Sunday in Daytona Beach marks the 61st race in the iconic racing event that is the Daytona 500. Since 1982, Daytona has marked the start of the NASCAR season. Richard Petty has the most wins ever at Daytona with seven, and Cale Yarborough is second with four. Chevy is first is number of wins with 24, and Ford is second with 15. That is enough history about Daytona, now it’s time for winning betting selections for Sunday’s season opener.
Possible Winner at Daytona
10/1 Denny Hamlin
Hamlin is the defending champion at Daytona and has captured this event twice in the last four years.
10/1 Joey Logano
The 29 year old, won this in 2015 and this will mark his 400th race on the NASCAR circuit. Logano, will be the youngest driver ever to race in his 400th event.
14/1 Chase Elliott
Elliott is entering his fifth season in NASCAR and it’s time he starts doing more than just winning short courses. I expect big things out of the number 9 car this season.
These are my top three racers for this race, so if you bet them all and one wins you will still make a pretty penny.
Winning Car Number 17.5
-150 Over
-110 Under
This is an interesting bet and should be fun to follow on Sunday. Hamlin and Elliott would qualify for the under and a couple other sneaky plays for the under would be #12 Ryan Blaney who is getting bet bigtime in Vegas to win here and a guy not a lot of people are mentioning but the number 2 car and Brad Keselowski could really do damage. The pole sitter Ricky Stenhouse Jr drives the 17 car and is worth keeping an eye on.
If you are leaning with the over, the sedimental pick would be Jimmy Johnson (48) who will be racing at Daytona for the last time as he plans to retire after this season. A few other sneaky plays who could surprise are Erik Jones (20) who had a nice Daytona last year finishing 3rd and Kyle Larson as well as he finished 7th.
Top 3 Finishers
+280 Joey Logano
Logano has been right in the mix the last 2 years finishing in 4th both races.
+280 Kyle Busch
Busch was the winner here in 2017 and finished in 3rd in 2016, and second last year.
+280 Martin Truex Jr
A very good price for the guy who I consider the favorite to win the NASCAR Cup this season.
+390 Kevin Harvick
Getting almost 4/1 on a true veteran is worth a play. Harvick turns 44 this year and just signed on for two more years of racing in the circuit.
Team Race Winner
+300 Joe Gibbs Racing
+400 Team Penske
+450 Hendrick Motor Sports
+350 Any Other team
Ultimately, I feel when the dust clears this will be a tight win for Team Penske with Joey Logano coming out on top. Joe Gibbs racers Truex, Kyle Busch and Hamlin will all finish in the top 10 and will make a run for the checkered flag, but again it’s Joey Logano who will get it done in Daytona.
Harry’s Top 10 Finishers at Daytona
10-Jimmy Johnson
9-Clint Bowyer
8-Erik Jones
7-Kyle Busch
6-Kyle Larson
5-Kevin Harvick
4-Martin Truex Jr
3-Chase Elliott
2-Denny Hamlin
1-Joey Logano