The wait is over, and the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season is here, kicking off with Sunday’s Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m., FOX). The biggest race of the NASCAR season is usually an unpredictable one with wild action and even wilder wrecks.
With cars racing so close to each other while relying on drafting and aerodynamics, one tiny mistake can ignite a chain reaction and take out huge chunks of the field. And if a major wreck doesn’t happen earlier in the race, it’s practically a given — and a few times over — in the final few laps when drivers still in the race start eyeing the checkered flag and make bold or risky moves.
All this is to say predicting the Daytona 500 winner is beyond challenging and more so than several others during the 36-race season. In the 2021 Daytona 500, Michael McDowell emerged as the (somewhat) surprise victor, winning his first Cup race in his 14th NASCAR season.
And this year, drivers and teams will be adjusting to the new Next Gen car, adding another challenge to an already difficult race.
So ahead of the 2022 Daytona 500, here’s a look at the NASCAR drivers with the top-15 odds to win the season opener, per Tipico Sportsbook as of Thursday afternoon.
