Top sportsbooks are offering up to $1,500 in bonus bets to new bettors looking to get into Formula 1 and NASCAR wagering in 2026. DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook have launched a range of promotions aimed at attracting fans to motor sports betting, which has surged in popularity alongside major events like the Daytona 500 and the F1 Grand Prix calendar.
DraftKings requires a minimum $5 wager to qualify new users for $150 in bonus bets. FanDuel’s offer is structured differently, returning up to $250 in bonus bets if users place $5 bets on five consecutive days, with a bonus token awarded for each wager. Fanatics Sportsbook offers $350 in FanCash after a $20 wager. BetMGM’s offer stands out for its size, covering a user’s first bet up to $1,500 in bonus bets if it loses, but only if the initial wager reaches the $1,500 threshold. Caesars Sportsbook is providing bet reset tokens worth up to $250 for new users.
These sportsbooks have established themselves as key platforms for motor sports betting. All consistently offer odds for F1 races and NASCAR events, making them popular choices among fans. However, some platforms offer more extensive motorsports betting markets than others, so bettors are advised to compare odds across several sites before placing wagers.
In addition to traditional sportsbooks, federally regulated prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket have opened motor sports markets for trading. Kalshi offers new users $55 in bonus trading credits after an initial trade of $25 or more. Polymarket provides $25 in trading credits upon a $10 deposit. Both platforms require users to be in states where their markets operate and complete identity verification to claim bonuses. Kalshi’s markets are unavailable in Michigan, Nevada, and Washington.
The betting format for motor sports resembles other sports markets, with odds reflecting the likelihood of specific drivers winning races. For example, on October 7, 2026, DraftKings listed odds for the Singapore Grand Prix, scheduled for October 11, where a favorite might be priced at -150, meaning a bettor must risk $150 to win $100. Contenders with longer odds, like +200, offer higher payouts but are considered less likely to win.
Motor sports calendars differ among NASCAR, F1, and IndyCar but usually feature weekly races with breaks. NASCAR includes several series, ensuring at least one race every weekend. F1 follows a fixed schedule with gaps filled by junior Formula racing. Key events include the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend, the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Brickyard 400 for NASCAR, and marquee F1 races such as Monaco, Silverstone, Monza, Singapore, Miami, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi.
Race weekends typically involve practice sessions on Thursday or Friday, qualifying events on Friday or Saturday, and the main races on Sunday. Betting markets extend beyond race outcomes to qualifying results, which influence race odds closer to the event.
Motor sports betting markets cover a variety of wagers beyond outright winners. Fans can bet on drivers or constructors finishing within specified placement ranges, such as top five or top ten finishes. There are also team-based markets where bettors predict which constructor will secure victory. Betting on qualifying outcomes adds another layer of strategy, as these results affect the grid and subsequent race odds.
While ties are rare in racing, some markets account for the possibility of drivers sharing a finishing position, adjusting payouts accordingly.
The latest confirmed promotions make it clear that sportsbooks are targeting motor sports fans with generous sign-up offers designed to encourage trial and engagement during the 2026 racing season.
According to CBS.
