Betting The Daytona 500: Can Hamlin Make It Three In A Row?

• Betting odds are now available for the Daytona 500, where back-to-back winner Denny Hamlin leads all drivers with +800 odds to win The Great American Race.
• Other top picks include Cup Series Champion Chase Elliot (+1000), Kyle Busch (+1400), Ryan Blaney (+1200), Kevin Harvick (+1400), and Joey Logano (+1200).

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – When it comes to the world of stock car racing, the Daytona 500 stands alone as the most prestigious annual event on the schedule.

Every February, millions of eyes turn to Daytona International Speedway to see who will etch their name into the history books as a winner of The Great American Race.

From Earnhardt and Petty, to Gordon and Johnson, nearly every legendary driver has had their moment at Daytona. The race marks the beginning of the NASCAR season each year, with wide-eyed rookies and grizzled veterans going head-to-head at speeds over 200 MPH.

This year, the race will be a welcome distraction from the tribulations of the world as the best in the sport return for their chance to cruise into Victory Lane.

Those looking to bet on the Daytona 500 can do so from any of the state-sponsored sportsbook or via legal sports betting sites.

Bettors looking to bet on the biggest NASCAR race of the season will be focusing on one man more than any other.

Denny Hamlin (+800) will be going for his third straight win at the Daytona 500, and fourth overall. All of Hamlin’s wins have come since 2016, and he will have the chance to establish himself as one of the greatest of all time to ever race the Trioval with another win on Sunday.

Hamlin has proved to be a popular pick amongst bettors, earning 18% of the total betting handle so far on the popular DraftKings Sportsbook. Fifteen percent of total bets on the race so far have come in on Hamlin and his #11 FedEx Toyota.

Hamlin is followed by Joey Logano at +950. Logano and his #22 Pennzoil Ford have been a force at Daytona over the years, earning his way to victory lane back in 2015. Logano has earned 6% of the total betting handle via DraftKings.

Just behind the top two comes 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Chase Elliot in his #9 NAPA Auto Chevrolet. Elliot has shown he can win on any race track, and is currently available for +950 betting odds. Elliot has earned 14% of the total betting handle thus far according to DraftKings.

The top group is followed by names like Ryan Blaney (+950), Brad Keselowski (+1000), and Florida-native Aric Almirola (+1200), who earned a bout of confidence following a win Thursday night in the Duel at Daytona.

Behind that group comes a series of drivers with tremendous value. The always dangerous Kyle Busch sits at +1800 on the betting board despite earning 7% of all total bets at DraftKings. Superspeedway expert Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is available for +1600, and NASCAR’s newest star, Bubba Wallace, sits at a tasteful +2500 price.

Wallace has earned the biggest bet so far at DraftKings, with one bettor placing $1,000 on the #23 car.

While all these big names attract the big money, the best part about the Daytona 500 is the fact that anyone can have their day.

Known as a wreck fest, the race has a tendency for chaos and has produced some unlikely winners over the years, including 2011 winner Trevor Bayne. Bayne became the youngest driver to win the 500 at just 20 years old, but has yet to win another race in the Cup Series and was most recently racing on the Truck Series in 2020.

This year, longshot bettors are eyeing names like Ryan Newman (+6600), Corey LaJoie (+15000), and Daniel Suarez (+15000).

LaJoie and Saurez are young drivers with tons of upside, while Ryan Newman is looking for redemption on the biggest stage. Newman suffered a terrifying crash when he was spun out by Ryan Blaney while leading on the final lap of last year’s Daytona 500.

For those that believe in destiny, Newman will be a popular pick. As the race approaches, the 2021 Daytona 500 odds are subject to change. Now might very well provide the best value for NASCAR bettors.

News tags: Brad Keselowski | Bubba Wallace | Chase Elliot | Daytona 500 | Daytona 500 Odds | Denny Hamlin | Kevin Harvick | Kyle Busch | NASCAR | NASCAR Betting | Ryan Blaney