Daytona 500 Picks: 4 Bets, Best Cocktail Pairing for Monday’s ‘Great American Race’

Editor's note: The Daytona 500 has postponed until Monday at 4 p.m. ET due to rain.

Happy Daytona 500 weekend to all NASCAR bettors out there! And to the two people who read this article …

The latest Daytona weather forecast is calling for one to two inches of rain, so, of course, the First Family of the Action Network™ has prepared a massive Daytona 500 Sunday Funday party with Jell-O shots and fancy drinks, fun gambling games and a boatload of people.

I am unwell.

But I'm still going to make my Daytona 500 picks and cocktail pairing no matter when the race does end up running.

Warning: There’s only one cocktail in this article, but trust me, it will be worth its weight in gold.

Daytona 500 Picks

*Daytona 500 odds as of Sunday morning

Ricky Stenhouse (+3500) to Win – BetMGM

This man will forever be my go-to, all-time favorite Daytona 500 pick.

Why, you ask?

It's because he’s chaos-embodied. He didn't get the nickname Wrecky for no reason, y'all.

He is my wild card of all wild cards, my Edward Lorenz, the peanut butter to my jelly, and if I'm going down in a ball of flames and fury, Wrecky will be right there by my side.

Stenhouse also cashed a 40-1 ticket for me when he won the 2023 Daytona 500, so I'm running him back.

I love you Wrecky, you complete me.

William Byron (+600) for Top-3 Finish – BetRivers

Byron is notorious for having fast cars at superspeedways even though he hasn't won a Daytona 500. In fact, Byron hasn't finished four of his career six Daytona 500 starts due to wrecks, which makes this bet, at this price, delightfully interesting.

Don't forget that despite his recent troubles here, Willy B. did notch his first career Cup Series win in the summer race at Daytona back in 2020.

The Hendrick Motorsports cars looked very fast during Thursday's Duel races as well, so let's ride Mr. Personality for a top-three finish today (or Monday).

Joey Logano Finishing Position: Over 10.5 (-110) – Superbook

As much as I would love to take credit for this, I cannot in good conscience. This is all Dr. Nick Giffen, who included this bet as part of the Action Network's Daytona 500 best bets article.

This line is just too good to pass up. Plus, Daytona is known for its chaos and randomness, and I like the idea that Logano finishes outside of the top 10.

What I won't love about that is Joey's incessant whining that will ensue post-race.

Still worth the win? Yep!

Anthony Alfredo (+500) for Top-10 Finish – BetRivers

Guys, I'm not saying that I'm taking this bet because Anthony Alfredo's nickname is "Fast Pasta," but I am definitely taking this bet because his nickname is "Fast Pasta."

I like fast cars, and I like pasta. It's kismet. Someone make me that T-shirt.

It's also worth noting that most sportsbooks have Alfredo at +350 for a top 10. What a steal at +500.

Cocktail of the "It's Daytona Day!"

[I could not write a whole article without that Daytona 500 jingle.]

The Italian Greyhound.

There are so many reasons why I chose this cocktail for my signature Daytona 500 drink:

1. It's called the Italian Greyhound. Like "Fast Pasta," it's meant to be.
2. It's delicious.
3. It's versatile.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces vodka or gin (pick your favorite and run with it)
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 0.5 ounce of simple syrup
• 0.75 ounce Aperol
• 1 sliced grapefruit
• Grapefruit soda

Directions:

1. Add ice and grapefruit slice to your glass
2. Mix vodka (or gin), fresh grapefruit juice, simple syrup and Aperol in shaker
3. Shake well
4. Pour over ice and add a splash of grapefruit soda
5. Garnish with your choice of herbs, I personally like rosemary or thyme

Losing your bets and feeling salty? Just exchange your grapefruit soda for a grapefruit White Claw.

But don't tell anyone I told you to do that.

More Daytona 500 Betting Content:

• Daytona 500 Best Bets
• 3 Daytona 500 Predictions With Value
• Monday's Daytona 500 Weather Forecast
• Daytona 500 DFS Picks
• NASCAR Expert Picks for Daytona 500