2019 Advance Auto Parts Clash Preview

NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series Betting Preview
Sunday February 10th, 2019 3:00PM EST
by Jay Horne, NASCAR Handicapper, NASCARWagers.com

On Sunday, NASCAR returns to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway for the opening race of the season in the Advance Auto Parts Clash. The “Clash” will feature 20 of the most respected names in the Cup Series in a 75 lap exhibition race to set the tone for the upcoming week of festivities at Daytona including the Gander RV Duels on Thursday followed by the 61st running of the Great American Race on Sunday. Before we begin our preparation for NASCAR’s biggest race, we take this time to provide some insight into Sunday’s exciting Clash at Daytona and begin preparations for another profitable betting year in the world of NASCAR.

Last year, I nailed all 4 Cup Series restrictor plate races which helped tremendously in one of the toughest seasons in recent memory for NASCAR betting. Nothing beats restrictor plate racing, for the sports bettor, and nothing beats restrictor plate racing betting odds. As I am excited to get the season started and hopefully nail another big winner, I will be in full spectator mode for Sunday’s Clash at Daytona. I have never been a fan of too much early action at the start of the season and the Clash has typically failed to produce the big payouts like we see in the points races. In the last 10 Clashes at Daytona, Kevin Harvick has won 3 times, Denny Hamlin has won twice, and the likes of Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano, and Brad Keselowski have all captured a victory.

Previous Clash Winners

Judging by the list of previous winners, they’re truly no surprises or victorious underdogs in recent years. Granted this race typically provides an All-Star type lineup and when you combine that factor along with the smaller field (20), the odds are simply not nearly as advantageous as they will be next Sunday when the cars roll off for the Daytona 500. Therefore, I do not see the biggest upside in betting Advance Auto Parts Clash unless you are just tossing some throwaway dollars towards it for engaging action. If that happens to be your prerogative, let’s take a moment to discuss the best betting options for Sunday’s thriller.

With a similar rules package still in effect for this week’s racing at Daytona, we do not have to worry yet about the imminent rules package effects that will be bestowed on the competition in the weeks to come. For now, my personal opinions are based off the remnants of the existing package and the plate racing talents in this year’s Clash. If you plan on betting NASCAR this season, go ahead and get signed up with 5Dimes for the best online odds in the business.

The first name that jumps off the list is Mr. Rowdy Busch at 13-1 odds. Busch is not exactly an overly dominate force on the plate tracks but he can get the job done. The #18 has been hit or miss at most plate races throughout his career. Still out of the 5 victories in plate events in his career, 4 have come at Daytona by way of the 2008 Coke Zero 400, 2012 Clash, and 3 wins in the duel qualifying races for the Daytona 500. Busch has proved the uncanny ability to win at every track throughout every style of racing. For a driver that scored 8 wins in 2018 and has been among the best in the sport for the last several years, the 13-1 odds bring some value for one of Sunday’s biggest threats.

Obviously Denny Hamlin (3-time Clash winner), Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, and Brad Keselowski are deserving favorites as the top plate drivers in the sport. Hamlin and Harvick have won this event 3 times with 5 of those combined victories coming in the last 10 races. Hamlin actually set a record in 2017 by leading the most laps (48) ever in the Clash but failed to get the victory. Needless to say, the argument is solid for any of those drivers chances this Sunday. From purely an odds perspective, I like the big number for both Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson. Plate racing is not exactly among neither of Bowman or Larson’s strengths. However, they are both still good enough to get the job done especially if things get bunched up and wild in the closing laps. Bowman is a guy that I believe will exceed expectations this year and he drove a great race in this event in 2017 when he finished 3rd. Meanwhile, Larson simply has too much talent to be listed at near 25-1 despite his disdain for this type of racing. If I was going to throw out a few long shots, my money would be on those two drivers. Good luck and we will see you back next week when our official picks start with the Daytona 500!