We’re less than a month away from the the Great American Race, also known as the Daytona 500. This event basically kicks off every season in February. And what to start. This is an event that many await for every year. The thrill, the adrenaline, the car crashes! It has it all.

The question is, who’s favored to win it this time? Will it be the two-time defending champ and odds favorite, Denny Hamlin? Or will drivers like Joey Logano, Chase Elliot or Kaselowski step up to the plate and take their first major victory of the season? We will dive into that and more, along with the odds to win the 2021 Daytona 500.

2021 Daytona 500 Race Information

• When: Sunday, February 14th, 2021 | 2:30 PM ET
• Where: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
• TV: FOX
• Radio: MRN
• Live Stream: NBC Sports

Latest 2021 Daytona 500 Betting Odds

*As of January 18th, 2021

Who’s the Best Driver to Bet on the 2021 Daytona 500 Odds?

There’s no doubt that Denny Hamlin was going to be the favorite. He’s won back to back Daytona 500s, making it three in total within the last five years. His average finish in 2020 was of 2.3. That’s a pretty good number if you ask me. Hamlin has had a good performance at superspeedway races.

Which Driver Should Be Your Smart Pick?

Currently, Hamlin is tied as favorite with Joey Logano at +800. He’s won the Daytona 500 before, back in 2015 and has been the only he’s won since. As a matter of fact, in last year’s race, Logano was having a pretty good race before he was part of the multi-car crash, placing him in 27th place. It looks like plate tracks weren’t in his favor in 2020. Nevertheless, he’s a driver that does have top five performances, so don’t count him out yet.

The third favorite in the 2021 Daytona 500 odds is Brad Kaselowski. Interesting enough, since last season wasn’t his best, despite having a third placed performance at the Coke Zero 400. One thing to notice is that he’s had sic sub-25th place finishes in seven Daytona races. This could be a factor to consider and one to keep an eye out for in upcoming weeks NASCAR odds.

Next in line is Chase Elliot at +900. One interesting fact to mention Elliot is that his performance has been proven to be better at Talladega than at Daytona. At Alabama, he’s hitting .500 at top-fives. But at Daytona, he failed to score a top 10 position in his first nine starts before placing in second place back in August.

Lastly, there’s Ryan Blaney, who’s recent performances has suit him well. He was ranked fifth in the first Talledega race in 2020, same thing occurred at the Coke Zero 400. He also won two of the last three Talladega races, with a sixth or better performance at the last two Daytona race as well. Keep an eye out for this guy. He’s coming in hot.

Underdogs to Consider

If we’re going to look into some serious NASCAR betting underdogs, I would have to go with Bubba Wallace. He’s had his moments that were on verge of shocking. Back in 2018, he almost shocked the world by almost winning the Daytona 500, but it was Austin Dillon that took that dream away. He was able to score another top-five back in August. The Richard Petty Motorsports driver could be a surprise yet again this season!

2021 Daytona 500 Expert Betting Pick

It’s hard not make the obvious choice, based on all the facts laid out before you. Hamlin is the clear pick, due to his record. But sometimes the magic can simply disappear. I don’t see someone like Kyle or Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr. or Kevin Harvick make any surprises either, though the odds for the first 5 spots are so close that it’s hard to call as well, despite the obvious.

I’m also considering their last performance from 2020, which ended very differently to how it started. I have a feeling that the reigning NASCAR champion could take it this time around. Despite having difficulties on this type of track, Chase Elliot is coming in with high momentum to defend his NASCAR championship. Also, the pressure on Hamlin to win it three times in a row could into play, as no other driver has been able to complete such feat.

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