Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Updated 2016 Daytona 500 odds: Gibbs' stable has odds slashed

No driver has won back-to-back Daytona 500's since 1995 (Sterling Marlin).
LAS VEGAS -- After getting a sneak peak in Saturday's Sprint Unlimited of how the racing might be in Sunday's 58th running of the Daytona 500, the odds board in Las Vegas have been adjusted accordingly. The biggest movers on the board were the quartet of Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, who all had their odds slashed.

Denny Hamlin's win Saturday gave JGR wins in four of the past five Sprint Unlimited's, and his odds have gone from 15-to-1 to 10-to-1. However, JGR hasn't won the Daytona 500 since 1993 when Dale Jarrett cruised to victory in a Chevrolet. Also, a Toyota hasn't won the Daytona 500. Winning the Sprint Unlimited has only translated to the Daytona 500 five times, the last coming in 2000 with Jarrett.

The thing that stood out the most Saturday night was that it seemed harder than ever to pass and the extra 10 horsepower in this years restrictor-plate package makes the leader is even more invincible with clean air. Only three drivers led a lap and there were seven cautions — 23 of the 25 cars had damage.

MORE: Are there any futures bets worth making on the Sprint Cup?

Despite the JGR, Penske Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing all looking strong Saturday night, the best way to approach Sunday's Daytona 500 is to not count anyone out. Everyone has a chance. Well, maybe only 38 drivers have chance, but that's a ton compared to only about 12 drivers that have a legitimate shot to win on the 1.5-mile tracks.

Let's take a look at all the drivers odds and chances from the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook with last weeks odds in parenthesis: 
 
Daytona 500 betting odds, picks

DALE EARNHARDT JR 6/1
- With Jeff Gordon retired, his 10 restrictor-plate wins are the most among active drivers and three of the wins came in the past two seasons, including the 2014 Daytona 500. Even though we didn't get to see what he was really capable of Saturday night after damaging his car early, you know he's going to be battling up front with the leaders late if he can keep his car healthy for all 200 laps. Not much has changed with the plate package this year from the past two years and Junior's 9.8 average finish in the eight plate races over that span is the best in the series. He's a deserving favorite.

Read More Here....all drivers odds listed on TheLinemakers.com

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