Crashes, chaos, tempers and tough racing are just a few things fans can expect from races at Daytona International Speedway, and Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 should be no exception.
It’s the NASCAR Cup Series’ regular-season finale, and along with going for a coveted Daytona checkered flag, playoff hopes and the regular-season title are on the line.
The 10-race playoffs start in September at Darlington Raceway, and 15 of the 16 total playoff spots have already been locked up by Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Kurt Busch, Christopher Bell, Michael McDowell and Aric Almirola.
Related: Starting lineup for the 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona
And while the rest of the field will be racing for a position in the playoffs and a shot at the championship come November, Hamlin and Larson are dueling for the regular-season championship, which offers a boost in points headed into the postseason.
But racing at Daytona is almost always an unpredictable mess because the style of racing at the 2.5-mile iconic track leaves little room for error. One tiny mistake by a driver could take out half the field, as they race in packed groups and play with aerodynamics.
With all that in mind, we’re taking a detailed look at the drivers with the best odds to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400, including their histories at Daytona and recent performances. As of Friday morning, Hamlin is the favorite to win the race, per Tipico Sportsbook.
Let’s break it down.
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