This weekend represents the last chance for those below the playoff line to make a move and get in, as the Coke Zero Sugar 400 is the final race before the Round of 16 starts next weekend. The drivers will be in Daytona for what should be an exciting final week of the season. We have a basic idea of who is in and who will miss out, but after watching how things played out last season, it would be crazy to say that you know who the champion will be this season. Will it be one of the men at the or near the top now, or will a dark horse come from off the pace? Before that is decided, we need to get this race out of the way, so let’s take a look at the current favorites for Sunday along with their NASCAR odds.
NASCAR Cup Series Betting: Coke Zero Sugar 400 Race Preview
Kyle Larson (+170)
It is not very often that you see these types of odds for a single race in NASCAR, but that should serve as an indication of just how good Kyle Larson has been this season. Larson is sitting atop the driver standings and has been consistently good all season long, winning 5 races and landing in the top 10 18 times in 25 races. He has established himself as the man to beat as the playoffs approach, but how will he close out the regular season. While he is the overwhelming favorite here, he has not been great at Daytona, with just 5 top 10 finishes in 14 races.
Chase Elliott (+650)
There has been a lot of talk about the defending Cup Series champion and how this has been a bit of a disappointing season. The people saying that tend to forget how he won it all in 2020, coming from behind to make a late run in the playoffs. Elliott has 2 wins on the season and is lurking among the leaders in the #4 spot at the moment. You can look at his record at Daytona and say that he has never won there, but he has also finished 2nd in each of his last 2 runs at that track. With that in mind, these odds look like a bit of a steal.
Kyle Busch (+800)
If you are looking for a driver that has a win at Daytona to wager on this weekend, then you could potentially look at Kyle Busch. Before we get to that part of the conversation, we should also mention that Busch is in very good form heading into this weekend. As for the victory at Daytona, that one came way back in 2008, although he has finished in the top 3 no less than 6 times in his career runs at the Daytona track. His recent runs there have not been so good, so this may be a risky bet.
Denny Hamlin (+800)
After a brilliant season in 2020, where he came up just short, Hamlin has been struggling a little this year. He is currently sitting down in 8th in the driver standings and is still on the lookout for his first win of the season. It should be noted, though, that he has 3 career wins at Daytona, with 2 of those coming in the last couple of years. Recent form makes him a tricky bet, but I would definitely look at a top 5 finish.
NASCAR Betting News
Odds and Lines: NASCAR Cup Series Betting | Championship | Truck Series Matchups | Xfinity Series Matchups
