Daytona 500 Bets & DFS Plays
The 2023 NASCAR season kicks off with the 65th running of the Daytona 500 at the “World Center of Racing,” Daytona International Speedway. This year’s field is features seven former winners who account for 10 wins in the Great American Race. That list includes 2022 Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric, 7-time Champion Jimmie Johnson, who has won twice, and Denny Hamlin who has visited Daytona’s victory lane three times in his career.
In this article you will get betting and NASCAR DFS lineup advice to help you get ready for Sunday’s Daytona 500.
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2023 Daytona 500 Bets
$1500 – Denny Hamlin to win (+1200)
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, is the favorite to win the Daytona 500 and he should be. Hamlin has won this race three times in his career in 2016, 2019 and 2020. He’s consistently a threat to win at any super speedway and the stats show it. In the last five Daytona 500’s, Hamlin has either won or finished inside the top five four times. Can Denny Hamlin make it four wins in the Great American Race? We’ll have to see, but I believe he’ll be at the front at the end come Sunday. He’s at the top of my Daytona 500 bets.
$1000 – Bubba Wallace top three (+450)
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Toyota for 23XI Racing, is another driver who is very strong on super speedways, especially Daytona. In the last five races at Daytona, Bubba Wallace has finished inside the top-five three times. Two of those races, Bubba finished second place. It’s only a matter of time before Bubba Wallace visits victory lane at Daytona, but if it’s not this year, you know he’ll be someone close to the front at the end.
$1000 – Justin Haley top five (+550)
Justin Haley, driver of the #31 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, is a sneaky good super speedway racer. Yes, he has a win at Daytona already in his career, but that was a shortened race due to weather. Outside of that win, in five starts at Daytona, Haley has finished inside the top five twice and inside the top five once. Kaulig Racing always seems to have great speed on these tracks and I don’t expect anything different this season. Haley is a sneaky pick to win, but I would be more confident in a top five.
$750 – Noah Gragson top 10 (+110)
Noah Gragson, driver of the #42 Chevrolet for Legacy Motor Club, joins the Cup Series for his rookie season, but by no means is he a rookie to Daytona International Speedway. In the NXS, he made a name for himself as one of the most aggressive drivers and one of the best on the super speedways. In his two starts at Daytona in the Cup Series, Gragson has a top five with his fifth-place finish last season. Noah Gragson will surprise a lot of fans this season and that starts this weekend at Daytona.
$750 – Jimmie Johnson top 10 (+110)
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #84 Chevrolet for Legacy Motor Club, returns to the NASCAR Cup Series driving for his own team in 2023. Johnson has won the Daytona 500 twice previously and in qualifying showed real speed in his new ride. Jimmie Johnson is a smart driver and can outrun most on any track style, but at Daytona, he seems to find the front at the end. Although Johnson is only running a handful of races in 2023, most have high expectations and that should start at the Daytona 500.
Daytona 500 DFS Plays
Denny Hamlin ($10,300)
As previously stated, Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, is the top play for the Daytona 500. Hamlin has found victory lane in the Daytona 500 more than any other current driver. Denny just knows his way around Daytona and more importantly, knows exactly when to make the right move to take the lead. Denny Hamlin will be at the top of the board again at the end of the Daytona 500.
Ryan Blaney ($10,100)
Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Ford for Team Penske, is a strong DFS play at the Daytona 500. Blaney has been so close the last couple of years. That’s including last year’s fourth place finish behind teammate and winner Austin Cindric. Like Hamlin, Blaney at super speedways is a beast. He just seems to be in the right place at the right time. He may come just close enough again this season. However, one thing is for sure, Blaney will be near the front of the pack at the finish line come Sunday.
Bubba Wallace ($9,400)
A great play in DFS lineups is Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Toyota for 23XI Racing. Bubba Wallace has come so close the last couple of years and it’s because this style of racing fits his style of driving. He’s aggressive, he’s got speed, and he knows when to make the move or stay in line and take what he’s given. Bubba should always be a play when it comes to super speedways and this weekend’s Daytona 500 DFS lineup is no different.
Justin Haley ($5,600)
A deep dive play to save some money on your DFS lineups is Justin Haley, driver of the #31 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing. Haley is a great super speedway racer and seems to stay out of the big wrecks for the most part. Sometimes it seems like Haley isn’t anywhere to be found on the leaderboard. Then by the end of the race, he seems to find his way to the top. Haley is a great low-budget play for this weekend’s Daytona 500 DFS lineups.
