It’s that time of year, folks! The Super Bowl of NASCAR is here—the Daytona 500. This isn’t just another race; this is 500 miles of chaos, speed, and history in the making. Buckle up, because we’re diving into the best bets for the Great American Race.

 

 

 

Dayton 500 Best Bets: Driver Shake-Ups

The 2025 season has brought a tidal wave of changes. Keeping track of who’s where feels like studying for a NASCAR final exam, but here’s a crash course:

  • Chase Briscoe takes over the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing after Martin Truex Jr.’s retirement.
  • Josh Berry now pilots the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing.
  • Noah Gragson moves to the No. 4 Ford at Front Row Motorsports.
  • Justin Haley stays in the No. 7 Chevy for Spire Motorsports.
  • Ty Dillon gets a fresh start in Kaulig Racing’s No. 10.
  • AJ Allmendinger returns full-time in Kaulig’s No. 16.
  • Riley Herbst debuts as a Rookie of the Year contender in 23XI Racing’s No. 35.
  • Cole Custer is back in a full-time Cup ride with the new Haas Factory Team in the No. 41.
  • Ryan Preece heads to RFK Racing’s No. 60 as the team expands.
  • Michael McDowell joins Spire Motorsports in the No. 71.
  • Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champ, enters the Cup Series in Trackhouse Racing’s No. 88.

There’s a lot to process, but one thing’s for sure: this season is going to be a wild ride.
 

 

 

Daytona 500 Best Bets: Winner Predictions

Kyle Busch (+1300, FanDuel Sportsbook)

Busch starts P21, but don’t let that scare you. Busch has the best average finish (9.3) at Daytona over the last six races, tied with another driver we’ll mention soon. After a year to forget, Busch is hungry to start strong. There’s no better way than to finally win his first Daytona 500. He’s led laps in five of the last six Daytona 500s—he’s always in the mix.

Ryan Blaney (+1200, FanDuel Sportsbook)

Blaney looked terrible in practice and qualifying, and his Duel race wasn’t great either. But here’s the thing: it’s Ryan freaking Blaney. He’s one of the best superspeedway racers in the field. In the last 10 Daytona races, Blaney has five top-10 finishes when he’s avoided wrecks. If he stays clean, he’ll be fighting for the checkered flag.

Denny Hamlin (+1400, BetMGM)

Hamlin starts 8th, and after a down year (by his standards), he’s looking to make a statement. He won this race in 2019 and 2020, proving he knows how to get it done. Hamlin has led 28 or more laps in six of the last eight Daytona 500s—he’s always a factor.

 

 

 

Daytona 500 Predictions 2025 - Mid-Range Picks

Bubba Wallace (+2600, FanDuel Sportsbook)

Bubba is the other driver tied with Busch for the best average finish at Daytona over the last six races (9.3). Daytona is his best track, period. He’s finished top 5 in three of the last six 500s. Won his Duel race, proving he has speed. Don’t sleep on Bubba starting the season with a statement win.

Chase Briscoe (+2800, FanDuel Sportsbook)

Briscoe is the first Toyota on the Daytona 500 pole since 1998 (Bobby Labonte). The pole sitter hasn’t won since 2000 (Dale Jarrett), but Briscoe is in better equipment now with the No. 19 team. He’s been fast all week, and with a strong pit crew behind him, he could break the streak.

Austin Cindric (+2200, Caesars Sportsbook)

Cindric won Duel 2 on Thursday night. He also won the 2022 Daytona 500 as a rookie. Penske cars always perform well in superspeedway races, making him a great bet. A top-5 finish at +250 is another bet I love.

 

 

 

Daytona 500 Predictions 2025 - Long Shot Winners

Ryan Preece (+4400, FanDuel Sportsbook) 

Preece starts 27th, but now drives for RFK Racing, which means better equipment. He has two top-10 finishes in the last four Daytona 500s. A top-10 finish at +220 is a fantastic value play.

Michael McDowell (+5000, DraftKings Sportsbook)

McDowell is the 2021 Daytona 500 winner. He moves from Ford to Chevy—Chevys have won the last two 500s and lead all-time wins at Daytona (26 vs. Ford’s 17). He has a top-10 finish in four of the last seven Daytona races. A top-10 finish at +195 is great value.

Cole Custer (+9000, DraftKings Sportsbook)

Custer the 2020 NASCAR Rookie of the Year, returns to full-time Cup racing after dominating Xfinity. He finished 9th and 13th in the last two Xfinity Daytona races. In 2021, he started 27th and finished 11th in the Daytona 500. Now, he’s an even more polished driver. A top-10 finish at +330? Yes, please!

 

 

 

NASCAR Picks: Daytona 500 Props - Daytona International Speedway

If you’re looking for outright winners, Kyle Busch (+1300) and Ryan Blaney (+1200) are my favorite picks. If you want value plays, Bubba Wallace (+2600) and Austin Cindric (+2200) are strong bets. For longshots, Michael McDowell (+5000) and Cole Custer (+9000) offer huge upside.

But let’s not forget top-10 bets, which often provide great payouts with less risk:

Ryan Preece top-10 (+220) Michael McDowell top-10 (+195) Cole Custer top-10 (+330)

The Daytona 500 is unpredictable, but that’s exactly why we love it. Fasten your seatbelts, grab a cold one, and let’s cash some bets!