The odds to win the 2026 Daytona 500, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, have shifted consistently throughout the NASCAR Cup Series offseason, with recent qualifying sessions at Daytona International Speedway further influencing the standings. Following single-car qualifying on Wednesday and the two America 250 Florida Duel races on Thursday, the betting landscape has seen fresh changes as the race approaches.
Earlier in Speedweeks, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin held the top odds, surpassing Team Penske’s Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, while Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron rose to second place behind Hamlin. Hamlin stands out as the most accomplished active driver in the Daytona 500, securing three victories between 2016 and 2020.
New Front-Runners Appear as Hamlin’s Lead Diminishes
Despite Hamlin’s initial position as the favorite, his place at the top of the odds board has been short-lived. Ryan Blaney has returned as a co-favorite at +1100 odds, joined by a new contender, Kyle Busch from Richard Childress Racing. Busch earned his first Daytona 500 pole position on Wednesday and aims to capture his first race victory in his 21st Daytona 500 start. Although Busch holds the record for most laps led in Daytona 500 history, his best finish remains second place in 2019, leaving the coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy still out of reach.
A notable historical hurdle for Busch is the fact that no polesitter has won the Daytona 500 or finished better than fourth since Dale Jarrett’s triumph in 2000, marking a two-decade gap without a victory from the pole position.
Starting Positions and Odds for Top Competitors
Hamlin is closely ranked at +1200 odds, tied with Joey Logano, who will start third after winning the first Duel race. Chase Elliott, representing Hendrick Motorsports and fresh from winning the second Duel race, will start fourth and holds +1400 odds alongside teammate Kyle Larson. Byron experienced a crash in his Duel and will start 39th, causing his odds to slip to +1600.
Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing, securing a front-row start for the second year in a row, is listed at +2000 odds after finishing fourth in last year’s race—the best result for a polesitter since 2000.
Upcoming Broadcast and Race Expectations
The 68th annual Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, with live coverage commencing at 2:00 p.m. ET on Fox. Attention remains on how these adjusted odds and qualifying results will translate into race day performance amid a competitive field.
