Here is my selection of Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for this weekend’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win at Daytona
Denny Hamlin
Sigh. Though I put Denny Hamlin front and center this week, I’m slightly skeptical. But only slightly, so that’s why he’s here. This is his opportunity to finish the 2021 season with at least one regular-season win under his belt before heading into the playoffs. Those points are only going to take him so far through the rounds. It’s time for the No. 11 to step up, and with his record at Daytona, I think he actually will.
Daytona Wins: 3
Top-5 finishes: 11
Top-10 finishes: 12
Joey Logano
Looking back at Joey Logano’s stats here in Daytona, it’s easy to see that his troubles come when he gets caught up in one of the wrecks that this track is so famous for. Every time he avoids an accident, he finishes in a top position. Though his last win here was quite a ways back, I think that the No. 22 stands a good chance of winning the last race of the regular season—if he can stay out of trouble.
Daytona Wins: 1
Top-5 finishes: 6
Top-10 finishes: 9
Austin Dillon
As tempted as I was to put the driver of the No. 5 in this spot, his numbers aren’t great at Superspeedways. That being said, he could just pull out a win to surprise everybody. But I want to talk about Austin Dillon here for a minute. He finished third in the 500, has led a bunch of laps here, collected some stage points, and has one Daytona win under his firesuit. He’s on the cusp of getting into the playoffs, and a win on Saturday night will secure his spot once and for all. Expect the No. 3 to race hard and fast, scooting out anyone who tries to get in his way.
Daytona Wins: 1
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 8
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for the Coke Zero Sugar 400
William Byron
William Byron might have a better record at Daytona if he didn’t get caught up in so many wrecks. After all, he came in first-place here last summer, second-place the summer before that, and has acquired some stage points in nearly every Daytona race. Top that with the fact that you just can’t argue with a hot streak and you have the makings of a great show from the No. 24 on Saturday night. Just as long as the accidents occur far out of his path.
Daytona Wins: 1
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 2
Matt DiBenedetto
Matty D’s hot streak is alive and well. This guy has stepped it up in recent weeks to show owners in the Cup Series why he deserves a spot in next year’s rotation. This is it: the last race before the playoffs and the time for drivers to let loose. Look for the driver on the No. 21 to pull out all the stops to try for a win in Daytona.
Daytona Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 3
Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace has gained stage points here, had a few close finishes, and run very well in recent years. His only downfall is not being able to avoid the big wrecks. But, if he can stay out of trouble throughout the race, he has a very good chance of surprising everyone with a win.
Daytona Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 2
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup at Daytona
Martin Truex Jr.
If Martin Truex Jr. wins Daytona, it will only be the result of a wreck that takes out 80 percent of the field. For reasons unknown, this track continues to confound the driver of the No. 19. And besides, he’s already in the playoffs in a comfortable spot. Take a pass on this driver in Daytona.
Daytona Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 5
Brad Keselowski
I think that I stick Brad Keselowski in this spot each time Daytona rolls around. And with good reason. Sure he won at this track in the past, but it was a long-ago past that he probably barely remembers. Keep the driver of the No. 2 in the pits for Saturday night.
Daytona Wins: 1
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 5
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney showed up last week in Michigan. Don’t expect it to look the same in Daytona. Let the driver of the No. 12 sit back and stay out of trouble this week as he looks forward to the start of the playoffs in September.
Daytona Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 4
