NASCAR has unveiled the list of drivers that qualified for the 2016 Daytona Sprint Unlimited. This 75-lap, non-points event, kicks off a week before the Daytona 500. The race will be run in two segments with a competition caution at lap 25 dividing them. Fans will be matched-up with crew chiefs for a random drawing on February 12th. Once again this year, the starting lineups and pit stall positions, will be determined by the drawing.
Eligibility is based on several things. First, all the competitors who participated in the Chase in 2015 will be included, along with the next available drivers based on the 2015 Sprint Cup Series point standings. Secondly, all the 2015 Coors Light Pole Award winners will be joining, as well as all the former Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Award winners. Lastly, are the former Sprint Cup Unlimited race winners. The drivers and their odds to win are shown below.
ODDS TO WIN 2016 SPRINT UNLIMITED (2/13/16)
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 6/1 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 8/1 |
| Joey Logano | 10/1 |
| Kevin Harvick | 10/1 |
| Kyle Busch | 10/1 |
| Matt Kenseth | 10/1 |
| Brad Keselowski | 15/1 |
| Carl Edwards | 15/1 |
| Denny Hamlin | 15/1 |
| Kasey Kahne | 15/1 |
| Kurt Busch | 15/1 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | 15/1 |
| Austin Dillon | 25/1 |
| Greg Biffle | 25/1 |
| Jamie McMurray | 25/1 |
| Tony Stewart | 25/1 |
| Clint Bowyer | 30/1 |
| Paul Menard | 30/1 |
| Ryan Newman | 30/1 |
| Aric Almirola | 40/1 |
| Danica Patrick | 40/1 |
| Kyle Larson | 40/1 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 50/1 |
| Casey Mears | 50/1 |
| Ricky Stenhouse | 50/1 |
Hendrick Motor Sports (Chevrolet):
The Hendrick Motorsport’s team has consistently fielded the fastest cars on the super speedways over the last three years. They have amassed five victories between Daytona and Talladega. Las Vegas odds makers are cognizant of that, placing the three available teammates in the Top 10.
The Hendrick Motorsport’s team has consistently fielded the fastest cars on the super speedways over the last three years. They have amassed five victories between Daytona and Talladega. Las Vegas odds makers are cognizant of that, placing the three available teammates in the Top 10.
Receiving the top spot is driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. at +600. Earnhardt won the fall race last year and finished third in the spring. He has won the Daytona 500 three times and collected six poles at this track in his career. His 9.6 career average finish here and his 10 plate-race wins, proves that the son of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., has learned a thing or two from his father about restrictor-plate racing.
Jimmy at +800 is no stranger to victory lane at Daytona as well. The six time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion has claimed victory two times at Daytona (2006, 2013) and two others at Talladega. He won from the pole in the second race of the Budweiser Duels here last year. He will be my first pick to win the Sprint Unlimited race this year.
Kasey Kahne has yet to record a victory at these monstrous venues. He has collected five top 5’s, two here at Daytona and 13 top 10’s combined. By association alone, Vegas has him slated in the 10th spot at +1500.
Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota):
Considered the top team in 2015, Joe Gibbs Racing has four racers of their own in Vegas’s top ten. The numbers over the last three Sprint Cup campaigns speak for themselves. They have accumulated 28 victories, 107 top fives and 26 poles. Only one of those races were at Daytona or Talladega, but the consistent speed is always there.
The defending Sprint Cup Champion Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth are at +1000. Kyle has two plate-race victories, one at Daytona in 2008, and the other in Talladega that same year. He has finished eighth and third in the last two Sprint Unlimited races. At 10-1, this could be a great value pick for bettors.
Matt Kenseth is no slouch at this super speedway either. The two time Daytona 500 winner and 2015 Sprint Unlimited prizewinner, is also at +1000 to win this event. The savvy veteran is always a great choice to put money on, wherever he competes at 10-1.
Odds makers have Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin at +1500. Edwards moved over to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015 and found himself in the winners circle at Charlotte and Darlington. The problem I have with the #19 Subway Toyota handler, is that he has never registered a victory at a restrictor-plate race to date. He’ll have to show me he can win at these tracks before I’ll place money on him.
Hamlin does have a plate-race victory at Tallaega Super Speedway, but is way more successful at short-tracks and intermediate races. I’d be cautious about picking this motorist at 15-1.
Team Penske (Ford):
Joey Logano is the best odds on favorite for Team Penske at +1000, and deservedly so. The #22 Pennzoil Ford won here to open the points chase in 2015 and edged Earnhardt Jr. by a nose at Talladega. He ended last years season as Penske’s fastest racer. The two victories at super speedways were his firsts, so I’ll wait a few more weeks into the season to see if he has kept his speed from last years run.
Brad Keselowski is in the +15000 category for the Sprint Unlimited race on Feb. 13th. The talented driver has three fast track race victories, all have came at Talladega. The problem I have with laying your greenbacks on Keselowski is that he is hit or miss at Daytona. Top fives are as common as top 20’s, so that’s enough for me to stay clear of the Miller Lite #2.
Stewart Haas Racing (Chevrolet):
The #4 Freaky Fast Jimmy Johns Chevrolet is +1000 to win the Sprint Unlimited. Kevin Harvick won this race in 2013 and finished a respectable fifth in 2014. Last years 11th place finish was not indicative of how well his car was performing, as he was shuffled to the back on the final few laps. If your going give me a driver at 10-1 that has finished first in the Sprint Cup series in 2014, and second the following year, I’ll take it. This will be my second choice to come out ahead on the 13th of February.
