RADIO
Nothing gets me more excited than waking up on the morning of the Daytona 500! And by golly, that day is drawing ever so close.
The 2021 Speedweek has been nothing short of memorable. For the first time in Busch Clash history, it was run on the road course (very entertaining race, might I add). The Daytona 500 qualifying practice session went as expected, seeing Hendrick horsepower sit atop the scoring pylon. But those Duel races? Talk about a thriller!
With that, I was sitting in the press box for those Duel races, and could see firsthand who had quick racecars ahead of the Daytona 500. Sure, you need drafting help and most importantly stay out of trouble, but having a fast car never hurts. So for this year, I'm not going to give you a lineup per se, rather, drivers that probably could or should be in your lineup based on their history at the track, or if heaven forbid there's practice!
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Denny Hamlin
(DraftKings $10,400 | FanDuel $14,000 | DK SportsBook +800 )
Straight up, Denny Hamlin is looking to make history on Sunday, becoming the first driver to ever win three consecutive Daytona 500 races. That No. 11 Toyota has looked quite sporty this week, too.
Yes, Hamlin has the added distraction of it being the first race for his new race team, 23XI Racing. But he is arguably the best driver in this era of superspeedway racing. Of course, Hamlin is the most expensive driver and odds-on favorite to win the race, so don't be a fool and center your lineup around history.
Joey Logano
(DraftKings $9,900 | FanDuel $13,000 | DK SportsBook +900)
OK, remember what I just said about Hamlin being arguably the best superspeedway driver of this era, well, Logano would beg to differ. Sure, the Connecticut native has just one Daytona 500 win (2015) to Hamlin's three, but the No. 22 car is always a factor in these races.
Let's take 2020 alone. On paper, his finishes at the four superspeedway races, well, they weren't good: 26th, 17th, 26th and 26th. However, Logano led a race-high 36 laps in the regular season finale at Daytona last August. He also led 78 laps in the two Talladega races combined, and in last year's Great American Race, led six. There's no doubt the No. 22 crew will be a factor come Sunday.
Kevin Harvick
(DraftKings $9,700 | FanDuel $12,200 | DK SportsBook +1400)
Typically, I would say stay away from Harvick at superspeedway races, as he's been inconsistent to finish these races over the years (but really, who has been), however, that No. 4 car was fasttt on Thursday evening.
Because he finished third in the race, Harvick will be credited with an eight-place starting position. The No. 4 car did lead 11 laps, and was in position to win on the final lap. However, it was he that gave Austin Dillon a shove of a lifetime, catapulting the No.3 car to victory lane. Harvick will be a factot Sunday.
Aric Almirola
(DraftKings $8,600 | FanDuel $9,500 | DK SportsBook +1600)
Please tell me you watched the first Duel race. If so, I shouldn't have to say no more. ... But I will.
Almirola is stellar on superspeedways: his two career Cup victories have come at Daytona and Talladega. But never have we seen him as dominant as he was on Thursday, leading 52 of 60 laps, holding off a hard charging Logano and Christopher Bell on the final lap.
After the race, Almirola told me that was a statement victory. And though he starts third, the No. 10 car is a steal at the price listed.
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Bubba Wallace
(DraftKings $7,400 | FanDuel $8,500 | DK SportsBook +1800)
Of all the cars in the second Duel on Thursday, I truly thought the No. 23 of Wallace was the best. I think Landon Cassill said it best on Twitter, watching Wallace in a fast car is fascinating.
When it comes to superspeedways, Wallace is just as thrilling. Flashback three years ago, he finished runner-up to Dillon. Last August, he was crashed while going for the lead and still rebounded to finish fifth.
Though starting sixth might be a concern to some, I like Wallace's chances of gifting you bigggg points.
Erik Jones
(DraftKings $7,300 | FanDuel $6,000 | DK SportsBook +6000)
So I'm probably going to contradict myself here. As noted with Almirola and Wallace starting far up in the field was an attractive get for me, Jones is also attractive due to his 31st-place starting position.
There's almost only one way to go: forward. But Jones is also a sporty superspeedway races, scoring his first career win at Daytona in 2018, while driving a car that looked similar to your local demolition derby car to the win in the Clash in 2020.
This choice is eye-opening to me, and will be one of Jones' best opportunities to win this season, now running for Richard Petty Motorsports.
Tyler Reddick
(DraftKings $7,100 | FanDuel $7,000 | DK SportsBook +5000)
When the series left Daytona last summer, Reddick was not a popular man. His aggressive driving triggered a huge pileup, leading to multiple drivers voicing their displeasure. But in these races, sometimes, that's what it takes.
Reddick also didn't have a good Duel race, but never fear, his 29th-place starting position means there's a lot of drivers to pass, meaning more points for you. Don't expect the No. 8 Chevrolet to stay in the back for very long.
Jamie McMurray
(DraftKings $6,400 | FanDuel $4,200 | DK SportsBook +6600)
Want a real underdog story? Here's your guy.
Yes, McMurray is running is first race since the 2019 Daytona 500, but you can never count out the 2010 Daytona 500 winner when it comes to superspeedways -- four of his seven career victories have come at Daytona or Talladega.
Spire Motorsports has stepped up its program from the last two years, so don't be shocked to see McMurray battling it out at the end. This might be the biggest darkhorse of the entire weekend.
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