NASCAR Picks; Three Drivers to watch in the Daytona 500

We’ve had the appetizer, and now it’s time for the real NASCAR action to start. Yes, the ‘Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum’ has been on and gone, and now it’s time for the Daytona 500. This is the first points paying official NASCAR race of the season, and it means even more full contact racing. There was a shock winner – of sorts – in the curtain raiser at LA. So, what chance is there of another in Daytona? Let’s take a look and bring you the answer in our latest NASCAR betting picks.

  • What; NASCAR Daytona 500
  • Where; Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
  • When; Sunday, February 19th, 2023
  • Green Flag; 2.30 pm ET

Martin Truex Jr, remember him? Yes, he had a 2022 to forget. But like all true champions he bounced back from his first winless season since 2014 to claim the Clash at the Coliseum.

The 2017 Cup Series Championship winner beat Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch into second and third places respectively, in what was a dominant performance by the Joe Gibbs Racing man. And it was a well overdue win for Truex Jr, who endured a torrid 2022. So can Truex Jr do it again at Daytona Beach? Let’s take a look and see what the best NASCAR betting sites think.

Betting to win Daytona 500

Depending on where you look, you may find a different favorite to win the Daytona 500. But one thing that is consistent with the best NASCAR betting sites is that this is an open race.

BetOnline makes Ryan Blaney their favorite at +1000, with Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Denny Hamlin all next at +1200. Fresh from his solid debut for Richard Childress Racing at the Coliseum, Kyle Busch is next at +1400, which is also the same odds for Joey Logano.

If you look at odds from BetUS, they have Blaney, Logano, Larson, Elliott and Hamlin, all priced up at +1200. They can’t split that fivesome.

And finally, Bovada is the same with the above five drivers. They also have them all at +1200. Following on is William Byron at +1400, with Ross Chastain, Kyle Bucsh and Bubba Wallace next, all at +1600.

More betting for the NASCAR Daytona 500 can be found on our below odds table.

2023 NASCAR Daytona 500 Winner BettingBetOnline ReviewBetUS ReviewBovada
Ryan Blaney+1000+1200+1200
Chase Elliott+1200+1200+1200
Denny Hamlin+1200+1200+1200
Kyle Larson+1200+1200+1200
Joey Logano+1400+1200+1200
Kyle Busch+1400+1400+1600
Ross Chastain+1600+1600+1600
William Byron+1800+1400+1400
Brad Keselowski+1800+1800+1800
Bubba Wallace Jr+1800+1600+1600
Tyler Reddick+2000+1800+1800
Austin Cindric+2000+1800+1800
Martin Truex Jr+2500+2500+2000
Christopher Bell+2500+2000+2500
Kevin Harvick+2800+2500+4000
Austin Dillon+2800+2500+2500

Daytona 500; The Contenders

Of the five drivers who make up the favorites with the top sportsbooks, three of the drivers have never previously won this race. Ryan Blaney is one of those guys. But he has finished second in this race twice, and he also won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at this circuit back in 2021.

As we mentioned last time out in our picks to win the Clash at the Coliseum, the Hendrick Motorsports duo of Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson always seem to be among the favorites for all races. And this is again the case this week. But neither have won this race before.

In fairness to Elliott, he has taken pole position here twice, and in 2021 he finished in 2nd place. That race was a crazy one though. Eventually won by Michael McDowell of Front Row Motorsports after Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski crashed on the final lap while battling for the lead.

Of the two drivers who have been victorious in this race, Joey Logano won it once in 2015, and Denny Hamlin has won it three times, 2016, 2019, and 2020.

Kyle Busch also has a win in this race under his belt. He was victorious back in 2017 driving for Stewart-Haas. Other notable winners are Austin Dillon back in 2018, and Austin Cindric, who won here last year.

2023 Daytona 500 Betting Picks

Onto our NASCAR betting picks for the Daytona 500, and with this being such an open race we are able to hedge our bets and choose more than one driver. And the first driver we’re going for is Denny Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin +1200

Impossible to ignore with three wins in this race already to his name, Denny Hamlin is our opening pick to win the 2023 Daytona 500. Included in his three wins are two in the last four Daytona 500 races. He is also one of the most accomplished and experienced drivers on the circuit. At +1200, Denny Hamlin is a must pick!

Denny HamlinTo win Daytona 500
★★★★★
+1200
Bet now

Austin Dillon +2800

The Richard Childress Racing driver won here in 2018, and finished third (although it would have been 5th if it wasn’t for the Logano/Keselowski final lap incident) back in 2021.

Dillon had a good day at the Coliseum – finishing second behind Martin Truex Jr – and looks in good form. He is +2500 with both Bovada and BetUS, but is +2800 with BetOnline. At those odds we think Austin Dillon is worth a wager and make him our second pick to win the race.

Austin DillonTo win Daytona 500
★★★★★
+2800
Bet now

Don’t forget to check out our BetOnline sportsbook review for more information about their new customers offer that you can claim!

Joey Logano +1400

Finally, we’re going for Joey Logano. He won here in 2015. Yes, it was a long time ago, but he’s still shown he can win on this track over this distance. And as we all know, Logano is the current Cup Series champion. So with confidence sky-high, we make Joey Logano our final pick to win the 2023 Daytona 500.

Joey LoganoTo win Daytona 500
★★★★★
+1400
Bet now
Dean Etheridge

Hailing from Coventry, England, Dean brings his British wit to every piece he pens. A true lover of a good wager, Dean's passion for both sports and writing has merged into the world of sports betting. Dean is the mastermind behind his very own soccer and cricket betting platforms. As the owner and editor of a renowned football betting website, Dean has established himself as a force within the industry. His expertise as a freelance content writer is centered in the realms of football, cricket and Formula 1. From breaking down odds to unraveling strategies, Dean's writing radiates an unmatched love for sports. When he’s not immersed in sports betting, Dean enjoyes exploring new culinary delights, conquering the latest car racing video games, or getting lost in the pages of a novel.