NASCAR betting will have Danica Patrick on the board this Saturday as she makes her debut in the Nationwide Series at Daytona. It was unclear whether or not Patrick would make her debut at Daytona but after a sixth place finish in the ARCA race this past week, she decided to go to Daytona. Those that bet on NASCAR will probably look at other drivers to win Saturday’s race but there is no question that Patrick has increased interest.
NASCAR betting on Daytona races is really a crapshoot so Patrick has a better chance there than she will in other races. Those that bet on NASCAR noticed that she was competitive last week and it was enough for her to give Daytona a shot. “To be the one driving that car at Daytona means a lot to me,” Patrick said, “Racing in the Nationwide Series was my goal during this entire two-month preparation process, but we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do.”
Going from the ARCA race to Daytona in NASCAR betting is a huge jump up in competition since the drivers in the Nationwide Series will be top notch. In fact, some of the Sprint Cup drivers will be in the NASCAR betting race since many cross over to the Nationwide Series from the Sprint Cup series including last year’s champ, Kyle Busch. “Danica proved to everyone she can compete in stock cars at a high level, and right now seat time is extremely important.” Co-owner Kelley Earnhardt said, “She has worked extremely hard during the past two months for this opportunity. Her dedication and work ethic is infectious.”
There are some people in the Nationwide garage that would have preferred Patrick wait another week since Daytona can be a wreck fest in NASCAR betting with just a simple mistake. Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. believes that Patrick can be competitive. “Are you going to run in the top five in a Nationwide race? You’re going to have to have a lot of luck” Eury said, “But I think she showed right there at the end she’s very capable of running in the draft.”
Keep in mind as you bet on NASCAR that the Nationwide is the minor leagues of NASCAR. Those races are normally held on Saturday with the Sprint Cup races in NASCAR betting on Sundays. Patrick will get some attention from those that bet on NASCAR in the odds on the NASCAR betting board but she is unlikely to win at Daytona.