Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images. Pictured: NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch (18) and Chase Elliott (9)
With the NFL season officially in the rearview, it’s time to turn our attention to the start of the 2021 NASCAR season, which gets underway with Tuesday night’s Busch Clash at Daytona.
The Busch Clash is an exhibition race, meaning there are no points on the line, and drivers must meet specific criteria, like winning a pole, race, stage and/or qualifying for the playoffs last season to be eligible to race.
Click here for the full list of criteria required to qualify for the Busch Clash, including the 24 drivers who are eligible to run the race.
An added wrinkle to the 2021 Busch Clash is that it will take place on the road course at Daytona for the first time ever after traditionally running the oval layout that is used for the Daytona 500.
Back in August, the NASCAR Cup Series visited the Daytona Roval, so we do have some recent data to help us break down the field for Tuesday night’s race.
Additionally, I’ll be looking at results from other road course races, specifically the Charlotte Roval, to pinpoint the top Busch Clash betting values.
While odds have been posted since the end of the last week, I was purposely conservative with bets while waiting for Monday night’s qualifying draw.
For those new to this event, the starting lineup for the Busch Clash is set by a qualifying draw. Track position is always important, and is especially significant at a shorter race like this.
So with the starting lineup now set, I’m ready to pounce. Below are the drivers I’m betting to win the Busch Clash at Daytona.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@PJWalsh24) for any additional bets I make for the Busch Clash and entire week of racing at Daytona.
NASCAR Busch Clash at Daytona Picks
Chase Elliott +200 To Win (William Hill)
The NASCAR Cup Series officially has its newest road course ace. Elliott has won the past four road course races, including last summer’s event at the Daytona Roval.
And Chase didn’t just win that race, he dominated it by leading the most laps, running the most fast laps and posting the best driver rating.
Elliott’s odds of +200 are certainly short, but when we convert that line to an implied probability of 33.33%, it’s reasonable to still find value in the number.
Do I think Elliott wins the race more than one-third of the time? Absolutely, so I’m betting on Chase to make it five straight road course wins.
Denny Hamlin +800 To Win (William Hill) & +170 for a Top-3 Finish (DraftKings)
Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. are the clear 1-2 when it comes to road course racing, and Hamlin is making a case to be third best.
Denny finished second at the Daytona Roval in August while leading the second-most laps and running the third-most fast laps, making him a very nice value to win and score a top-three finish.
William Byron +400 for a Top-3 Finish (DraftKings)
While you may not immediately think of Byron when it comes to road courses, you probably should.
The No. 24 Chevy was no stranger to victory lane at these types of tracks with Jeff Gordon behind the wheel, and Byron quietly put up two very strong performances at the Daytona and Charlotte road course races last season.
Byron scored the fourth-best driver rating on the Daytona road course last summer and improved to the third-best rating at the Charlotte Roval in October, a performance that included a tie with Elliott for the most laps led.
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