Motorsports Betting Surge Driven by F1 and NASCAR Popularity
AI-generated image · US National Wire · Based on a photo by GT3Simon (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Mainstream interest in racing is fueling a rise in betting activity across sportsbooks and prediction markets.
Motor sports have seen a significant increase in popularity in recent years, according to CBS Sports. This growth has attracted mainstream sports fans to NASCAR and F1 betting, driven in part by pop culture and high-profile events such as the Daytona 500 and various F1 grand prix races.
Major sportsbooks are aggressively targeting this growth with "bet and get" promotions. CBS Sports reports that DraftKings and FanDuel both require a $5 initial wager to start; DraftKings offers $200 in bonus bets and three months of NBA League Pass, while FanDuel provides up to $350 in bonuses. Other active offers include Fanatics, which provides $350 in FanCash for a $20 wager, and Caesars Sportsbook, which offers up to $250 in bet reset tokens. BetMGM's promotion covers a first bet up to $1,500 in bonus bets if the wager loses, though users must bet at least $1,500 to qualify for the maximum amount.
Beyond traditional sportsbooks, CBS Sports notes that federally regulated prediction markets are providing easier access for fans. Kalshi is offering $55 in bonus trading credits for an initial trade of $25 or more, while Polymarket offers a $25 trading bonus for a $10 deposit.
While F1 is a primary driver, the racing landscape remains diverse. CBS Sports identifies the Indianapolis 500 as the premier IndyCar event and lists the Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard 400 as NASCAR "Crown Jewel" events. In F1, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is highlighted as a critical event that can determine the constructors and drivers championships, alongside marquee races in Monaco, Silverstone, Monza, and Singapore.