Set as the first race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, the 2023 Daytona 500 needs no introduction as one of the most iconic auto races. A venue that has seen its fair share of legendary performances, the 2023 edition of the race will feature future NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson returning to Legacy Motor Club in this race. This will be the 65th annual installment of the Daytona 500 and will be the first of 36 NASCAR Cup Series races this season. While this is the first official race of the season, there has already been some action this year with Martin Truex Jr. taking home the title at the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum.
For this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from each racer along with even more notes and information about NASCAR betting.
| Favorites to Win The 2023 Daytona 500 |  |
|---|---|
| Denny Hamlin | +1100 |
| Chase Elliott | +1200 |
| Ryan Blaney | +1200 |
| Joey Logano | +1400 |
A three-time winner of the Daytona 500, last winning in 2020, Hamlin is one of the most decorated drivers in NASCAR. As regular readers of this space are aware, the Jordan Brand racer is a regular contender to take home the checkered flag in each race he enters. Hamlin’s last win came during the 2022 season during the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, giving 48 total wins to his name.
The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season champion, Elliott is a driver that is laser-focused on starting his season strong. In the past, the 27-year-old has won the Daytona 500 pole position twice (2016 and 2017) but has yet to capture the crown in Florida. During the 2021 season, Elliott finished second at the Daytona 500 that year, which has been one of his top finishes at the event. Last year he finished in 10th place, so perhaps this is the season that he finally breaks through.
While Blaney has not yet won the traditional Daytona 500 race, he has been victorious on the same track, notching a win at the 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400. In the past, he has finished in second place at the Daytona 500 twice, once in 2017 and the other time in 2020. Last year, he was again able to notch a top-five finish, securing a fourth-place finish. A driver that has finished inside the NASCAR Cup Series top 10 standings the last four years, Blaney is angling for more in 2023.
The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, Logano is one of the most accomplished young drivers in the field as a two-time Cup Series title holder. The 32-year-old last won this race during the 2015 season, in the process becoming the second-youngest Daytona 500 winner ever. However, in recent years he has struggled, finishing outside the top 10 three years in a row, with his last top-five finish occurring in 2019 (fourth place). Nonetheless, Logano ended last season in a flourish and will be looking to continue his hot streak into 2023.
Prediction: In the first regular season race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, Logano will pick up where he left off and pick up his first Daytona 500 win since 2015.
After you are all set with gathering information for the 2023 Daytona 500, SBS also has your back with a slew of great resources to keep you motoring along. For instance, you should definitely bookmark our NASCAR betting sites guide which goes over all kinds of great betting news related to NASCAR racing. With the season just starting this would be an ideal page to bookmark. Keeping in the theme of “mobile” sports, the SBS best betting apps rundown is another great page to peruse if you are always on the go. On a final note, if there is also perhaps the desire to have some higher stakes wager put on the table, then the SBS VIP sports betting sites breakdown is an ideal page to check out. Here you can see if VIP betting is for you.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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