NASCAR Daytona 500 2026 Betting Odds, Picks & Where to Watch Live
The Daytona 500 isn’t just another race — it’s the Super Bowl of NASCAR. The engines roar louder, the stakes skyrocket, and every driver knows that one mistake can end a season before it begins. For bettors, Daytona is equal parts speed, strategy, and chaos, where drafting partnerships, pit timing, and survival skills can make or break your bet slip.
If you’re serious about NASCAR wagering, this preview breaks down driver form, track trends, top odds at BetMGM Sportsbook, and the smartest bets for one of the most unpredictable races on the calendar.
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Track & Race Overview
Daytona International Speedway is NASCAR’s crown jewel:
- 2.5-mile tri-oval superspeedway with steep banking.
- Drafting dominates — the fastest car alone rarely wins; teamwork and timing matter.
- High unpredictability — multi-car wrecks are almost guaranteed, making a betting strategy crucial.
This is a race where favorites are vulnerable, and savvy bettors can profit by combining outright winners with top-5, prop, and caution-based bets.
Best Daytona 500 Betting Picks & Expert Angles
1️⃣ Outright Winner – Austin Cindric
1) Outright Winner – Austin Cindric (+1000). Cindric dominates superspeedways with exceptional restarts and pack control. His last Daytona win was marked by strategic drafting and flawless pit stops. With +1000 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook, he’s a low-risk, high-upside pick for bettors looking to anchor their slips. Expect multiple lead-lap stints and strong finish positioning.
2️⃣ Top 3 Finish – Joey Logano
2) Top 3 Finish – Joey Logano (+325). Logano’s experience at Daytona and ability to maneuver through the field under pressure make him ideal for a top 3 finish. Recent superspeedway runs show he consistently finds drafting partners, stays in the lead pack, and cashes for bettors. +325 at BetMGM Sportsbook is an excellent value for a driver with multiple wins and laps led at Daytona.
3️⃣ Value Play – William Byron
3) Value Play – William Byron (+400). Byron is a young but highly capable superspeedway driver. His drafting instincts, clean lines, and pit strategies put him in strong contention for a top 5, and a top 3 finish at +400 is underpriced considering his current form and last season’s Daytona dominance.
4️⃣ Lead-Lap Finish – Over 20.5 Drivers
4) Lead-Lap Finish – Over 20.5 Drivers (-115). Daytona races tend to finish with massive lead-lap counts due to drafting packs and minimal attrition early. Over 20.5 drivers is a smart hedge, aligning with historical stats from the last 5 races where 18+ drivers ended on the lead lap.
Driver Form & Superspeedway Trends (Why Back Them)
🔵 Top Contenders
Austin Cindric
- Last 5 Daytona Results: 1 win, 2 top 5, 1 top 10
- Lead-Lap Consistency: 90% of Daytona laps led within the top 10 positions
- Upside: Aggressive restarts and clean drafting skills make Cindric a prime contender. High-value pick at +1000 for outright.
Joey Logano
- Superspeedway Wins: 1 Daytona 500 win in 2015
- Top 10 Lead-Lap Finish Rate: 80%
- Strength: Strategic drafting and late-race positioning. Betting on Logano is backed by a proven combination of pace and race IQ.
Ryan Blaney
- Top 5 Daytona Finishes: 3 of last 5 races
- Daytona 500 Wins: Daytona 500 wins in both 2024 and 2025
- Lead-Lap Performance: 85%
- Upside: Fast restarts and drafting partnerships make Blaney highly likely to finish top 3. Odds at +1000 make him a solid core bet.
William Byron
- Superspeedway Form: 2 wins last season, consistent top 10
- Drafting Expertise: Strong in multi-car pack moves
- Playability: At +1200, Byron is an excellent value for both outright and top 3 finish bets.
How to Watch/Stream Daytona 500 in the U.S.
- Streaming: Live coverage available on Fox Sports App / FS1
- Coverage: Pre-race and post-race insights with full live commentary
- Catch-Up: Full race replay available on Fox Sports on-demand
- Main Broadcast: FS1 and Fox broadcast for key lead laps and pit updates
Daytona 500 2026 Final Prediction
Expect: Multiple late cautions, Large lead packs, and A winner coming from the top 8–10 cars in the final 10 laps. Our final official expert picks are:
| Bet Type | Pick | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Race Winner | Austin Cindric | +1000 |
| Top-3 Finish | Joey Logano | +325 |
| Top-5 Value | William Byron | +400 |
| Prop | Over 20.5 Lead-Lap Drivers | -115 |
Expect aggressive restarts, high drafting reliance, and several lead-lap packs racing for position. Cindric’s combination of speed, pack control, and superspeedway intelligence makes him the safest anchor. Logano and Blaney round out a trio that maximizes value and cash potential.
