Folks, we are just over two months away from the 2024 Daytona 500 and that means it is time for the opening odds to come out. NASCAR is over for this year, but the next season is so close. The Daytona 500 is going to kick off another great season of stock car racing.
These early odds are always fun. It gives fans something to talk about, bettors something to put money on – it also lets you know what Vegas thinks about these drivers. I’d also say these opening odds reveal something about the new cars in the Cup Series.
In the opening odds for the Daytona 500, NASCAR on NBC has Ryan Blaney as the favorite at 9-1 odds. He is followed by Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott, and Brad Keselowski at 11-1 odds.
William Byron and Denny Hamlin are both +1200. Joey Logano is listed at +1400. The rest of the top-10 in the opening odds are Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, and Christopher Bell at +1600 odds.
The Daytona 500 odds tell me a few things – Ford and the new Dark Horse might be the best on superspeedways. Four Ford drivers in the top-10 of the odds. Keselowski pushed Buescher to the win at Daytona for the regular season finale this season. That is a good pick.
Joey Logano and Kyle Busch were right there with a chance to win at the end of the race this year. But they fell short. Also, very interesting that Elliott is favored so much in this whole thing. Hamlin and Bell are holding it down for the Toyotas in the opening odds.
2024 Daytona 500 will be here soon
Looking at the list, I think that’s a strong group. Blaney is the reigning champion, and he’s great on superspeedways. The Hendrick cars are able to group up and draft very well. However, I’m interested to see if the Chevys can push as well as Ford and Toyota after the new car swaps.
The Mustang Dark Horse and Camry XSE will bring a new challenge for Chevy. The Camaros are almost in limbo here. Chevy is ending the production of the Camaro, but GM can keep using the car for a couple of years.
Then again, why would they keep using a car they don’t make anymore? That’s not the point, the point is – they might be in trouble on these drafting tracks.
If you look at that list of drivers and ask me who gives you the best odds, best bang for your buck if you will – I’d say Logano or Hamlin. Joey was so close a year ago, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. just edged him out. Hamlin is looking to bounce back after shoulder surgery and a disappointing end to 2023 – another Daytona 500 would make him feel a whole lot better.