Coke Zero 400 Predictions
The 2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Series holds one of its featured races of the season tonight, the Coke Zero 400. Here are some drivers we like to contend for the victory.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the favorite with 11/2 odds. Other short odds to win are Kyle Busch (7/1), Brad Keselowski (8/1), Denny Hamlin (12/1) and Joey Logano (12/1). The Coke Zero 400 takes place tonight at 7:30PM ET from Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a sentimental pick. It is his final race at Daytona, a track he has done very well at, and he needs a win in 2017. He is a two-time winner of this event and a four-time winner at Daytona in his career. His average finish at the track is 14.680, while his driver rating is 94.2. Dale Jr. has always been strong at Daytona and I think he will put a little more effort into this race, knowing it is the last time he will compete at this track.
Denny Hamlin is another driver in need of a win coming to a track that has been one of his strongest. Hamlin has one win in his career at Daytona with an average finish of 17.1 and a driver rating of 89.1. His driver rating ranks fourth in tonight’s field. Hamlin has yet to grab a win this year, but he has finished in the top 10 in five of his last six races and fourth in his last two outings. He seems to be building toward that important win and I think he can get it tonight.
Jamie McMurray is a 28/1 longshot for tonight, but I think there is a lot of value there. McMurray is one of few active drivers to win both this race and the Daytona 500. McMurray has a driver rating of 80.3 at this track, which ranks near the top 10 for the field. Though he is winless this year, he is eighth in the point standings, so he regularly finishes near the front. At a fast track where a big wreck can change the complexion of the race, McMurray is someone who could capitalize. If he stays out of trouble, he should definitely be in the mix for the win.
