The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for the Würth 400, a 400-mile battle on one of the most challenging 1.5-mile ovals in the sport. With high-speed corners, varying banking, and unpredictable cautions, this race promises intense action as drivers fight for victory in Fort Worth, Texas.
Race Details
- Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
- Location: Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, Texas)
- Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV Broadcast: FS1
- Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
- Race Stages: 80 / 165 / 267 laps
- Defending Winner: Chase Elliott
Track Overview & Challenges
Texas Motor Speedway underwent a major repave and reconfiguration ahead of the 2017 season, altering the racing dynamics significantly. The banking in Turns 1 and 2 was reduced from 24 to 20 degrees, while the track width expanded from 60 to 80 feet, creating a unique challenge for drivers.
- Turns 1 & 2: Require patience and finesse, as the lower banking forces drivers to manage speed carefully.
- Turns 3 & 4: Faster and more aggressive, allowing drivers to attack with confidence.
- Caution Trends: Since the Next Gen car debuted in 2022, Texas has seen 43 cautions in three races, with 16 cautions in last year’s event, making it one of the most unpredictable tracks on the schedule.
Top Storylines to Watch
1. Can Texas Continue Its Streak of Unique Winners?
The last eight races at Texas have produced eight different winners, including Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Chase Elliott. Will another new winner emerge, or will a past champion reclaim victory?
2. Kyle Larson – The Favorite to Win?
Larson enters Texas as the betting favorite (+330 odds), having led laps in both 1.5-mile races this season. Despite finishing outside the top 20 in his last two Texas races, his dominance at Homestead suggests he could be a major contender.
3. Carson Hocevar – The Underdog to Watch
Hocevar has had an up-and-down season, but his first career top-10 finish came at Texas last year. He also won his first Craftsman Truck Series race at this track in 2023. Could he surprise the field again?
4. Team Penske Drama – Logano vs. Cindric
After Austin Cindric’s Talladega win, tensions flared within Team Penske, with Joey Logano criticizing Cindric’s race strategy. Will this impact their performance at Texas?
5. Will Texas Produce More Chaos?
Texas has been one of the most unpredictable tracks in the Next Gen era, with double-digit cautions in two of the last three races. Will this trend continue, or will drivers find a way to keep the race clean?
Drivers to Watch
Kyle Larson (+330 odds)
- Two-time Texas winner
- Led laps in both 1.5-mile races this season
- Looking to rebound after two poor Texas finishes
Denny Hamlin (+450 odds)
- Three-time Texas winner
- Led comfortably last year before a late caution
- Ranks third in points standings
Chase Elliott (+500 odds)
- Defending Texas winner
- Hasn’t won since last year’s Texas race
- Looking to end a 37-race winless streak
Carson Hocevar (+6500 odds)
- First career top-10 finish at Texas last year
- Won his first Truck Series race at Texas in 2023
- Could be a surprise contender
Driver Odds
Kyle Larson + 330
William Byron + 650
Tyler Reddick + 700
Denny Hamlin + 850
Ryan Blaney + 900
Christopher Bell + 900
Chase Elliott + 1200
Kyle Busch + 1600
Joey Logano + 1600
Chase Briscoe + 1600
Bubba Wallace + 1800
Ross Chastain + 2500
Alex Bowman + 2500
Ty Gibbs + 2800
Josh Berry + 3500
Chris Buescher + 3500
Brad Keselowski + 3500
Daniel Suarez + 5000
Ryan Preece + 6000
Carson Hocevar + 6500
Austin Cindric + 6500
Noah Gragson + 10000
Erik Jones + 10000
Austin Dillon + 10000
AJ Allmendinger + 10000
Michael McDowell + 13000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. + 15000
Zane Smith + 15000
Justin Haley + 20000
John Hunter Nemechek + 20000
Jesse Love + 20000
Cole Custer + 20000
Todd Gilliland + 20000
Riley Herbst + 30000
Cody Ware + 30000
Chad Finchum + 30000
Ty Dillon + 30000
Shane Van Gisbergen + 30000
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, May 3, 2025
