NASCAR Free Picks & Predictions – Daytona 500
By Drew Sharper
The big race takes place later today. Which drivers should you wager on for today’s Daytona 500? We have some suggestions.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a 7/2 favorite to win today’s annual race. Other short odds to win are Jimmie Johnson (8/1) and Denny Hamlin (9/1). The Daytona 500 takes place today at 1:30PM ET from Daytona International Speedway. The race will air live on FOX.
Denny Hamlin has been unable to get a win in the Daytona 500 or at Daytona International Speedway, but that is due to change. Hamlin has an impressive 86.4 driver rating at the track and he has finished fourth or better three of the last four years. Starting 11th, his car number, look for Hamlin to finally break through and win today with 9/1 odds.
Matt Kenseth has 10/1 odds today and he has great numbers at Daytona. He has the second-best driver rating of 91.6 and he is a two-time winner at this track. Kenseth will be starting second today, so he can avoid the heavy traffic early and stay up front most of the race before making a push to the finish line.
Kyle Busch also has 10/1 odds today and is coming off a Sprint Cup Championship. Busch was unable to compete in last year’s Daytona 500 due to an injury, so he will be eager to make a run at winning this season. Busch has the best driver rating of anyone in the race at 96.2 and he is a former winner at the track, though not the Daytona 500. We think Busch should be one of the top drivers today.