Hollywood Casino 400 Betting Preview
08 September 2023
Kyle Larson (280.711) had dreamt of winning the Cook Out Southern 500, having previous success at Darlington. Larson’s dream came true as he punched his ticket to the round of eight, winning at Darlington and jumping up to second in the Drivers’ standings.
Larson was followed home by playoff competitors Tyler Reddick (281.895), Chris Buescher, William Byron (278.445), and Ross Chastain (284.002) rounding out the top five.
With the pressure mounting, the Cup Series returns to Kansas for the second time this season, where the top five was headlined by race winner Denny Hamlin (284.105), with Kyle Larson, William Byron, Bubba Wallace, and Ross Chastain rounding out the top five.
The Dunkel Index sorts through the extensive race data to find our best bet to win in our Hollywood Casino 400 preview.
Dunkel's Top 10
Here are the Top 10 drivers for this event, according to the Dunkel Index:
| W. Byron | 278.445 |
| M. Truex Jr | 279.647 |
| K. Larson | 280.711 |
| T. Reddick | 281.985 |
| C. Bell | 282.715 |
| R. Chastain | 284.002 |
| C. Elliott | 284.034 |
| D. Hamlin | 284.105 |
| B. Keselowski | 285.519 |
| J. Logano | 286.537 |
The Previous Success of Joe Gibbs Racing’s Duo
Pay no attention to Martin Truex Jr.’s (279.647) recent dip in results: despite two consecutive finishes outside the top ten, Truex has six consecutive top-ten finishes prior. While Truex has three race wins, nine top-five, and 15 top-ten finishes this season, it’s his recent results at Kansas that have him among the candidates to win: Truex won in 2017 and has an average finishing position of 6.3 with two top-five and seven top-ten finishes in the previous seven races at Kansas.
More impressive at Kansas than Truex is Joe Gibbs teammate Denny Hamlin (284.105). Alongside winning the Spring 2023 race at Kansas, Hamlin won this race in 2019 and has two wins and five top-five finishes in the previous seven races at Kansas Speedway.
Can Hendrick Motorsports Win a Second Consecutive Round of the Playoffs?
Hendrick Motorsports occupies the top two spots in the Drivers’ standings, with the drivers separated by one point.
Current playoff leader William Byron (278.445) has three consecutive top-ten finishes, giving him five wins, ten top-five, and 14 top-ten finishes this season. Byron will likely keep his top spot in the Drivers’ standings, having one top-five and six top-ten finishes in the last seven races at Kansas.
Kyle Larson (280.711) has three top-ten finishes in the last five races, with three race wins, 11 top-five, and 13 top-ten finishes this season. While the pressure is off Larson to make the next round, every point counts toward reclaiming the Cup Series Championship. Larson's likely to continue this charge at Kansas, a track where he has one race win, three top-five, and four top-ten finishes in the last five races.
Two Longer Shots With a Chance to Win
Team Penske’s Joey Logano (286.537) has won the Spring race three times (2014, 2015, and 2020) and needs a win to ensure he'll continue to defend his 2022 Cup Series Championship. Logano has an average finishing position of 14.6, with one win, three top-five, and six top-ten finishes in the last seven races at Kansas.
Despite not having the same success at Kansas as 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick (281.895) is due to break out. Reddick is currently third in the Championship standings and has two top-ten finishes in the last seven races at Kansas, including finishing ninth in the Spring.
The Dunkel Index’s Pick to Win the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400
The Dunkel Index is taking William Byron (278.445) to win round two of the NASCAR playoffs by landing on Victory Lane at the Hollywood Casino 400.
Keep up with your latest NASCAR news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.
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