Toledo Speedway

When this year's Speedway World Championship began at the end of April, it was anyone's guess which driver would land the title. Experts worldwide predicted a competitive renewal, and the TV pundits agreed, expecting at least four names to be in the running. 

Could 2023 help bring back the glory days and go right down to the wire? It had potential, but unfortunately for those who predicted upset at the top sportsbooks online, things didn't go to plan.

The campaign is now three months old, and with a solid catalog of results, performances, and times to work from, we thought it worthwhile to check up on the betting. The leading names in Las Vegas had their say, but were they correct? 

Who are the four or more drivers in the running at the midway stage, and what have we learned from recent performances? As you can imagine, there's a lot to get through.

Five months of action

The season ends in September when five months of racing provide a champion. By the finish line, the World Championships would've visited ten cities across eight countries, taking in some stunning tracks. There are 15 permanent drivers, a wildcard, two reserve tracks, and 230 heats from 10 events. Only then is the best driver and world champion declared.

Attendance figures have risen considerably, and Speedway is finally back where it belongs. A globally popular sport with a growing fanbase and fresh investment. Things look rosy in the garden, but who is the main attraction? 

Unfortunately, despite several races to complete between now and the finish line, we already have our answer with a champion in waiting.

Bartosz leads the way

As fans likely already know, the man in question is Bartosz Zmarzlik, who has made light work of what was to be a challenging season. The current World Championship leader hit the front early and has yet to look back, winning several vital races with speed, skill, and consistency. His form has allowed Bartosz to open a gap over the chasing pack, and it's already so comfortable it's looking increasingly likely he won't be caught.

The current standings show Polish rider Zmarzlik already had 90 points on the board, which is impressive. It's even more striking when we note nearest rival, Jack Holder, in second place, has 69 points against his name. The Australian is closer to Great Britain's Dan Bewley in eighth place than the pace-setter. Outside of Bartosz, the World Championship is as competitive as expected. 

The Speedway season has been fascinating, but Zmarzlik has been as dominant as anyone in recent years. The 28-year-old looks comfortable in his current position and shows no signs of slowing down or taking his eye off the ball. Some critics accused Speedway of being boring and predictable, like Formula 1 during Lewis Hamilton's most dominant years. 

That's the best compliment Bartosz can recieve, and it has injected fresh enthusiasm into the camp. Like British speedster Hamilton, Speedway is predictable because the leader is far ahead of the chasing pack. It's not a criticism of the sport but a recognition of how good the Pole is performing, leaving the chasing group choking in his dust.

Bookies know the score

The most famous online bookmakers love an upset, and it would boost the profit margins if Zmarzlik somehow surrendered his lead. But traders aren't in the habit of opposing men like Bartosz and instead are doing what they can to fend off interest in backing the Polish Speedway star. They have accepted he won't be caught this season, with some bookies even offering odds on next season.

The dominance of the World Championship leader means value is thin on the ground. Some enormous odds are available if you're backing anyone else to lift the crown besides Bartosz. Betting apps offer Jason Doyle the next most likely champion, but his odds of around +1600 tell a tale. You'll rarely see a second favorite with such high odds, and prices grow the further down the pecking order we search. 

Fredrik Lindgren and Jack Holder share a similar price to Doyle before we almost double the offer for Leon Madsen, despite him being fifth in the betting. Stake on anyone other than bookies' pick Bartosz and the consensus is you'd be as well throwing your cash down the drain. You have zero chance of seeing a return, which isn't easy to argue.

Play the field

Alternatives exist to predict the champion in a seemingly one-horse race. The leading sportsbooks offer all registered members odds and markets on every race this season. Predict the winner or play one of the many eye-catching specials, including podium finish, number of finishers, points finish, head-to-head and more. There's something to suit every type of bettor and budget. 

Many respected apps offer Speedway World Championship outright odds and betting on the next race. You can gamble before the start by selecting a driver and clicking on their odds to add that name to your bet slip. Input a stake and confirm. Your bet will be live, and a cash-out value added. You can then sit back, relax and enjoy the race unfold.

Modern gambling allows lovers of Speedway to bet remotely. There's no reason to visit a land-based casino or city sportsbook. Download a betting app to your Android or iOS device, deposit funds, and bet from anywhere, on any market, and from anywhere. You are in complete control of your predictions and stakes.

Claim a free bet

Before we let you race off and make predictions on the next Speedway event, we must share our tips on how to claim a free bet. The leading online sportsbooks from the United States, United Kingdom, and beyond offer all new players a welcome bonus when registering an account.

Choose a betting app that's legal and licensed to trade in your region, create an account, deposit funds and bet. When your first wager results, the marketing team will add a free bet to your account balance. Use the bet tokens to wager on any Speedway market available.