2012 NASCAR Odds – Gatorade Duel 1 – Kevin Harvick Favored
By Drew Sharper
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (TheSpread) – The Gatorade Duels are mini-races to determine the lineup for the Daytona 500. Here is a look at the odds to win the first of the two duels.
The Gatorade Duels are a 60-lap, 125-mile race featuring half of the Daytona 500 qualifying field. The order of finish in this race will determine the left side of the starting grid on Sunday. Carl Edwards has already won the pole, but the winner of this race will start third and second place fifth, etc.
The favorite to win the first duel race according to oddsmakers is Kevin Harvick, who has odds of 9/2 to win. Other short odds to win the first duel are Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5/1) and Tony Stewart (6/1).
Harvick has never won the Gatorade Duels. In 18 career races at Daytona, Harvick owns two victories and five top 5’s. His average finish in a full field is 14.7.
Earnhardt Jr. has won a Gatorade Duel three times in his career. The last time he did was back in 2008. Dale Jr. has two wins in 18 career races at Daytona and his average finish in a full field is 15.0.
Stewart is a two-time Duel winner. In his career of 44 races at Daytona, he has three wins and seven top 5’s. His average finish in a full field at this track is 16.7.
The Gatorade Duels will take place Thursday, February 23 from Daytona International Speedway and the first duel will take place at 2:19PM ET. For complete odds and track information on this year’s event, see below.
Odds to win Gatorade Duel 1
Kevin Harvick 9/2
Dale Earnhardt Jr 5/1
Tony Stewart 6/1
Jamie McMurray 8/1
Carl Edwards 8/1
Brad Keselowski 12/1
Denny Hamlin 12/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 18/1
AJ Allmendinger 18/1
Jeff Burton 18/1
Paul Menard 25/1
David Ragan 30/1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr 30/1
Trevor Bayne 30/1
Aric Almirola 30/1
Marcos Ambrose 30/1
Michael Waltrip 30/1
David Gilliand 35/1
Danica Patrick 35/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 30/1
2012 Gatorade Duel 1 Information
Race Date: Thursday, February 23
Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
Pre-Race: 1PM ET
Green Flag: Approx. 4PM ET
TV Coverage: SPEED
Radio Coverage: MRN
Track Type: Oval (60 laps)