Daytona 500 betting begins the 2010 NASCAR season on Sunday. It is the premier race of the season for NASCAR and one of the most exciting with close finishes.
Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are the two favorites in Daytona 500 odds in this race that can be seen on Fox television.
Daytona 500 betting has Matt Kenseth as the defending champion. He won last year’s rain shortened race. Ryan Newman was the winner two years ago for those making a bet Daytona 500 bet. Even though this is the biggest NASCAR race of the season, many times the best drivers don’t win this race. The Daytona 500 is a restrictor plate race which means the cars are virtually equal and anyone can win. It all comes down to the last lap and whoever gets a good push or is in the right spot is the winner. Jimmie Johnson is the four-time defending Sprint Cup champion, yet he is the fifth choice in Daytona 500 odds. The Daytona 500 is the most popular auto race of the year as it gets higher TV ratings than even the Indianapolis 500.
Keep in mind as you bet on Daytona 500 that this year’s race starts earlier at 1 pm Eastern time. Last year’s race was shortened due to rain and NASCAR wants to avoid that happening again if they can. With the earlier start time the race should be able to be run at the full distance even if there are rain delays. NASCAR is also trying to finish the race before it gets dark, something they have not been able to do in the last five years. The race started at just after noon eastern from 1979 to 2000 but it was moved to a 2:30 pm Eastern start. The 2005 race ended at sunset while the last four races have ended after sunset.
Daytona 500 odds have four drivers with single-digit odds to win this year’s race. Kyle Busch is the 7-1 favorite in Daytona 500 betting followed by Tony Stewart at 7.5 to 1. Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are 9-1. Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin are 12-1.
Mark Martin will be on the pole for Sunday’s race while Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start second. Martin is 14-1 in Daytona 500 odds. Kurt Busch is also 14-1 and he is followed by Juan Pablo Montoya at 15-1, Carl Edwards at 16-1 and Kevin Harvick at 20-1. All of the other drivers have odds more than 20-1.