When betting on NASCAR, a fan of the sport can bet on their favorite driver to win a race or they can bet on their favorite driver to finish in the top three of the race. Naturally, picking a top three driver in any given race is a bit easier than picking the winner of the race. Betting on a top three finish in a NASCAR race is a less risky way of betting on NASCAR while still having a financial stake in the outcome of the race.

Before betting a NASCAR race, one must establish an Internet sports betting account from which wagers may be placed. Most all the Internet sports books accept NASCAR bets, so picking a sports book that you are comfortable most with is suggested. Once the Internet sportsbook account has been set up, the bettor must fund their sports betting account by using a credit or debit card, transferring money by a wire or bank transfer, or by using an e-wallet that is accepted by the Internet sports book.

Upon establishing and funding an online sportsbook account, you can then wager on a race. When betting on a NASCAR event to pick a driver or drivers who you believe will finish in the top three of the race, you have to access the betting line for the NASCAR race of choice. A NASCAR betting line will detail the drivers in the field and the odds of them finishing in the top three. This NASCAR line might look a little like the following sample line:

Kobalt 500 – odds to finish in the Top 3

Kurt Busch 9 to 2

Kyle Busch 12 to 5

Mark Martin 12 to 5

Kasey Kahne 3 to 1

Jeff Burton 5 to 1

You wish to bet on Kasey Kahne to finish in the top three for the Kobalt 500. In reading the betting line for the race, you know that Kasey Kahne is at three to one odds for logging a top three finish. Thus, if you bet on Kahne and he finishes first, second, or third place in this race, your bet pays you three to one. Said another way, you win $3 for every $1 wagered if he finishes in the top three. When betting on a top three finish, you can even select multiple drivers. You could bet on Jeff Burton to finish in the top three in addition to Kahne doing so. If both bets racers finish 1, 2, or 3, you would be paid on both bets. If only one of the two successfully did so, you would be paid on one racer, while losing the bet on the other.