William Byron has made Daytona his personal playground over the past two seasons, capturing back-to-back Daytona 500 victories in 2024 and 2025. As the NASCAR Cup Series prepares to return to the iconic superspeedway on Feb. 15, the question is whether Byron can extend that streak to three straight wins — or whether a familiar contender will reclaim the sport’s biggest prize.
Early betting odds show two drivers at the top of the board: Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, who enter the 2026 Daytona 500 as co-favorites.
Below is a look at the current odds for the race, followed by analysis on several drivers considered strong contenders.
2026 Daytona 500 Odds (as of Jan. 15)
- Ryan Blaney: +1000
- Joey Logano: +1000
- William Byron: +1100
- Austin Cindric: +1400
- Kyle Larson: +1400
- Denny Hamlin: +1400
- Chase Elliott: +1400
- Brad Keselowski: +1600
- Kyle Busch: +1600
- Christopher Bell: +1600
- Chase Briscoe: +2000
- Tyler Reddick: +2200
- Ross Chastain: +2200
- Connor Zilisch: +2200
- Chris Buescher: +2200
- Bubba Wallace: +2500
- Alex Bowman: +2500
- Ryan Preece: +2800
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +2800
- Carson Hocevar: +3000
- Daniel Suárez: +3000
- Josh Berry: +3500
- Austin Dillon: +4000
- Michael McDowell: +4000
- Ty Gibbs: +4500
- Erik Jones: +4500
- Todd Gilliland: +5000
- Cole Custer: +5000
- Zane Smith: +5500
- Shane van Gisbergen: +5500
- Justin Allgaier: +5500
- Noah Gragson: +6000
- John Hunter Nemechek: +6500
- AJ Allmendinger: +7000
- Ty Dillon: +7000
- Riley Herbst: +8000
- BJ McLeod: +10000
- Austin Hill: +10000
- Cody Ware: +15000
Top Contenders to Watch
Joey Logano (+1000)
Logano’s position near the top of the odds board reflects his reputation as one of the most accomplished superspeedway racers in the field. He won the Daytona 500 in 2015 and has multiple victories at Talladega, another drafting-heavy track that demands patience and precision.
The biggest concern for Logano is risk. Superspeedway racing is notoriously unpredictable, and he has been involved in numerous crashes at Daytona in recent years. If he can avoid trouble late, however, he remains one of the most dangerous drivers in the closing laps.
Chase Briscoe (+2000)
Briscoe enters the season with momentum after winning the most recent superspeedway race at Talladega. His move to Joe Gibbs Racing has boosted both confidence and credibility, and he has quickly earned respect within the garage.
At Daytona, trust matters. Drivers who are viewed as predictable and cooperative often receive the critical pushes needed in the final laps. Briscoe’s clean reputation and recent success make him a legitimate contender if he stays in the lead draft.
Austin Dillon (+4000)
Among the longer shots, Dillon stands out due to his proven Daytona résumé. He has two career Daytona 500 victories, including his memorable win in 2018, and consistently finds a way to position himself near the front late in the race.
With Chevrolet introducing a redesigned body, the manufacturer’s teams could face a learning curve — or gain a competitive edge. Dillon’s experience at Daytona and his knack for surviving chaotic races make him a sleeper worth watching, particularly in a season that could prove pivotal for his organization.
The Big Picture
Daytona rarely rewards the fastest car over 500 miles. Drafting dynamics, late-race decision-making, manufacturer alliances, and sheer luck all play major roles. While Blaney and Logano sit atop the odds, history suggests that nearly anyone who reaches the final laps with help can contend for the win.
With past champions, rising stars, and proven superspeedway specialists all in the field, the 2026 Daytona 500 is shaping up to be as wide open — and unpredictable — as ever.