NASCAR Sports Betting Heading Towards September Launch, Introduces In-Play Race Bets on Multiple Outcomes

Fans of USA’s stock car racing championship, NASCAR, will be able to make in-race bets on a variety of outcomes starting this September.

Racing series’ betting platform is going to make its debut right in time for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Championship Playoffs. NASCAR has partnered with Genius Sports in May this year, allowing the data provider to distribute a real-time feed to legal sportsbooks in the US and globally.

An Array of Betting Options

NASCAR’s managing director of gaming, Scott Warfield, remarks:

“The list is almost limitless. What we want to do with Genius is roll this out in a way that’s smart and efficient and isn’t overly complex out the gate.”

Circuit’s expanded gambling will be overlooked by a team of committed individuals who say that odds will be available on stage winners, most laps led, lead changes, one-on-one driver props and group matches.

It is NASCAR’s general stance that legalization of sports betting across the US will increase fan engagement and bring new audience to this sport. Warfield added that the team behind this project is thinking about how this solution can turn fans into evangelists of the betting products “so they go out and tell their cousins and friends overseas.”

Full Release in 2020

The partnership will yield a unique betting product exclusive to NASCAR and Genius Sports will be using series’ official data to build the betting product and sell it to sportsbook operators across the US and the world in general.

The first NASCAR playoff race will take place in Las Vegas with the South Point 400. The full package will be launched in February 2020 at Daytona 500, with more in-play wagering opportunities scheduled for next year’s release.

More Excitement and More Attendance

Dale Earnhardt Jr, who is now working as an analyst and used to be a professional driver himself…

…agrees with Warfield’s notion that this will increase viewership. He believes that in-race betting will produce “more excitement, bring more attention, more people in attendance” and just, generally, a lot of positives.

The Question of Integrity

Sports betting has been legalized in nine US states, plus Nevada…

…has been raising concerns about the integrity of games and sports that may become prone to bad influences from day one. For sports whose outcome can be greatly influenced by a single participator, this is a particular problem.

In order to protect its integrity, NASCAR has signed a deal with Sportradar that will “monitor nefarious activity” via its Fraud Detection System. NASCAR Vice President of Global Media Strategy and Distribution, Brian Herbst, says: “It is critical to be proactive in developing safeguards that protect NASCAR’s on-track product from any potential integrity threats.”

Soft Launch Already Happened

On July 1st, NBC announces the free to play NASCAR Pick ‘Em contest…

…with first game already took part at Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400. Pick ‘EM games can be played on MBC Predictor App or online. The contest comes with a progressive jackpot prize of $10,000.

Source:

“Nascar to pilot new betting product in September”, Bob Williams, sportbusiness.com, July 15, 2019.