With one week of the NASCAR season under our belts, I figured it was time to dust off the pandemic and parenting cobwebs and get back into the game.
And what game is that you ask? The "making questionable bets and disliking myself more than usual" game. You should try it. It's an absolute delight.
Since moving back to the South, it has done nothing but rain for four months straight and, to be honest, I just don't believe that we can get through another Sunday without rain.
But as of now, it's expected to be 70 degrees with something called "the sun" not completely blocked by the gray in Daytona Beach.
Fingers crossed because I am way too old to stay up for another Daytona rain delay.
My kids get up at the crack of dawn, whether a race starts at 1 p.m. ET (hahaha, I wish) or 9 p.m. ET, which means I'll be making all the bets while simultaneously praying for a little sun and no delays.
I am by no means a NASCAR aficionado, but I do enjoy watching, and gambling, on it. And with that being said, there a couple of drivers who stand out enough for me to take said gamble.
As much as I love Chase Elliot, there's just not enough value at +200 odds. He is, without a doubt, the favorite and therefore I should bet him, but I just can't (insert sad face emoji).
So, minus Elliott, here are my three favorite bets absolutely no one should take.
NASCAR at Daytona Roval Betting Picks
1. Kyle Busch (+1400) To Win
Blech. I don't even like saying Kyle Busch, much less betting on Kyle Busch, but when it comes to value, he might be your guy.
While he's no Elliott or Martin Truex Jr., Busch has four career Cup Series road course wins, not to mention he won the Busch Clash (which is an exhibition race and therefore isn't included in the aforementioned four road-course victories) just 10 days ago.
Take Busch at 14-1 for a nice value bet on a very talented driver (don't tell anyone I said that last part).
2. Erik Jones (+700) for a Top-5 Finish
Jones finished third on the Charlotte Roval last year, with an 11th on Daytona's road-course layout, and has five top-10 finishes in six combined Cup Series races at Sonoma and Watkins Glen.
Jones no longer drives for powerhouse team Joe Gibbs Racing, but his move to Richard Petty Motorsports' No. 43 Chevy is very much priced into that 7-1 number.
3. Denny Hamlin (+325) for a Top-3 Finish
Hamlin finished second behind Elliott at the Daytona road course race last year. Add in the fact he led the most laps in last week's Busch Clash, and this top-three bet looks even better.
