The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off at Daytona, and Rowdy Dragon is back with a full fantasy and sportsbook breakdown for the most unpredictable race on the calendar. Superspeedway chaos, manufacturer alliances, and survival over speed define the Daytona 500—and this episode of Rowdy Dragon’s NASCAR Sportsbook dives headfirst into all of it.
Rowdy opens the season with his Fantasy Live head-to-head picks, a look at sportsbook odds across major books, long-shot value plays, and his bold “winner winner” prediction for the Harley J. Earl Trophy. While drafting tracks are notoriously volatile, Daytona is the one superspeedway Rowdy couldn’t skip.
Here’s what’s inside this week’s Daytona episode:
🏁 Kyle Larson vs. Denny Hamlin — Does three-time Daytona 500 winner Hamlin’s patience and drafting IQ give him the edge over Larson’s high-risk profile?
⚡ Kyle Busch vs. Chase Elliott — Busch brings aggression and pressure, but Elliott has an elite survival rate, making him the safer Fantasy Live play.
🔥 Ryan Blaney vs. William Byron — Blaney dominates driver ratings, but does Byron’s closing ability and bid for a historic Daytona three-peat win Rowdy over?
🧠 Bubba Wallace vs. Ryan Preece — Can Wallace’s elite Daytona floor and crash avoidance outweigh Preece’s recent momentum?
💸 Sportsbook odds check — Value across the board with Ryan Blaney (+1100), Joey Logano (+1400), William Byron (+1500), and deeper numbers on Bubba Wallace, Brad Keselowski, and Christopher Bell.
🚨 Long shots to watch — Chris Buescher as a steady top-10 play.
🏆 Rowdy’s “winner winner” pick — Christopher Bell to steal the Daytona 500, with recent podium finishes and odds that Rowdy believes are far too generous.
Rowdy also reflects on last season’s results, sets his sights on improving his hit rate in 2026, and reminds listeners why Daytona is the one drafting race where preparation still matters—if you know where to look.
Whether you’re building your Fantasy Live lineup, hunting sportsbook value, or just trying to survive the madness of the Daytona 500, this episode delivers sharp analysis, context-driven strategy, and just enough boldness to chase plus money.
👉 Subscribe on Substack, fire up the episode, and let Rowdy Dragon help you navigate NASCAR’s wildest race of the year. 🏁🐉
