If you’re looking for a massive superspeedway or a pristine asphalt mile-oval today, you’re looking in the wrong place. It’s January 13, 2026. The Cup Series guys are mostly still vibrating from the news that NASCAR is officially bringing back "The Chase" format for the upcoming season, and the Daytona 500 is still a month away. But if you want to talk about odds on today's NASCAR race, you have to look at the dirt. Specifically, the SageNet Center in Tulsa.
Tonight is the Warren CAT Qualifying Night at the Chili Bowl Nationals.
It’s the most chaotic, beautiful, and gambling-friendly "offseason" event in motorsports. While it isn't a points-paying Cup race, the field is absolutely infested with NASCAR stars. Kyle Larson already went out and dominated Monday's preliminary. Christopher Bell snagged the Race of Champions. Tonight, the spotlight shifts, and the betting board for this specific Tuesday night slate is where the real value is hiding.
Who’s the Favorite Tonight?
Honestly, the Chili Bowl is a different beast. You’ve got over 300 entries throughout the week, but tonight's "today's race" refers to the Tuesday night preliminary A-Main.
The heavy hitter for this Tuesday session is Ty Gibbs. The Joe Gibbs Racing star is back for his second real crack at the Golden Driller. Last year, he was basically a rookie on this surface and managed to claw his way into an F-Main. That doesn't sound impressive until you realize how many pros don't even make it that far. This year? The buzz in the pits is that he’s found a rhythm.
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Other names to watch for today's specific Tuesday prelim:
- J.J. Yeley: The veteran. He’s making his 30th attempt. 30 years! He’s finished second here before (2007) and he’s a wizard at finding grip where others just find a wall.
- Gavan Boschele: This kid is a phenom. He’s heading to ARCA with Nitro Motorsports this year, but tonight, he’s a favorite to at least podium the Tuesday A-Main.
- Michael "Buddy" Kofoid: While he isn't a "NASCAR regular" in the Cup sense, he’s the guy the Cup drivers fear. If you see Buddy’s name on a Tuesday board, he’s usually the odds-on favorite around +200 or +300.
Breaking Down the Odds on Today's NASCAR Race Action
The betting markets for dirt midget racing are a bit more "wild west" than your standard Daytona 500 lines. You won't find these on every corner sportsbook, but the major players like BetMGM and DraftKings have started leaning into the Chili Bowl madness.
Typically, for a qualifying night like tonight, you aren't just betting on "Who wins the whole thing on Saturday?" You’re betting on "Who wins the Tuesday A-Main?"
Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin are already sitting pretty as the +500 and +550 favorites for the 2026 Cup Championship later this year. But for today, Larson is just a spectator after his Monday win. That leaves a massive vacuum. If you’re looking at the board right now, Ty Gibbs is likely hovering around +450 to win the Tuesday prelim. Yeley is a "value play" at +1200 because of his experience.
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It’s important to remember that Chili Bowl odds shift faster than a midget car on a cushion. One bad heat race and a driver is buried in a C-Main, making their "odds to win" basically astronomical.
Why Everyone is Distracted by "The Chase"
You can't talk about NASCAR right now without mentioning the 2026 format change. NASCAR just confirmed they are ditching the "one-race, winner-take-all" finale in Phoenix for a return to a 10-race points-based Chase.
This has actually impacted the long-term betting lines. Ryan Blaney and William Byron saw their 2026 title odds tighten. Why? Because they are "consistency kings." In a 10-race sample size, the "luck" factor of a late-race restart at Phoenix is minimized.
But back to today. If you are looking for action tonight, you’re looking at FloRacing. You're looking at 1/4-mile clay. You're looking at drivers like Sheldon Creed and Corey Day trying to survive the "soupy" track conditions of a Tuesday night in Tulsa.
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Betting Strategy for the Chili Bowl Prelims
If you’re putting money on the odds on today's NASCAR race (the Tuesday prelim), don't just bet the biggest name. NASCAR drivers are great, but they often struggle against "Dirt Specialists."
- Watch the Heat Races: In the Chili Bowl, passing points are everything. If a driver starts 8th in a heat and finishes 2nd, they are a god. Their odds will plummet for the A-Main. Try to get your bets in after the draw but before the heats if you like a long shot.
- The "Yeley" Factor: J.J. Yeley is the ultimate "Top 5" bet. He might not have the raw horsepower of the top-tier teams anymore, but he is a lock to be in the mix when the track slicks over.
- Track Evolution: Tuesday night tracks are usually faster and "tackier" than Saturday tracks. This favors the aggressive, younger drivers like Ty Gibbs who are used to high-grip situations.
What’s Next for the Week?
The Chili Bowl continues every night this week until the "Alphabet Soup" on Saturday. Tomorrow (Wednesday), we see another batch of drivers. Thursday is Christopher Bell's night to officially start his qualifying quest.
For today, January 13, keep your eyes on the Warren CAT Qualifying night results. If Ty Gibbs wins tonight, his odds for the Saturday Golden Driller will likely jump from +1500 to somewhere around +600. Getting in on him today is the "sharp" move before the general public catches on.
Actionable Insights:
- Check FloRacing starting at 5:00 PM ET for the live broadcast of today’s heats.
- Look for Top 3 finish props on Ty Gibbs or Gavan Boschele if you want a safer play than an outright win.
- Monitor the 2026 Cup Championship futures; with the return of "The Chase," guys like Christopher Bell (+700) are looking like better values than they were under the old playoff system.
The dirt is flying, the engines are screaming, and while it's mid-January, the racing season is very much alive.