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After an extended stay in the Western U.S., the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series is back in the Eastern time zone for the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at luxurious zMax Dragway.

The second of three four-wide events this season, the Charlotte event is known for both super-close side-by-side-by-side-by-side racing and unpredictable outcomes.

Once again, PlayNHRA, NHRA’s partnership with leading sports books and fantasy sports providers, has allowed fans to sign up for free and legally wager on national events and other outcomes in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, including this weekend’s event in Charlotte.

NHRA fans have the opportunity to engage in fantasy games, gaming, and betting for this event. Betting markets feature the Professional classes, Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, where fans can wager on event winners, low elapsed time of the event, head-to-head matchups, and season champions.

The experts at Alt Sports Data have set the opening lines for this week’s event at zMax Dragway, and they have chosen reigning world champs Antron Brown, Austin Prock, Greg Anderson, and Gaige Herrera as pre-race favorites.

Below are the opening odds as provided by Alt Sports Data.

(Note: In American sports betting, odds are typically expressed with a plus (+) or minus (–) symbol followed by a number. For example, +200 signifies the amount a bettor could win if wagering $100. If the bet works out, the player would receive a total payout of $300; $200 profit + $100 initial stake.)

TOP FUEL

While he has fallen to third in the standings, reigning world champ Antron Brown continues to be favored by the oddsmakers as he once again leads a stout field of four-wide contestants. In four events this season, Brown and his Matco Tools team have a win and a runner-up and a 7-3 record in elimination rounds. Brown’s opening odds for the Charlotte event are +550, meaning a $10 bet would return $65.00.

Incoming leader Shawn Langdon is not far behind Brown at +650, while Justin Ashley and Doug Kalitta are also listed among the favorites at +700. Similar odds are offered on Brittany Force, Steve Torrence, Clay Millican, and recent Las Vegas winner Tony Stewart, who are all listed initially at less than 10-1 odds.

When it comes to long shots, look no further than North Carolina’s own Doug Foley, who opened at +5,000, meaning a $10 wager would return $510.00 should he earn his first Professional victory.

FUNNY CAR

Austin Prock once again finds himself as the early favorite, and why not? He is not only the reigning world champ but also a past winner of the zMax four-wide race in Top Fuel, and he won the Funny Car title the last time we visited Charlotte last September.Ìý Prock is coming off an impressive win in Las Vegas, which gives him the upper hand with the betting public at +270, which converts a $10 wager into a $37.00 return.

Jack Beckman is ranked second at +500, while Paul Lee opened at +900. There is also a group that includes Bob Tasca III, Ron Capps, Spencer Hyde, Matt Hagan, Chad Green, Buddy Hull, J.R. Todd, and Daniel Wilkerson that falls between +1,100 and +1,500, providing a solid value through the middle of the field.

A bit further down the order, Alexis DeJoria is priced at +3,500, while Hunter Green is +6,500. Also at +6,500 is Dave Richards, who reached the final quad at the most recent event in Las Vegas.

PRO STOCK

There is a massive 25-car field headed to Charlotte for this event, so qualifying isn’t a given for almost anyone. That likely won’t apply to Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn, who are not only runaway points leaders, but they also share the top spot at +450, making them solid favorites against the rest of the large field.

Anderson and Glenn have combined to win each of the first four events, but if there is to be a new winner this week, it will likely come from a group that includes Aaron Stanfield (+900), Cory Reed (+1,100), Matt Hartford, or Deric Kramer (+1,400).

After struggling at the first four events and failing to qualify in Las Vegas, Erica Enders has dropped to +1,500, which is actually a solid value for a six-time world champ and 49-time national event winner. Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Eric Latino are also solid value bets at +1,700.

Looking for a solid long shot? Look no further than newcomer Matt Latino, who made a solid impression in Las Vegas. Latino opened at +6,500, which means a $10 wager would return a hefty $660.00.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

Gaige Herrera and Matt Smith continue to share the favorite's role in Pro Stock Motorcycle, which returns to action for the first time since the Gainesville season opener. Herrera, the Gainesville winner, is the biggest favorite on the board at -150, which means a $10 bet would result in a return of $16.66 for a profit of just $6.66. Smith is only slightly better at +270, although he might actually be the favorite given his track record at zMax Dragway, which is considered his home track.

Looking beyond the two favorites, Richard Gadson is priced at a reasonable +750, while last year’s Seattle winner Chase Van Sant is tempting at +2,000, along with Angie Smith at +3,000. A bit further down the order is Hector Arana Jr., who has been known to defy the odds. Arana missed the season opener, but his +4,000 price is attractive.

Opening odds provided by Alt Sports Data (Odds are subject to change).

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