 2025 Shriners Children’s 500 set for Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Races on non-superspeedway ovals are generally won by top-tier drivers due to the lack of equalizers in play, and there are several with short odds atop the NASCAR odds board.
Defending champion Christopher Bell is the +500 favorite, followed by Ryan Blaney (+550). Should you back either of those drivers with your Shriners Children’s 500 picks?
Other contenders include Kyle Larson (+850), William Byron (+1000), and Chase Elliott (+1000). The green flag is scheduled to drop at 3:30 p.m. ET. Before entering any 2025 Shriners Children’s 500 props or NASCAR parlay picks on sites like PrizePicks, DraftKings Pick6, Sleeper Fantasy, and Underdog Fantasy, you need to see what elite expert auto racing handicappers Phil Bobbitt and Steve Greco have to say.
Bobbitt and Greco built a predictive engine that consistently beats the books. They find huge value and aren’t afraid of volume. Over the past four years, their followers are up more than $28,000 on $100 plays.
Prop Picks
One of their top NASCAR bets: They are backing Denny Hamlin to finish ahead of Kyle Busch in a head-to-head prop that pays -170 at DraftKings:
Busch is a previous champion at this track, taking the checkered flag in 2019. Translation: Busch has previously won at this track. However, he posted an average running position of 21.0 during 2023 and 2024 races, spending less than 30% of his laps inside the top 15.
In contrast, Hamlin has a much better performance average of 6.8, staying in the top 15 for 93.3% of his laps.
“Here it is, the matchup of the weekend. Denny Hamlin is our #4 pick for short, flat tracks, while Kyle Busch? Let’s scroll down… yep, #23,” Bobbitt and Greco told SportsLine.
Odds and Field
- Christopher Bell +500
- Ryan Blaney +550
- Kyle Larson +850
- William Byron +1000
- Chase Elliott +1000
- Denny Hamlin +1100
- Kyle Busch +2500
For a full list of betting options, check your preferred sportsbook.
