NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 odds and value picks

The NASCAR Cup Series’ longest night is nearly here, as the Coca-Cola 600 is set for Sunday evening (6 p.m. ET, FOX). The Memorial Day weekend staple takes place at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where the forecast is clear.

Kyle Larson opened as the +500 betting favorite for the Coca-Cola 600, but his lack of success at intermediate tracks (1-for-30) gives cause for pause. Let’s look for three alternatives who could take Charlotte’s signature event at a nice price, bearing in mind that qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 will be held on Saturday afternoon.

Martin Truex Jr. (+550)

Martin Truex Jr. appears to be in good position to land his fourth victory of the season in the Coca-Cola 600. He has an average finish of 4.5 over his last eight races at Charlotte, and he’s visited Victory Lane three times in that span. Truex has also led an eye-popping 919 laps over this stretch.

The No. 19 Toyota has been an intimidating presence at intermediate tracks since February of 2018, as Truex is third in average finish (8.07) and second in laps led (1,463).

Kevin Harvick (+1100)

Kevin Harvick has brought some solid racecars to Charlotte over the last few years, but he’s still in search of his first win on this circuit since 2014. He could find it at solid odds on Sunday night.

Harvick has eight stage placings at Charlotte since 2017, including two stage wins. He’s hit the Top 10 in five of those last six races while leading 271 laps.

The No. 4 Ford driver has been exceptional at intermediate circuits over the last 2 1/2 years, recording an average finish of 8.05 over 43 races (second only to Kyle Busch) while leading a Cup Series-best 2,205 laps.

William Byron (+1600)

William Byron lost his 11-race Top 10 streak in painful fashion last Sunday at Circuit of the Americas, as he had to settle for 11th when the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix was called off with 14 laps to go. But Byron can start a new streak on Sunday, and he could even win as a live longshot.

The No. 24 Chevrolet driver collected five of his 11 Top 10s at intermediate tracks, including his victory at Homestead-Miami. Byron ran in the Top 10 for much of his last three visits to Charlotte Motor Speedway, picking up four stage placings. His average finish in that span is a respectable 13.67, and he led 42 laps.