Is it too early to think about the 2026 NASCAR Cup title? Yes, but that’s not stopping sports bettors like BeT MGM. We still don’t know if 2026 will feature a elimination-style format with an extended final round, a ten-season playoffs, or a return to a season-long points system.<\/p>\n
Regardless of the final format, Kyle Larson<\/a> and Denny Hamlin<\/a> are likely early favorites, and BetMGM agrees. Both the newly crowned two-time Cup Series champion and the 2025 championship runner-up lead the way at +500 odds.<\/p>\n As for the other two Championship 4 drivers from this year, William Byron<\/a> is at +600 while Chase Briscoe<\/a> is at +1000.<\/p>\n The hype is real for 19-year-old phenom Connor Zilisch, who will embark on his first full-time season as a Cup driver in 2026, driving for Trackhouse Racing. He is way up the list of title favorites, which seems a bit ambitious. Zilisch is at +1000, equal with Briscoe and ahead of veteran teammate Ross Chastain<\/a>, who sits at +2500<\/p>\n Joey Logano<\/a>, who has more titles than any active full-time driver at three, slots in at +1600 at the writing of his story. The Penske driver seems to do well in even-numbered years, winning the title in 2018, 2022, and 2024, but we’ll see if that trend continues.<\/p>\n Carson Hocevar<\/a> is another driver of note, with the Spire star at +3000, surprisingly ahead of Hendrick’s Alex Bowman<\/a>, JGR’s Ty Gibbs<\/a>, and RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher<\/a>.<\/p>\n Former champions Kyle Busch<\/a> and Brad Keselowski<\/a> are both at +5000, and being anywhere near a title would a be a huge improvement for either of these experienced drivers in 2026.<\/p>\n