Last year, Greg picked the least amount of winners (18-for-36) but got the win while Eric and CJ picked up their 19th and 20th respecive wins of the season in Phoenix to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Greg DePalma
RECORD: 18 for 36
TOTAL: -1,366
Eric Smith
RECORD: 19 for 36
TOTAL: -1,517
CJ Radune
RECORD: 20 for 36
TOTAL: -1,750
This year, we start off at Daytona once again for the 65th annual Daytona 500. Below are our picks with trends, analysis and more.
To watch our preview show, click here
RACE FUTURES: DAYTONA 500
12-1…R Blaney, C Elliott, D Hamlin and K Larson
14-1…Kyle B and J Logano
16-1…W Byron and R Chastain
18-1…B Keselowski and B Wallace
20-1…A Cindric and T Reddick
25-1…C Bell, A Bowman, A Dillon and K Harvick
30-1…C Buescher, C Briscoe, E Jones, R Preece, R Stenhouse Jr., D Suarez and M Truex Jr.
35-1…M McDowell
40-1…AJ Allmendinger,A Almirola, T Gibbs, J Haley and J Johnson
50-1…N Gragson
70-1…H Burton
100-1…T Gilliland and C LaJoie
150-1…T Dillon
NOTE: Each analyst has a weekly wagering limit of $100.
NOTE: The weekly wagering limits will increase $100 for each playoff round ending with a $500 wagering limit for the Championship Four race.
Greg DePalma
R Blaney…12-1…$25 ($300)
C Elliott…12-1…$11 ($132)
K Busch…14-1…$12 ($168)
B Wallace…18-1…$8 ($144)
T Reddick…20-1…$7 ($140)
C Briscoe…30-1…$4 ($120)
C Buescher…30-1…$4 ($120)
R Preece…30-1…$4 ($120)
M Truex Jr…30-1…$6 ($180)
E Jones…30-1…$6 ($180)
AJ Allmendinger…40-1…$5 ($200)
J Haley…40-1…$3 ($120)
R Gragson…50-1…$2 ($100)
H Burton…70-1…$2 ($140)
C Lajoie…100-1…$1 ($100)
CJ Radune
R Blaney…12-1…$11 ($132)
C Elliott…12-1…$10 ($120)
D Hamlin…12-1…$10 ($120)
K Larson…12-1…$10 ($120)
K Busch…14-1…$10 ($140)
J Logano…14-1…$10 ($140)
B Wallace…18-1…$8 ($144)
B Keselowski…18-1…$8 ($144)
A Dillon…25-1…$6 ($150)
C Buescher…30-1…$5 ($150)
E Jones…30-1…$5 ($150)
R Stenhouse Jr…30-1…$5 ($150)
C Lajoie…100-1…$2 ($200)
Eric Smith
R Blaney…12-1…$17 ($204)
D Hamlin…12-1…$15 ($180)
K Busch…14-1…$10 ($140)
B Wallace…18-1…$11 ($198)
A Dillon…25-1…$5 ($125)
K Harvick…25-1…$10 ($250)
C Briscoe…30-1…$5 ($150)
R Preece…30-1…$5 ($150)
E Jones…30-1…$5 ($150)
M McDowell…35-1…$5 ($175)
A Almirola…40-1…$5 ($200)
R Gragson…50-1…$4 ($200)
C Lajoie…100-1…$2 ($200)
T Dillon…150-1…$1 ($150)
Daytona 500 Trends
Don’t Count On The Front Row
o The pole winner hasn’t won this race in 23 years. In fact, 17 of the last 21 races have seen the pole winner finish outside of the top 10. The last five pole winners have failed to even get to 16th in the end with the best result since 2015 being 14th by Elliott in 2017. Furthermore, the last time the pole winner even finished in the top five was 2002 (Bill Elliott). The average finishing spot for the pole winner is now 16.83.
o The last win for the second-place starter came in 1993 (Dale Jarrett). They have only finished in the top 10 just four times since 2006. Just five time in the last 27 years has the second-place starter came home with a top five finish even. This average finishing spot for the second place starter is 16.39.
Avoid Duel Winners From Thursday Night
o The last driver to win a Duel and the Daytona 500 in the same year was Matt Kenseth in 2012. He’s the only one to do so in the last 18 years. It’s only happened five times since 1996 at that.
Starting Position Matters
o 9 of the last 11 years in the Daytona 500, has the winner come from the first 7 Rows of the official starting lineup. But, with the top 4 starters already eliminated, we can now eliminate 15th-40th among the ones that have won a Cup race before too and focus on starters 5th-14th.
Steer Clear Of Defending Daytona 500 Champion (Austin Cindric)
o In 2020, Denny Hamlin became just the fourth driver to win back-to-back Daytona 500’s. Richard Petty did it in 1973 and 1974. Cale Yarborough did it in 1983 and 1984. Sterling Marlin was the last to do so in 1994 and again in 1995. The odds don’t look favorable for Austin Cindric to repeat on Sunday.
Steer Clear Of Defending Series Champion (Joey Logano)
o Only six times has the reigning Cup Series champion also came down to Daytona the next February and actually won the Daytona 500. The last time that it actually happened was in the year 2000. Its only happened twice since 1978 overall.
Steer Clear Of Any Series Champion (Logano, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski)
o None of the last 12 points paying Daytona races were won by a series champion in general.
Last Lap Pass For The Win
o 5 of the last 7 years have seen a final pass for the win on the final lap.
Winner Could Lead Just The Final Lap
o 3 of the last 6 years the race winner led just 1 lap all day – the final one.
First-time Cup Series winners at Daytona happen often
They say you always remember the ‘first-time’ and Daytona International Speedway has been known for making memories that last in the NASCAR Cup Series.
In total 17 different drivers have scored their first NASCAR Cup Series career pole at Daytona International Speedway and 23 different drivers have won their first race in the NASCAR Cup Series at the 2.5-mile track.
Daytona International Speedway has seen a first-time winner in at least one of its NASCAR Cup Series races in the last five consecutive seasons (2018-2022).
| First Time Pole Winners | Season | First Time Race Winners | Season |
| William Byron | 2019 | Austin Cindric | 2022 |
| Chase Elliott | 2016 | Michael McDowell | 2021 |
| Austin Dillon | 2014 | William Byron | 2020 |
| Danica Patrick | 2013 | Justin Haley | 2019 |
| Paul Menard | 2008 | Erik Jones | 2018 |
| Greg Biffle | 2004 | Aric Almirola | 2014 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 2002 | David Ragan | 2011 |
| Kevin Harvick | 2002 | Trevor Bayne | 2011 |
| Mike Skinner | 1997 | Greg Biffle | 2003 |
| Dale Jarrett | 1995 | Michael Waltrip | 2001 |
| Loy Allen Jr | 1994 | John Andretti | 1997 |
| Sterling Marlin | 1991 | Jimmy Spencer | 1994 |
| Greg Sacks | 1990 | Sterling Marlin | 1994 |
| Geoff Bodine | 1982 | Derrike Cope | 1990 |
| Ramo Stott | 1976 | Greg Sacks | 1985 |
| Charlie Glotzbach | 1968 | Pete Hamilton | 1970 |
| Darel Dieringer | 1964 | Mario Andretti | 1967 |
| Earl Balmer | 1966 | ||
| Sam McQuagg | 1966 | ||
| A.J. Foyt | 1964 | ||
| Bobby Isaac | 1964 | ||
| Johnny Rutherford | 1963 | ||
| Tiny Lund | 1963 | ||
Of the 64 DAYTONA 500 races in the books, nine times a driver has posted his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory with a win in the event; the most recent to accomplish the feat was Team Penske’s Austin Cindric last season.
| First-Time Winners in DAYTONA 500 | Seasons |
| Tiny Lund | 1963 |
| Mario Andretti | 1967 |
| Pete Hamilton | 1970 |
| Derrike Cope | 1990 |
| Sterling Marlin | 1994 |
| Michael Waltrip | 2001 |
| Trevor Bayne | 2011 |
| Michael McDowell | 2021 |
| Austin Cindric | 2022 |
Three other drivers posted their career-first NASCAR Cup Series victory in (points-paying) qualifying races at Daytona: Johnny Rutherford (1963), Bobby Isaac (1964) and Earl Balmer (1966).
Looking at the entry list for this season’s DAYTONA 500, 15 drivers will be attempting to earn their first series win this weekend – Harrison Burton, Conor Daly, Ty Dillon, Ty Gibbs, Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Austin Hill, Corey Lajoie, B.J. McLeod, Travis Pastrana, Ryan Preece, Chandler Smith, Zane Smith, and Cody Ware.
Daytona 500 Track Analysis
Daytona International Speedway is a fast 2.5-mile high banked superspeedway that differs from all but one other track on the schedule – Talladega. These two tracks produce four of the 36 points paying races over the course of a season and look entirely different than the other 32 events.
That’s because they use a tapered spacer on the engines to restrict speeds and by the design of the aerodynamic package used on these two tracks, it forms a pack to race in. Basically, these cars are flat out pedal to the metal without using the brake pedal and all are pretty much going the same speed. Drafting is key here and that on it’s own is an art itself.
The good ones on these tracks are good for a reason and can sense when the pack is getting too aggressive and sometimes find a way out of it in order to avoid the incoming carnage. However, there are times too on where they can’t get out in time and end up wadded up in the infield like the rest of them.
That’s why winning at Daytona is like winning the lottery. It’s as even of a race for ever car and driver combination as you’ll get all season.
Weather can sometimes impact this race which could alter strategy. Lap 101 would make this an official race.
Nothing has changed on the track since last year, so what you saw a year ago is what you’ll get this time around.
Tires aren’t usually a factor here since there’s minimal tire wear.
Daytona 500 Favorites
Denny Hamlin (+1300)
Pretty low odds for a superspeedway race, especially for a driver that has won the Daytona 500 in 3 of the last 7 years including two of the last 4 at that. One could say Hamlin is this generation’s Dale Earnhardt as he’s more times than not, a contender of winning on all four points paying stops on them. Since 2012, he’s finished outside the Top-5 in just three of his 11 Daytona 500 tries. No one else has been better in that span. Plus, Hamlin seems to find peace in the midst of tragedy. JD Gibbs passed away in the January before the 2019 Daytona 500. The reason Hamlin is in the No. 11 is because of JD. They were close. Hamlin won that year. Last November, another member of the Gibbs family tragically passed. It was JD’s brother. Hamlin in a contract year could give this Gibbs family some peace with a fourth victory in this prestigious race. When someone’s back is against the wall, give me Hamlin to fight through it.
Ryan Blaney (+1300)
Where Hamlin is this generation’s Dale Earnhardt, Ryan Blaney is on the verge of becoming the next Denny Hamlin. Blaney won the summer Daytona race in 2021 and also had two prior wins at Talladega too. 6 of his last 8 Daytona results overall (counting the summer ‘400) have been inside of the top 6. Last year’s loss in the end (4th) still resonates with him as the sting still burns. He’s had two Top-4 finishes in his last three Great American Races and it would be fitting to enter the 2023 season on the heels of going winless in all of 2022 to win the first race out of the gates.
Ross Chastain (+2000)
The Watermelon Man is good on superspeedways. Chastain won an Xfinity Series race here in Daytona in July 2019 and while he was 40th in this past year’s Daytona 500, he was also 2nd in both Atlanta races and won at Talladega last spring too. No one’s stock rose higher than that of Chastain’s a season ago and what better way to build off of a dream 2022 than winning the Daytona 500 to kick start an even better 2023? Chastain is a Florida native born of watermelon farmers. What a story this could be. He had four straight Top-4 finishes to close out last season.
Bubba Wallace (+2000)
One could say 2021 was Wallace’s break out season. One could also say that 2022 was as well. What about 2023? Bubba was runner-up in two of his last three overall Daytona starts. He won the Fall Talladega race in October of 2021. In five career Daytona 500 appearances, he has a pair of runner-up finishes. Bridesmaid no more, Wallace is poised to score his third career win in Sunday’s race. Logano’s motto last year was 22 in ’22. Can Wallace be 23 in ’23?
Daytona 500 Sleepers
Brad Keselowski (+1800)
You can never count him out on superspeedway’s. He was a last lap crash away from a the very least a top two finish in the 2021 Daytona 500. Keselowski also led lot of laps in last February’s Daytona 500 (finished 9th) including a Duel win 3 days prior. He’s 0-for-13 in this race however.
Austin Cindric (+2500)
Trends aren’t on his side for a back-to-back win but he was first and third respectively on this track in 2022.
Austin Dillon (+3000)
He won a the summer race at Daytona last August. He also won a Duel in 2021 and was third in the Great American race that year as well. He’s also a past Daytona 500 champion (2018).
Erik Jones (+3000)
He won the ‘400 in 2018 and won the Clash in 2020. He also had a top 5 going last February before being caught up in that late race crash.
Kevin Harvick (+3000)
Sentimental favorite here. He’s a past Daytona 500 champion (2007) and has a pair of Top-5 finishes in his last three Daytona 500 starts as well. This will mark his final Daytona 500 as he’ll retire at seasons end.
Ryan Preece (+3500)
A pair of Top-10 finishes in three Daytona 500 tries and those came with JTG Daugherty Racing. Imagine what he can do in a Stewart-Haas Racing Ford this time around.
Aric Almirola (+4000)
Definitely one of the strongest of the sleepers. Almirola has been close to winning this race a number of times including a fifth place run last year. 2 of his 3 Cup wins were on superspeedway’s too.
Chase Briscoe (+4000)
Fresh off a new contract extension and a third place run last February here. Briscoe marched all the way to the Round of 8 a year ago.
Chris Buescher (+4000)
He has five top 10 finishes in his last 11 Daytona starts. He was third in the 2020 Daytona 500 and ninth in the ‘400 that year. He crossed the finish line 2nd in last year’s 400 before a penalty negated that. He won a Duel last February too.
Michael McDowell (+4000)
He won the 2021 Daytona 500, was fifth in the 2019 Daytona 500 and ninth in the 2018 Daytona 500. Furthermore, since July 2014, the Arizona native has seven Top-10 finishes in his last 16 Daytona starts and with teams like Leavine Family Racing and Front Row Motorsports at that. He was seventh last February as well as eighth and third respectively in 2022 at Talladega too.
Justin Haley (+5000)
Among the top superspeedway racers in the sport today. His only Cup win came here in Daytona a couple of years ago in the Coke Zero Sugar 400. He’s also scored eight career NASCAR national series victories and five of them have been at either Talladega or Daytona. That’s saying something.
Noah Gragson (+5000)
Could be like Cindric last year. A series rookie this season but not for this race. He looked good last year here before being caught up in that end of the race crash and is arguably a really good superspeedway racer in general. Gragson was fifth in last year’s ‘400 in August as well as winning the 2020 Xfinity Series season opener here too. He also won the 2022 spring race at Talladega in the Xfinity Series as well.
AJ Allmendinger (+5000)
These aren’t his favorite tracks but Kaulig has great speedway cars and Allmendinger has two straight Top-10 finishes in this race and each occurring with JTG. I’d not be shocked if he can find a way to put this car in victory lane on Sunday.
Harrison Burton (+7500)
In four Daytona starts in the Xfinity Series, his worst finish is ninth (Aug. 2021). His other three finishes were second and third respectively during Speedweeks and fifth in Aug. 2020. Last February, he looked great and led some laps before being knocked on his lid during a midrace crash.
Corey LaJoie (+10000)
He was eighth and ninth the last two years in the Daytona 500, sixth in the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400, had a fast car in last year’s race and was a lap away from an Atlanta win last July.
Ty Dillon (+20000)
The younger brother of Austin has three Top-6 finishes in his last 5 Daytona starts including a sixth place run in the 2020 Daytona 500 and a top 10 going in last year’s Daytona 500 to where he finished 11th.
Daytona 500 Fades
Chase Elliott (+1200)
The good? He was runner-up in the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400, runner-up in the 2020 Daytona 500, 8th in the 2020 Coke Zero Sugar 400 400, 10th in this last year’s Daytona 500 to go along with 6th in Atlanta 1, 7th in Talladega 1 and a win in Atlanta 2 and Talladega 2 last year. The bad? He has finished 30th or worse in almost half of his 12 Daytona starts. In fact, he’s been 14th or worse in all but two starts. Elliott’s other Daytona 500 finishes are – 37th, 14th, 33rd, 17th, 17th and 10th respectively. Too much good and bad for me to wager on him for these odds.
Kyle Larson (+1200)
Larson has never won a superspeedway race and has just 1 top 5 in 35 starts on them at that. He was 32nd and 37th at Daytona last year.
Joey Logano (+1400)
These were arguably his worst tracks last season. Logano was 21st in the Daytona 500, 9th in Atlanta 1, 32nd in Talladega 1, 26th in Atlanta 2, 12th in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 and 27th in Talladega respectively. He was also 26th and 27th respectively in the pair of Daytona races in 2020 and 12th and 23rd in 2021.
William Byron (+1700)
His Daytona 500 finishes? 23rd, 21st, 40th, 26th and 38th respectively.
Kyle Busch (+1800)
He’s finished 20th or worse in seven of his last 11 Daytona starts. He is also 0-for-17 in the Great American Race too.
Tyler Reddick (+2000)
Second last August but 35th in last year’s Daytona 500. His previous three Daytona 500 finishes are: 27th, 28th and 27th respectively.
Alex Bowman (+3000)
Always quick here, no Top-5 finishes to show for it either.
Christopher Bell (+3000)
Was only 21st and 13th here in 2020, 16th and 32nd in 2021 and 34th and 36th respectively last year.
Martin Truex Jr. (+4000)
Yes, he swept both stages back in February of last year, but he also still finished 13th too in doing so. He’s 0-for-73 in drafting races if you include both Atlanta events last season and has scored just 6 top 5’s in those 73 starts. He has 3 top 5’s in 35 Daytona tries at that.
Daniel Suarez (+4000)
He’s not had any Daytona success in the past with a best result of 17th. His other finishes with the exception of one have all been outside the top 20.
Ty Gibbs (+5000)
A rookie making his first Daytona 500 start isn’t a likely winner. They’re 2-for-64.
Todd Gilliland (+10000)
He was 33rd and 23rd respectively at Daytona a year ago.
To check out Eric’s top-5 storylines for the Daytona 500, go to RaceReviewOnline.net or click here… https://racereviewonline.net/2023/02/13/top-5-storylines-for-this-years-65th-annual-daytona-500-230-p-m-et-fox-mrn/
For Eric’s 5 hot takes ahead of the 2023 NASCAR Cup season, click here… https://racereviewonline.net/2023/02/13/5-hot-takes-ahead-of-the-2023-nascar-cup-series-season/
For our 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season preview show including championship predictions and our live fantasy draft, click here… https://youtu.be/OVFFdxNsEzo
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If you would like to know how to handicap the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, check out Eric’s analysis, insight, trends and more…
Here are some more details on several key rules changes in NASCAR for 2023… https://racereviewonline.net/2023/01/31/nascar-makes-several-rule-changes-for-2023-including-no-stage-breaks-at-select-tracks-banning-chastain-move-my-take/
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To check out CJ Radune’s latest motorsports coverage from Rotowire.com click here…https://www.rotowire.com/racing/
For Eric’s weekly NASCAR race preview and picks at Covers.com go to https://www.covers.com/writers/auto-racing-advisor
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