Daytona Speedway Showdown: 2024 United Rentals 300 Preview

Daytona Speedway Showdown: Definitely Not Custer's Last Stand!

Odds Favorites in Daytona
Sleeper picks for the win

The NASCAR Xfinity Series kicks off this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Defending champion Cole Custer returns to defend his title after a walk-off victory in Phoenix last November. Three months later, he’ll take on a field featuring multiple title challengers from last season. Justin Allgaier and Sam Mayer return to the Xfinity grid again this season and, per 2024 United Rentals 300 Odds, will be challengers again.

2024 United Rentals 300 Odds: Favorites in Daytona

Cole Custer (+300)

Custer’s best career finish in Daytona came last season with fifth place in the fall race. He’s only led 10 laps total in eight races there. He performs worst at speedways over two miles long compared to any other type of track in his Xfinity career. He’s averaging a 15th-place finish there compared to 10th or better in other formats. He should fare well in his title defense but it may not start well at Daytona.

Justin Allgaier (+350)

Allgaier came within six points of the title in 2023. Luckily, he starts the 2024 season at one of the four tracks where he earned a win on the 2023 NASCAR schedule. Allgaier’s consistently been one of the best drivers in Daytona in the Xfinity Series over the last three years. He’s made the top five in four of his last six races there. He’ll likely be near the front again.

Sam Mayer (+500)

Mayer’s boom-or-bust results in the Xfinity playoffs doomed his chances at a title in 2023. He was one of two drivers with two playoff wins but poor results in Bristol, Texas, and Martinsville kept him third in the Xfinity NASCAR point standings. Unfortunately, Daytona’s his worst track on the calendar. He’s finished in the top 12 once in the fall 2021 race. Aside from that event, he’s finished lower than he’s started.

A.J. Allmendinger (+600)

This season marks Allmendinger’s second full-time Cup schedule but he’s starting 2024 with the Xfinity event. He’s raced very well at Daytona in the past with two poles in Xfinity NASCAR qualifying in his last three races there. That hasn’t translated to wins but he’s still finished in the top five in each of his last four Xfinity events at Daytona. That track records’ translated in the Cup Series, too, with five top-10 finishes in the last six races.

Sheldon Creed (+800)

Creed ended the 2023 season on a good note with back-to-back second-place finishes. His seventh place in the Xfinity championship was a big improvement over 2022, when he finished 14th. He switches to Joe Gibbs Racing this season and could see better results with a team that’s won two of the last three Xfinity titles. Four Xfinity races have seen two top-six finishes; the other two were 34th and 36th.

Austin Hill (+900)

Hill’s stellar start in 2023 trailed off in the playoffs and he managed fifth by the end of the postseason. He does start this season at arguably his best event of the season. He’s won the last two season openers in Daytona, including a win from pole last year. He took pole and led the most laps in the fall race last season but managed 23rd by the chequered flag after a crash. He’ll be back at the front again to start 2024.

2024 United Rentals 300 Odds: Sleeper picks for the win

Shane van Gisbergen (+1400)

The rookie made waves in 2023 with a win in his Cup Series debut at Chicago. Now, van Gisbergen has a full-time spot in the Xfinity series. Could he surprise NASCAR again with a win here? It’s certainly possible.

Parker Kligerman (+5000)

Kligerman’s stood out in NASCAR qualifying at Daytona. Five career Xfinity starts there included four top-five positions. Unfortunately, he’s struggled to convert that into top results with just two top-five finishes. This could be the race he makes it through.

Parker Retzlaff (+40000)

This is one of the longest odds of the weekend but Retzlaff’s been solid in his first two Xfinity races at Daytona. He finished fourth and seventh last year after starting 16th and 23rd, respectively. He’s a very long shot but has enough good results to warrant consideration for a big payout.

2024 United Rentals 300 Odds: Picks for victory

If the 2024 Xfinity Series season is anything like 2023, it’ll be a close fight from start to finish. Of the favorites, Hill and Allmendinger looks like the best contenders. It’s hard to imagine Hill going three for three so go with Allmendinger. Of the longer shots, van Gisbergen is the best story but Retzlaff offers an incredible payoff.

For NASCAR betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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