Xfinity Wawa 250: Austin Hill Eyes Second Daytona Victory

The Xfinity Series returns to Daytona International Speedway this week for the first time since February. In the 22 races since then, winner Austin Hill and a couple of other drivers have set themselves apart at the top of the Xfinity standings. With the stretch of road courses behind them, Xfinity drivers return to the high speeds of Daytona and a familiar oval format. Hill leads the Xfinity Series Wawa 250 odds, but there are plenty of drivers to challenge him.

Hill heavily favored over the field

The NASCAR Daytona schedule is different from typical weeks of NASCAR action. The Xfinity race kicks off Friday before the Cup Series race on Saturday, both a day earlier than usual.

Hill (+450) has some of his lowest odds for victory in 2023 this week. He won the season opener here and has shined at similar high-speed events. A win, most laps led in the Atlanta spring race, and pole position in Talladega are bright spots.

But you must go back to 2003 to find the last time someone swept both Xfinity races at Daytona. Dale Earnhardt Jr. took both wins that season from the front of the grid. It’ll be hard to replicate that. Hill will likely be fighting near the front for the win, but another victory (what would be his fifth this season) seems unlikely.

Cup Series regular Justin Haley’s next in odds at +900. This is Haley’s fifth Xfinity race this season, following fourth place in the Atlanta fall race and 10th in both the Daytona and Atlanta spring events. Historically, he’s done well in superspeedway races. Five Talladega events in his Xfinity career have included two wins and a further three top-10 results. Daytona’s been one of his best tracks in the Cup Series, with one win and another top-10 result. He has a good chance at a win at the NASCAR race this weekend.

Justin Allgaier and Trevor Bayne are tied for the next-best odds at +1000. Allgaier took third in Daytona earlier this year but hasn’t had good results at superspeedways besides that. Twenty-ninth and 17th in the Atlanta races and 28th in Talladega don’t give much confidence this weekend.

Bayne returns this weekend to the track where he made history in 2011 when he became the youngest Daytona 500 winner, a mark that still stands today. He hasn’t raced regularly in years, though. Last year, he appeared in nine Xfinity races after a six-year break from the series. This is his first Xfinity race this season, and backing him for a win is risky.

Longer Xfinity Series Wawa 250 odds to consider for this weekend

Six drivers are tied at +1400, including championship challenger John Hunter Nemechek. He and Hill have provided a couple of NASCAR duels for victory this season. The two have combined for nine wins this season.

Nemechek’s been one of the better drivers on superspeedways this season. Second in the Daytona season opener, plus a win and eighth in Atlanta events, are good marks on his record in 2023. He had a rough go in Talladega to finish 32nd, but given how he’s raced the rest of the season, he’s got a good shot at the win here.

Cole Custer comes into this week with a pair of top-10 results in the last two races. In addition to that, he’s managed ninth in the first Daytona race, fourth in Talladega, and third in the Atlanta fall event. After a brief dropoff in performance in Loudon, Pocono, and Road America, he’s rebounded. At +1400 as well, he could be another worthwhile choice.

This may be the first time rookie Parker Retzlaff’s been mentioned on these odds previews. At +4000, he’s a very long shot to win. But it could be a worthwhile bet. He has five top-10 finishes this season, and almost all have come exclusively at high-speed ovals like Daytona. His best result in 2023 was fourth in the season opener at Daytona. He’s also managed seventh in Talladega and ninth in Michigan. It’s a very long shot, but with nearly 10 times the payout of a Hill win, it could be worth a flyer.

Predictions for the Wawa 250

The Xfinity Series Wawa 250 odds give Hill a massive advantage over the field. The championship leader’s just nine points ahead of Nemechek coming into this weekend. He’s heavily favored, but it’s been so long since someone swept both races. Instead, look for Nemechek or Custer to get the win, with Retzlaff as a low-risk, high-reward option.

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

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