2023 NASCAR season most-watched on NBC since 2017

“As we head into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in Darlington, @NBCSports is currently enjoying its most-watched season since 2017 following Saturday night’s primetime race at @DAYTONA,” tweeted NBC Sports PR.

As you can see, live sports are booming all throughout the world, and NASCAR is no different. When it comes time to renew their television contract, you better believe they’ll be asking for more than what they’re currently getting.

What that turns into for the sport remains to be seen, but NASCAR is in a fantastic spot entering their playoffs. We can’t wait to see how it shakes out on NBC over the next couple of months.

NASCAR Playoffs odds, favorites to win the Bill France Cup

The first week of Round One of the NASCAR Playoffs is here and the odds have a clear favorite for the Bill France Cup. Points have been reset, the playoff standings are set, and we are ready for postseason racing. 

Heading into the Southern 500, we also have a reset on the NASCAR Playoffs odds. Of course, everyone has their own favorite. However, Las Vegas has laid down the lines and there are a few drivers with a better shot at this championship than others. 

Before Round One gets underway, it is almost a rundown of the playoff standings. With the regular season championship and the 15 bonus points secured, Martin Truex Jr. is the favorite to win the Bill France Cup at 17-4. He opened up the season at 14-1 odds, for reference. 

William Byron follows at 5-1 odds. Then Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin at 6-1 odds. Kyle Busch is listed at 8-1 odds to round out the top-5 in the odds. 

Other notes from the opening championship odds, Championship Four drivers Christopher Bell and Ross Chastain are listed at 12-1 and 16-1 odds, respectively. Defending champion Joey Logano is also listed at 16-1. 

Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. have the worst odds of the 16 NASCAR playoff drivers. Both drivers are listed at 150-1 odds heading into week one.

On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this article.