William Byron has dominated the Daytona 500 in recent years, securing wins in both the 2024 and 2025 NASCAR Cup Series races. As the 2026 season approaches, speculation mounts on whether Byron can continue his streak and claim a third consecutive victory when the race unfolds on FOX on February 15. His performance at the famed Daytona International Speedway has made him a central figure in the betting landscape, drawing significant attention from fans and experts alike.
As the 2026 Daytona 500 nears, William Byron’s odds reflect the high expectations surrounding his attempt to reach victory lane again amid a tightening field led by Denny Hamlin. Current odds from DraftKings Sportsbook reveal the intense competition set to unfold at The Great American Race.
Current Favorites and Betting Odds at Daytona 500 2026
The latest DraftKings Sportsbook odds highlight Denny Hamlin as the frontrunner, holding +900 odds (a $10 bet returns $100 total). William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Larson follow closely, all at +1000, indicating a highly competitive race. Other notable contenders include Joey Logano at +1200 and Kyle Busch at +1400, emphasizing the deep field of experienced drivers aiming for the checkered flag.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the odds for drivers expected to impact the Daytona 500 outcome:
- Denny Hamlin: +900
- William Byron: +1000
- Ryan Blaney: +1000
- Kyle Larson: +1000
- Joey Logano: +1200
- Kyle Busch: +1400
- Austin Cindric: +1600
- Chase Elliott: +1600
- Bubba Wallace: +1800
- Alex Bowman: +1800
- Ryan Preece: +2000
- Chase Briscoe: +2000
- Brad Keselowski: +2200
- Christopher Bell: +2200
- Chris Buescher: +2500
- Carson Hocevar: +2800
- Ross Chastain: +2800
- Connor Zilisch: +2800
- Tyler Reddick: +3000
- Ty Gibbs: +3500
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +3500
- Erik Jones: +3500
- Daniel Suarez: +3500
- Michael McDowell: +4000
- Josh Berry: +4000
- AJ Allmendinger: +4500
- Justin Allgaier: +4500
- Austin Dillon: +5000
- Corey LaJoie: +5500
- Shane Van Gisbergen: +5500
- Todd Gilliland: +6000
- Zane Smith: +6500
- Noah Gragson: +6500
- John Hunter Nemechek: +6500
- Jimmie Johnson: +7000
- Cole Custer: +7000
- Ty Dillon: +8000
- Riley Herbst: +9000
- BJ McLeod: +10000
- Chandler Smith: +10000
- Cody Ware: +10000
- JJ Yeley: +13000
- Casey Mears: +15000
- Anthony Alfredo: +15000
Expert Analysis on Leading Drivers with Winning Potential
FOX Sports motorsports insider Bob Pockrass highlights key drivers with realistic chances to take the checkered flag at Daytona. Among them is Joey Logano, who boasts a Daytona 500 victory from 2015 and three wins at Talladega, marking him as a premier superspeedway competitor. Despite his credentials, Logano has encountered difficulties with crashes in eight of his last 17 starts, making his run unpredictable.
“There’s a reason Logano has some of the shortest odds on this list. He won the 2015 Daytona 500 and has three career wins at Talladega. The Team Penske driver is considered one of the best supserspeedway racers around. But beware: He has crashed out in eight of his last 17 starts.” – Bob Pockrass, FOX Sports motorsports insider
Chase Briscoe is another notable contender, fresh off a Talladega win in October and entering his second season at Joe Gibbs Racing with high confidence. Briscoe’s reputation for clean racing has earned him respect in the field, which could help him secure crucial drafting assistance.
“Briscoe won the most recent race at a supserspeedway, capturing the victory at Talladega in October. He’s oozing confidence after his initial year at Joe Gibbs Racing. Briscoe doesn’t have any enemies and he has the trust of the field to not do anything too out-of-line, which means he could get the right push at the right time.” – Bob Pockrass, FOX Sports motorsports insider
For long-shot enthusiasts, Austin Dillon presents an intriguing option. As a two-time Daytona 500 winner, including the 2018 race, Dillon is backed by a team running a newly designed Chevrolet body that might allow better pack cooperation. Richard Childress Racing, Dillon’s team, views the 2026 season as critical in its continued performance improvements.
“You want one of the long shots? Well, here you go. Chevrolet has a newly designed body, and that could mean that there’s a little bit of learning process or it could mean the Chevrolets will work better together. A two-time Daytona winner (including the 2018 Daytona 500), Dillon knows how to get to the front at the track. And the Richard Childress Racing driver knows this is a pivotal season for this organization as it continues to try to improve.” – Bob Pockrass, FOX Sports motorsports insider
Implications of the Tightening Daytona 500 Odds for 2026 Season
The neck-and-neck betting odds underscore a field brimming with talent and uncertainty, reflecting the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing at Daytona. William Byron’s attempt to secure a third straight win will face stiff opposition from seasoned veterans like Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano, as well as rising stars such as Chase Briscoe. The introduction of fresh technology on certain cars, combined with changing team dynamics, adds further complexity to race strategies.
The outcome of the 2026 Daytona 500 could influence team rankings and driver momentum early in the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, setting an intense tone for the season. Watching how this race unfolds will be crucial for understanding the trajectory of the sport’s top competitors and the evolving dynamics on superspeedway tracks.
