2019 Daytona 500 Betting Odds, Guide and Best Bets to Back

Pete Pistone

February 8th, 2019

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2019 Daytona 500 Betting Tips

NASCAR starts its 2019 season with the biggest race of the year the Daytona 500. The annual February pilgrimage to “The World Center of Racing” is set for the 61st renewal and kicks off the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

The nature of racing at Daytona, with its complex combination of high speeds and drafting, provides an environment quite capable of producing upset winners.

Austin Dillon proved that point last year coming into the race not among the favorites, but leaving a Daytona champion thanks to a dramatic last lap move for the win.

That’s not to imply a certain skill set and talent isn’t necessary in order to succeed at Daytona with its unique restrictor plate racing, which is unlike any other track on the schedule except for sister speedway Talladega.

There are a number of drivers who have mastered the ability to be among the favorites and run upfront around the 2.5-mile high-banked track on a regular basis.

Also keep in mind in this year’s NASCAR betting season a new policy put into place for post-race inspection. NASCAR will now strip wins away from a driver with a car found to be outside the rulebook and illegal with the victory going to the next legal finisher.

The process is expected to take approximately 90 minute after the checkered flag before declaration of an official winner is made, a policy that begins with the Daytona 500.

The Favorites

Brad Keselowski (+800): One of Roger Penske’s drivers, Keselowski is considered one of NASCAR’s premiere superspeedway drivers.

However don’t let his numbers at Daytona tell you otherwise. He has just one win at the track (in the annual July race) and has been involved in accidents over his last four starts.

But Keselowski will qualify well and be at the front of the field as is usually the case this year in hopes of a much better finish. Bet on him with 888Sport.

Joey Logano (+900): The reigning series champion is a teammate of Keselowski’s and is a former Daytona 500 winner (2015). He has a string of four straight top-five finishes dating back to that victory. Bet on him with Karamba.

Kevin Harvick (+1000): Harvick has two overall Daytona Cup wins including a 500 victory. Like Keselowski, his recent stats don’t match up with how well Harvick runs at the track and he’s been knocked out by an accident in four of the last five Daytona races.

But in each case Harvick was eliminated running at the front of the field and challenging for the win. Bet on him with Betfair.

The Safe Bets

Denny Hamlin (+1200): The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has the best average finish of current drivers with 10 or more Daytona starts at 11.5, including a streak of top-five finishes that culminated with a 2016 win.

Hamlin went winless last year for the first time in his career, has a new crew chief in Chris Gabehart and has much to prove this year. Bet on him with 888Sport.

Austin Dillon (+3300): Last year’s 500 winner might have had long odds to win, but his Daytona track record is stellar. Dillon is right behind Hamlin on the average finish chart at 11.6 and seven top-10 performances in those last 10 starts. Bet on him with Karamba.

Kyle Busch (+1400): The mercurial Busch has a love-hate relationship with Daytona and is in search of his first 500 victory. But there isn’t a track on the circuit where Busch is not a threat to win including Daytona. Bet on him with 888Sport.

The Long Shots

Matt DiBenedetto (+12500): He has a new home this year with Leavine Family Racing and has been a perennial fan favorite underdog in recent years with smaller teams.

DiBendetto actually had a shot to win last year’s race and now with a stronger team and manufacturer (Toyota) is an absolute solid long-shot pick. Bet on him with Betfair.

Michael McDowell (+6600): The veteran has bounced around with smaller teams during his Cup career but his current organization Front Row Motorsports has some added resources this year, including more support for powerhouse Ford.

McDowell was fourth and ninth in two of the last three Daytona races. Bet on him with 888Sport.

Manufacturer Bets

Ford (-112) been the dominant manufacturer in plate racing the last five years led by Team Penske and teammate Keselowski and Logano. Ford drivers have won five of the last nine Daytona races Bet on Ford with 888Sport.