NASCAR: Daytona 500 Preview, Odds, and Picks (2025)

One of the most famous motorsport events in the world is set for this weekend, as the Daytona 500 will be staged at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. It marks the start of the new NASCAR Cup Series season, as the first points of 2025 will be awarded.

Offshore Odds: Busch and Larson Joint Favorites

Daytona 500 Recent Winners

Daytona 500: Event Information

Event Preview

Another action-packed season of NASCAR Cup Series action kicks off proper this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The Daytona 500 is the most famous race on the schedule, and the green flag will drop at 2:30 pm ET on Sunday.

A massive field of drivers will be involved this weekend, with 40 set to take their place on the grid. The race has already made international headlines this week, as it was announced that President Trump will be in attendance for the race for the second time.

The starting grid for the race this weekend will be determined during The Duel at Daytona, which will be staged on Friday evening. However, early clues for the season ahead could come in the form of last weekend’s Cook Out Clash.

Chase Elliott was extremely dominant in the event last weekend, securing pole position and leading for a staggering 171 laps to win the race for the first time. However, it should be noted both Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch were not in action.

Joey Logano comes into the weekend as the reigning Cup Series champion, and he was narrowly denied a win in the Daytona 500 in 2023 when finishing second to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. William Byron was the winner of the Daytona 500 in 2024.

Daytona 500 Picks

An exciting race, which will be watched across the world, is set for this weekend. Cases can be made for many of the drivers in the field, but Christopher Bell looks an eye-catching contender. He was third in the race for the second successive year in 2024, and he is unlikely to be that far away once again in 2025.