2018 PowerShares QQQ 300 Betting Preview

2018 PowerShares QQQ 300 Betting Preview
NASCAR Xfinity Series Betting Preview
Saturday February 17th, 2:48PM (EST) at Daytona International Speedway
by Jay Horne of NASCARWagers.com, NASCAR Handicapping Service

As we inch closer to the start of the Daytona 500, all eyes will shift towards the Xfinity Series on Saturday afternoon and the running of the Powershares QQQ 300. Several drivers from the Monster Energy Cup Series will join the upcoming stars of the Xfinity Series for a tango of restricting plate racing at Daytona. In the last few years, the Xfinity Series has provided some of the best racing in NASCAR giving rise to many of sports youngest talents. On Saturday, guys like Christopher Bell, Kaz Grala, and Ryan Truex will make their first starts as full-time drivers in the Xfinity Series. As we keep an eye on the new drivers and young talent, we take this time to provide our thoughts for Saturday’s PowerShares QQQ 300 from a betting standpoint.

If you happened to catch my Truck Series preview for Daytona, then you probably already know that I am not releasing any official picks this week as I consider the risk to far outweigh the reward on the opening weekend of the season. Last night’s NextEra Energy Resources 250 was a perfect example as several wrecks took out some of the best cars and by the end of the night the overall favorite in Johnny Sauter captured the checkered flag. While I even pointed out that Sauter was the guy to beat, his odds at 3.5 to 1 just made it nearly impossible to profit from the Truck Series race last night. So if you can’t wait to get your first taste of betting action underway, just remember to keep things limited for this style of racing.

The good news for those wanting to tiptoe into the betting waters is that Saturday’s Xfinity Series race has some upside from a betting standpoint. Obviously restrictor plate racing is very unpredictable by nature but there are enough veterans combined with young drivers racing to create disparity in the odds. With NASCAR betting, you want to have value in any driver that you select and tomorrow’s odds are favorable based on the competition. For starters, we have some of the best guys in the business stepping down from the Cup Series to make a run at the checkered flag. Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson are literally 3 of the best drivers in NASCAR at the moment. Additionally Aric Almirola, Austin Dillon, and Daniel Suarez will also join the PowerShares QQQ 300 lineup from the Cup Series as viable threats to go after the victory.

Logano, Elliott, Almirola, and Dillon are all former winners in the Xfinity Series at Daytona. Larson is not necessarily known for his restrictor plate talents but has proven to be a threat anytime he suits up. Also, I don’t think you could count out Suarez as a former Xfinity Series Champion. However, if we are going to discuss the best options to win tomorrow’s race, then I believe Chase Elliott and Joey Logano stand alone as the two best drivers for this style of racing. Logano is a former Daytona 500 winner and has been extremely strong at all the restrictor plate races throughout his career in any series. Elliott does not have the experience nor the wins compared to Logano. However, he is starting to emerge as one of the better plate racers in the Cup Series and won this race in 2016.

Obviously the Cup Series drivers do not provide the best “value” in terms of betting odds but I am just simply stating the facts in terms of the best drivers for tomorrow’s PowerShares QQQ 300. If we expand our vision to betting odds, then we have several other names that deserve attention. If you are looking for a sportsbook that will provide plenty of NASCAR odds, go ahead and get signed up with 5Dimes for the best odds available.

Judging from the odds, I really do not see any reason to pass up on Ryan Reed at +1650. Ryan Reed’s win in this race in 2015 was seemingly disregarded as just another restrictor plate anomaly. However, Reed’s win in this race again last year solidified his restrictor plate talent and his best performances have come at Daytona. Taking Reed at +1650 still leaves a lot of options for other drivers on your roster. I know guys like Christopher Bell, Daniel Suarez, and others are also in that range. I still think Reed is the best plate racer out of that group. I am huge fan of Christopher Bell and have high expectations for the #20 car this season. However, he has not shown a high aptitude of knowledge in the draft stemming from his Truck Series races. I could say similar things for Suarez even though he has more experience. Therefore, I would not get caught up with the “name” of the driver and their price tag in terms of odds. Instead, make sure you are taking the best drivers for this “style” of racing.

If you want to truly consider a dark horse, let me throw out a name that may not be on your radar in Tyler Reddick. Reddick has shown a lot of plate racing skill in his limited starts. He run upfront in both Daytona races last year before getting caught up in accidents that resulted in dismal finishes. However, he joins JR Motorsports this year and in my opinion one of the best programs in the Xfinity Series at plate racing. He was extremely fast in Saturday practices for what is it worth as well. At nearly 20-1 odds, I think Reddick is great dark horse option.

Of course we do not know how this race is going to unfold, if they will be the “big one”, and how many cars could be potentially wiped out if it happens. If this turns into a race of attrition, you will want to have a few long shots on your roster. If things remain tame, then guys like Elliott and Logano should be your better bets. Therefore my best advice is to include 1-2 favorites and 1-2 more intermediate options to keep a solid ROI if you are going to bet this event. I will personally be a spectator this week as I look to crank up the action next week at Atlanta. However, good luck to all of those that decide to jump into the betting waters!

Looking for the best NASCAR odds for Daytona? Look no further than 5Dimes!