Daytona 500 odds and best bets

Whether you are an auto racing fan or not you know all about the Daytona 500, one of the biggest events on the sporting calendar every season.  Sunday is the day for this annual premier event, so if you thought you had the day off the weekend after the Super Bowl, you were mistaken.

For those with short memories last year we had a total longshot win the event, Michael McDowell at 66-to-1 (due to a crash). That kind of payout can make your whole racing season! Just don't go expecting that is going to happen two seasons in a row; that is a sure way to throw away your money. 

Denny Hamlin is the favorite to win the big race this season. He has won the race three times in his career, 2016, 2019 and 2020.

Top Odds

• Denny Hamlin +950
• Kyle Larson +950
• Chase Elliott +1200
• Ryan Blaney +1200
• Joey Logano +1300
• Brad Keselowski +1500
• Kevin Harvick +1700
• William Byron +1700
• Kyle Busch +1700
• Bubba Wallace +1900

Some bets to consider

Joey Logano +1300

Logano was in the lead before a late crash opened the door for another racer. He has won the race before, back in 2015, and is very comfortable on this track. Pretty good payout to finish what he started last season. 

Alex Bowman +2000

He is starting out front again but hoping to avoid last year's fate where he crashed out relatively early into the race. He has never finished better than 11th, but at least he is positioned well to give it a great shot. A nice value outside of the top 10.

Kevin Harvick +130 vs. Chase Elliott

Racing might not have as many betting options as some other sports, but the head-to-head stuff is kind of fun — especially if something happens to one racer early, it can be very easy money. Harvick has had a ton of success at Daytona. He has four top-five finishes over the last seven years. This feels like an overpay spot on Elliot, who finished second last year but does not have the same history of success.