2021 NASCAR Cup Series & Daytona 500 Preview Pod

Post author:JJ
Post published:January 28, 2021
Post category:Futures / Handicapping / NASCAR

Paul welcomes JJ from the BetCrushers onto the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast to talk Daytona and how the 2021 NASCAR season is shaping up. Before they get too far ahead, Paul recaps some recent news since the season preview pod dropped. It’s Episode #1 of the new season and we’re talking Daytona 500 with an extension of our 2021 NASCAR Cup Series preview!

Teaming Up at Daytona

Jamie McMurray is back
Ty Dillon sticks around the Cup scene
62-year-old Derricke Cope returns to Daytona
Noah Gragson in the big show with Beard Motorsports
Austin Cindric gets his Daytona 500 shot with Penske
Kaz Grala takes another crack at a Cup race

The guys kick around the importance of allies and power in numbers at a plate track like Daytona. With up to 5 additional Chevies in the 500, how does that tilt the balance of power among manufacturers? Paul gives his thoughts on what this year’s Clash and Duel mean to handicapping back-to-back events at Daytona.

An Early Look at Betting the Daytona 500

Is William Byron too streaky to back in the 500? Byron won here last summer, but he’s by no means a slam dunk. What about some long shots? Don’t sleep on the #17 of Chris Buescher or Christopher Bell, who is now driving for Coach Gibbs. Then again, this field is loaded with guys who can steal the race – and look no further than the Rocketman in his return to the Daytona 500 after 2020’s dramatic ending.

Odds to Win the 2021 Cup Series Championship

Defending Cup Series Champion Chase Elliott sets his sights on a repeat with even more – and different – road course races on the schedule. Kevin Harvick is a year older and looks to pick up where he left off in the 2020 regular season. But are their prices good enough to get our money?

Does Ryan Blaney present value at 12/1 to win the Championship? After all, he just watched his good friend and fellow young gun Chase Elliott get his. What about Chase’s teammate, Alex Bowman? Now he drives Jimmie’s #48 – will he break through in 2021 or crumble under the pressure? JJ & Paul kick around Bowman’s role in Hendrick Motorsports’ youth movement and the powerhouse’s prospects for success.