Daytona 500 - NASCAR - Bodog Odds

This Sunday, February 17th, will mark the 50th running of the Daytona 500. And NASCAR fans couldn’t be more excited, as this officially marks the beginning of the racing season. Not only is the Daytona 500 regarded by many as the most important race of the season, but it also carries the biggest purse of the year.

Expect ratings to be through the roof, as the number of viewers for the 200-lap event has surpassed all other races since 1995.

PREVIOUS DAYTONA 500 WINNERS

To get a little historical perspective, let’s take a look back at the winners over the last decade. I’ve also included the type of car driven by the winners.

1998 - Dale Earnhardt (Chevy)

1999 - Jeff Gordon (Chevy)

2000 - Dale Jarrett (Ford)

2001 - Michael Waltrip (Chevy)

2002 - Ward Burton (Dodge)

2003 - Michael Waltrip (Chevy)

2004 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Chevy)

2005 - Jeff Gordon (Chevy)

2006 - Jimmie Johnson (Chevy)

2007 - Kevin Harvick (Chevy)

You can’t get much more dominant than Chevrolet, as their cars have won 8 of the last 10 races. Wow! I’m surprised that Tony Stewart hasn’t gotten into a fight with the CEO of Chevy.

JOE GIBBS RACING VS. HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS

Six of the first ten starting spots will be filled with drivers from either Joe Gibbs Racing or Hendrick Motorsports. We’re talking racers such as Denny Hamlin (winner of the second qualifier), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (winner of the first qualifier), Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Casey Mears.

The Gibbs team left General Motors this season and switched to Toyota, tired of always being in the shadow of Hendrick (whose racers won 18 of 36 races in 2007). Now they get their chance to show who’s really better. With his retirement from coaching the Redskins, it’ll be interesting to see if owner Joe Gibbs has a greater role in things.

And also keep an eye on Dale Jarrett. The three-time Daytona winner will be retiring next month, so this will be the final 500 of his career. No doubt, a lot of people will be rooting for him to go out on top.

DAYTONA 500 - BODOG ODDS

So who’s gonna win this grueling test of skill and endurance? Well, Bodog is more than happy to provide odds for your consideration. Just take a look below. If you find a racer you really like, why not set up an account with Bodog and place a wager? The maximum bet is $600.

Bobby Labonte 80/1

Casey Mears 25/1

Dale Earnhardt Jr. 4/1

Denny Hamlin 10/1

Jacques Villeneuve 200/1

Jeff Burton 35/1

Jeff Gordon 5/1

Jimmie Johnson 5/1

Kasey Kahne 30/1

Kevin Harvick 25/1

Kurt Busch 12/1

Kyle Busch 10/1

Mark Martin 25/1

Martin Treux Jr. 17/1

Matt Kenseth 15/1

Reed Sorenson 90/1

Ryan Newman 35/1

Sam Hornish Jr. 200/1

Tony Stewart 5/1

For more odds, be sure and take a gander at the following:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon

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Daytona 500 - NASCAR - Bodog Odds