The Round of 12 fires up at the flat, one-mile “Magic Mile,” where track position, long green-flag runs, and pit execution usually decide it. With playoff intensity rising and stage points on the line, every lap carries weight. Joe Gibbs Racing has set the standard at Loudon in the Next Gen era, but Penske pace and Hendrick efficiency keep things interesting. With 301 laps up for grabs, dominators will define the slate.

 

 

 

Mobil 1 301: The Favorites

Christopher Bell (+350 BetRivers Sportsbook)

Bell is the right chalk. He’s scored two Cup wins at Loudon (2022, 2024), thrives on flat ovals, and just punched his ticket at Bristol. He’s led 192 laps here in his last three starts, and current form makes him hard to fade even at this short number.

Denny Hamlin (+600 BetRivers Sportsbook)

Hamlin owns three Loudon wins and carries a lifetime 103.2 driver rating at the track. He’s been a fixture inside the top 10 here in the Next Gen era, and with playoff points in play, his ceiling matches Bell’s at a better price.

 

 

 

Mobil 1 301: Mid-Tier Targets

William Byron (+1500 FanDuel Sportsbook)

Byron’s Loudon record isn’t flashy, but Hendrick qualifying speed keeps him live. In 2025 he’s delivered consistency everywhere, and if he grabs track position early, his clean-air pace gives him top-five upside at value odds.

Chase Elliott (+1900 FanDuel Sportsbook)

Elliott has logged finishes of 2–18–11 in his last three Loudon races with 140 career laps led. He’s flown under the radar lately, but his short-flat form this season makes 19-1 a buy-low opportunity.

 

 

 

Mobil 1 301 Longshots Worth a Look

Bubba Wallace (+2500 BetMGM Sportsbook)

Wallace sits right on the mid-tier/longshot line, but we’ll tag him here as the playoff field tightens. He’s run 3rd and 8th in two of his last three Loudon starts and continues to shine on flats in 2025. With Toyota speed behind him, Bubba brings both stability and ceiling.

Ross Chastain (+4000 BetMGM Sportsbook)

Chastain has two top-10s in his last three Loudon outings and an average finish in the mid-teens. Trackhouse has been efficient on this style of oval, and at 40-1 he’s a smart sprinkle for late-race volatility.

 

 

 

Mobil 1 301: YOLO Dart of the Week

John Hunter Nemechek (+25000 FanDuel Sportsbook)

The odds are huge, but Nemechek grabbed P8 in his only Loudon Cup start and brings flat-track chops from Xfinity. At 250-1 it’s pure variance, but the ceiling is there if strategy breaks his way.

 

 

 

Mobil 1 301 Props That Pop

Chase Briscoe Top 5 (+105 FanDuel Sportsbook)

Briscoe has two top-10s in his last three Loudon races and thrives on short, flat ovals like Phoenix and Martinsville. Plus money for a top-five push is strong value.

Bubba Wallace Top 10 (-110 BetMGM Sportsbook)

Two top-10s in his last three Loudon starts plus 2025 flat-track form make this a fair price for a playoff driver.

Winning Manufacturer: Toyota (+100 DraftKings Sportsbook)

Bell and Hamlin have combined for two of the last three Loudon wins, and Gibbs’ package is dialed on flats. Even money gives you coverage on the strongest camp in the field.

 

 

 

Mobil 1 301 Final Thoughts

Bell deserves favorite status with Loudon dominance and Bristol momentum, but Hamlin is right there at a stronger price. Byron and Elliott headline the mid-tier value, while Bubba and Chastain bring playoff urgency and live longshot appeal. Nemechek is the YOLO swing, and props like Briscoe Top 5, Bubba Top 10, and Toyota to win round out the card with actionable plus-money edges.