As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season prepares to begin at Daytona International Speedway, William Byron Daytona 500 odds have shifted, with Denny Hamlin now emerging as the new favorite according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The highly anticipated Great American Race is just days away in Daytona Beach, Florida, promising fierce competition among top drivers and renewed focus on historical milestones.
Denny Hamlin Takes the Top Spot Over Byron
Throughout much of the offseason, Team Penske drivers such as Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano were leading the betting boards, with previous winner Austin Cindric making occasional appearances at the top. However, odds have now changed, and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin is favored to capture another victory.
Hamlin, who previously won at Daytona in 2016, 2019, and 2020, aims to become just the third driver to secure four wins in the prestigious race. Only Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough have ever managed to win the Daytona 500 more than three times, marking Hamlin’s quest as a significant storyline for the event. His bid for a three-peat was halted with a strong fifth-place finish in 2021—the highest position for any driver coming off back-to-back Daytona 500 wins.
Since that top-five performance, Hamlin has struggled to regain momentum at Daytona, not finishing higher than 17th in recent years. Despite these challenges, his odds have surged, positioning him as the primary favorite to win this year.
William Byron Leads a Competitive Group of Challengers
William Byron, aiming to become the first driver in history to win three consecutive Daytona 500s, is now listed at +1000. Byron made history last season by joining an elite group of back-to-back winners, which includes Petty, Yarborough, Sterling Marlin, and Hamlin himself. Now Byron, along with Blaney and Hendrick Motorsports‘ Kyle Larson, shares the second-best odds ahead of the race.
Joey Logano, who took home the trophy in 2015, has seen his odds slide to +1200, while Austin Cindric, the 2022 winner, is now priced at +1600. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. of Hyak Motorsport, the most recent victor not named Byron, stands at +3500, illustrating that even former champions are facing skepticism from oddsmakers as race day approaches.
What to Expect at the Daytona 500
The action will unfold at the historic, high-banked, 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway, known as the World Center of Racing. The Daytona 500 remains the marquee event in the 36-race NASCAR Cup Series campaign and regularly attracts top competitors from teams like Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports.
As always, odds can change leading up to race day, given the unpredictable nature of both the race itself and factors such as weather and qualifying results. Fans and bettors are advised to keep an eye on the latest updates from DraftKings Sportsbook and other oddsmakers amid a tense and competitive NASCAR landscape.
The 68th running of the Daytona 500 is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 15, and will be broadcast live on Fox, drawing viewers nationwide as drivers like Hamlin, Byron, and others battle for victory in the opening event of the season.
Legacy and Stakes for the 2026 Season Opener
For Denny Hamlin, securing a fourth Daytona 500 win would not only match legends like Petty and Yarborough but also provide a triumphant start after a tumultuous offseason. William Byron, meanwhile, has the chance to make history with three straight victories, a feat never before achieved in NASCAR’s premier event. The shifting William Byron Daytona 500 odds signal heightened anticipation as the motorsport world waits to see which driver will make headlines at Daytona Beach.
