Elliott seems to have the right formula in winning pole positions in the Dayton 500, as he’s managed to do that two years in a row. He’s just the fifth driver in the history of NASCAR to go back to back. While Elliott has the prime position for Daytona, he could still lose that privilege if he runs into some sore of accident during in the Duel. Furthermore, the top 10 drivers in the Duel will receive points, something that hasn’t been done in any of the previous editions of the event.
Brad Keselowski
Keselowski shares the shortest odds of +750 to win the Daytona 500 with Dale Earnhardt Jr., and snatching a favorable starting spot in the Great American Race should at least marginally boost his chances of winning. Keselowski had the best time during the qualifying speeds last Sunday until Elliott and Earnhardt Jr. topped him.
Kyle Busch
Busch is no stranger to winning Duel races. He’s done it four times before, the last being in last year’s staging of the event. Dating back to 2004, Busch has a win, seven top 5’s and eight top 10’s in 23 races at Daytona International Speedway.
Drivers to watch in Duel 2
Denny Hamlin
It’s been a long time since someone stitched together two-consecutive Daytona 500 wins and Hamlin will try to accomplish the rare feat this Sunday. A good showing in the Can-Am Duels should give his chances in Sunday’s race a nice boost. After all, he took home the title in last year’s Daytona 500 off the 11th starting position. Note that the four Daytona 500 winners before him took off from inside the top 10 starting positions.
Jimmie Johnson
Johnson needs no introduction in every race he’s competing. That said, the Daytona International Speedway appears to not recognize his greatness, as Johnson owns a mere average finish of 17.5 there, the lowest among all 23 tracks according to DriverAverages.com.
Austin Dillon
Dillon is still in search of his first win, but it’s no secret that he’s one of the most talented young drivers in the circuit. The 2013 Nationwide Series champion is poised to show what he’s got this Thursday at Daytona International Speedway, where he has five top 10 finishes in seven races.
