Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win the Daytona 500
Alex Bowman
Bowman had a fantastic season in the silliness of 2020. And now, he’s driving the iconic 48. There’s something special that happens when you take over the number of a legend, and I think Bowman is going to live up to his full potential this year. Watch this guy make some cool moves and hold his own for a Daytona 500 win. Did I mention he’s on the pole?
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 2
Denny Hamlin
Is Denny Hamlin the King of the Daytona 500? Sure looks that way with top three finishes four times in the last six races. Sometimes he takes a big risk that sets viewers on the edge of their seats, and the risk pays off quite often. But sometimes it doesn’t, and that’s when he ends up finishing in the upper 20s. But this is Daytona, baby, and I think the risks will pay off for a big win to start 2021.
Wins at Daytona: 3
Top 5 finishes: 10
Top 10 finishes: 11
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney has had four accidents at Daytona and one engine failure. That’s five DNFs at this track. But when he actually finishes the race, he finishes very well. Blaney was involved in the BIG wreck last year at the 500, and I think he’d like to get past that memory with a trip to victory lane on Sunday.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 4
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for the Daytona 500
Austin Dillon
Austin Dillon is no slouch at Daytona. Does anyone remember when he and his crew slid through the wet grass after his first 500 win? This guy has so much heart and love for the sport, it’s always fun to see him in victory lane. Take your chances on the No. 3 on Sunday and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Wins at Daytona: 1
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 7
Bubba Wallace
It’s a new day and a new team for Mister Darrell Wallace Jr. Out of Richard Petty Motorsports and into 23XI Racing, Bubba has the team he needs to take his past experience and mold it into something magical at the Daytona 500. This is always an exciting race, and after such an insane 2020 season, nothing would surprise me less.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 2
Ryan Newman
Am I playing into fantasy by thinking that maybe Newman will come back for a dramatic win at the race that landed him in the hospital a year ago? Kinda, but kinda not. Believe it or not, Newman’s numbers at Daytona have been consistent over the past few years and I think he has something personal to overcome. I’m putting him in as a NASCAR sleeper pick just because I believe this guy has at least one more 500 up his sleeve.
Wins at Daytona: 1
Top 5 finishes: 6
Top 10 finishes: 12
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup this week
Kyle Larson
Larson made the best of what he had to work with when he drove the 42 for Ganassi. And he was pretty darned good. Now he’s come over to Mr. H’s team and I expect him to be full-on, hard core this season. But—it’s too soon to count him in for the 500. Take a pass on the latest driver of the Hendrick No. 5.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 4
Martin Truex Jr.
Yeah, I feel like every year I’m telling the world to forget Truex in the 500. And with good reason. See those numbers below? Yeah, that’s out of 31 times. Just let the No. 19 ride in the back for a while and bring him back out when we get to a better track.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 3
Top 10 finishes: 5
Christopher Bell
Hey, I’m just as hyped as the next NASCAR fan to see Bell take the reins of the No. 20 for Gibbs, but I’m also aware that this is a rough race for any driver, let alone an inexperienced one. It’s the Daytona 500 , so anything can happen, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen for Bell this year.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 0
