Daytona 500 – Preview, Predictions, Odds

The 52nd annual Daytona 500 will be run this Sunday, February 14^th at Daytona Speedway in Florida starting at 1:00 P.M. “The Great American Race” features 43 of the world’s best stock car drivers all vying to win NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious event. While the Bud Shootout was ran last week, this race also marks the start of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing schedule that runs all the way through mid November. Here is a brief preview of my top 10 drivers along with their current odds to take the checkered flag in Daytona.

Denny Hamlin 12-1

Hamlin has run the 500 four times in his career. His best starting position was back in 2008 when he started 4^th. This year was also his best finish, 17^th. Last year, he started in the 10 position and finished 26^th; completing 152 laps.

Jimmie Johnson 10-1

Johnson has eight career starts in the 500 dating back to 2002. He has started in the pole position twice; 2002 and 2008. He won the 500 back in 2006 after starting 9^th. Last year, he started in 7^th position and finished 31^st after completing 152 laps.

Kurt Busch 14-1

Kurt Busch has nine career starts in the 500 with his first back in 2001. His best starting position was 4^th in 2007. His best finish in this race was 2^nd in 2003 after starting 36^th. Last year after starting 13^th, he ended up finishing in 10^th place, completing 152 laps.

Mark Martin 10-1

51 year old Martin has run the 500 25 times in his career dating all the way back to 1982. His best career starting position was second, last year. His best finish ever was second place back in 2007 after starting 26^th. Last year after starting 2^nd, he finished in 16^th place and completed 152 laps.

Jeff Gordon 9-1

Gordon has run the 500 17 times in his career. His best start has been on the pole back in 1999. He has won this race three times; 1997, 1999, and 2005. Last year he started in 3^rd position and finished 13^th, completing 152 laps.

Kyle Busch 15-2

Kyle Busch has run the 500 five times in his career. His best starting position was 4^th both in 2006 and 2009. His best finish in this race was 4^th in 2008 after starting 24^th. Last year after starting 4^th he finished 41^st completing 123 laps after getting knocked out because of an accident.

Tony Stewart 15-2

Stewart has run this race 11 times in his career. His best starting position was 2^nd back in 1999. His best finish was 2^nd in 2004 after starting 5^th. Last year, he started in 5^th position and finished 8^th after completing 152 laps.

Juan Pablo Montoya 14-1

The long time Indy car racer has run the 500 three times in the past. His best start and finish was last year. He started in the 8^th position and finished the race 14^th completing 152 laps.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. 15-2

Junior has run the 500 ten times in his career. His best starting position was  2^nd back in 2003. He finished 36^th in that race. He won this race in 2004 after starting 3^rd. Last year he started in 14^th position and finished 27^th, completing 152 laps.

Carl Edwards 16-1

Edwards has run the 500 five times in his career. His best start was 5^th in 2006, but ended up finishing 43rd. His best finish was 12^th back in 2005. Last year he started in 16^th and finished 18th, completing 152 laps.

Looking at these odds I would lean toward Tony Stewart at 15-2. He has come so close year after year you would have to think he is due. A sentimental pick would be Mark Martin who has yet to win in 25 tries. Keep an eye on Dale Jr. as he has pretty good odds at 15-2 considering how bad he raced the last few seasons.