2019 Racing Experience 300 Betting Preview

NASCAR Xfinity Series Betting Preview
Saturday February 16th, 2019 2:30PM EST
by Jay Horne, NASCAR Handicapper, NASCARWagers.com

On Saturday we move one step closer to the 61st running of the Daytona 500 as we ramp up the racing action with the start of the 2019 Xfinity Series campaign and the running of the Racing Experience 300 at Daytona International Speedway. A few of the Cup Series’ biggest stars will be in competition including the likes of Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski. Alongside the Cup Series stars will be a group of young talented drivers looking to capture Daytona glory. We take this time to preview tomorrow’s race and provide some potential betting options in our 2019 Racing Experience 300 betting preview!

Just like last night’s Truck Series race, expect to see a vast array of different drivers, driver number changes, and team changes when the first green flag falls tomorrow for the Xfinity Series. The 2019 Xfinity Series is filled with promising rookie talents that include the likes of Noah Gragson, Justin Haley, John Hunter Nemechek, Noah Gragson, and Chase Briscoe who all step into full-time seats. Combine those rising stars with notable Xfinity Series regulars like Justin Allgaier, Cole Custer, Brandon Jones, Austin Cindric and budding star Christopher Bell which gives us a full field of promising youth. Therefore, we have numerous options to consider for tomorrow’s 300 mile opener at the highbanks of Daytona International Speedway.

As I have stated all week, the best play here is to be extremely conservative. The opening plate races in these lower series are even more predictable than the standard that coincides with superspeedway racing. With so many young drivers eyeing an opportunity for victory, there is bound to be more carnage on the way. As a result, our suggested picks and drivers to consider will need to be lucky enough to avoid the wrecks that are sure to happen. I primarily base my thoughts and suggestions surrounding ability, probability, and odds. However, anything can happen in these races just as we saw last night when Austin Hill scored the first victory of his career in the NextEra 250 in the Gander Outdoors Truck Series. At the end of last night’s Truck Series event, only about 6-7 cars were left undamaged and fighting for a chance to win on the lead lap. Therefore before we even discuss driver options, just know we need a little luck to go our way.

From an odds standpoint, the current odds are pretty “weird.” Brad Keselowski (+350) and Chase Elliott (+500) are listed as your obvious favorites. Behind those two Cup Series veterans, you have nearly the entire listed field in the 10-1 to 18-1 range. I personally believe that suggest that the thoughts I had going into this race are true. My previous thoughts were “this race is wide open” and it appears odds makers are in agreement. Keselowski and Elliott are both deserving favorites. Keselowski is the best plate racer in the business, though I think Joey Logano is starting to join the argument, and Elliott has shown some really good skills at the plate races in his young career. Elliott is also driving for JR. Motorsports who has plenty of prior success at Daytona including wins in 3 of the last 6 races at Daytona. Elliott’s only plate victory come in this race in 2016 behind a JR Motorsports Chevy and he will have the opportunity to do it again.

If the Xfinity Series cars race similar to what we have saw in the Cup Series, this race could be a lot less chaotic than expected. I have a feeling we will see more “high lane” racing meaning track position could have some importance. If those conditions unfold, it puts a premium on the better drivers. For that reason, I believe the likes of Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick jump up the ladder. Bell may not be viewed as a plate driver but he has shown the ability to get it done including a 3rd place finish in the Firecracker 250 last July at Daytona. Aside from Keselowski and Elliott, Bell is the best driver in this talented series. Likewise, Tyler Reddick deserves some attention as well. Reddick will be driving the #2 car for Richard Childress Racing and is the defending winner of this race. Reddick is making the move to the Cup Series this year but is filling in for the RCR Xfinity team to go for his 2nd straight Daytona opening win. Both Bell and Reddick have some value from a mid-range perspective and should be notorious threats if things do not get too chaotic.

Chase Briscoe, Justin Allgaier, and Noah Gragson are some notorious names that are worth consideration. However, I simply think their odds are overvalued. Cole Custer is a solid driver but does not necessarily interest me in this particular type of race. One driver that does pique my interest in both the betting and fantasy department includes rookie Justin Haley. If you remember, Haley nearly won the Firecracker 250 in his 2nd Xfinity Series start last July. After he captured the checkered flag, NASCAR ruled he had dipped below the yellow line for the winning pass in the tri-oval. While the win was taken away, Haley’s performance should not be forgotten. He has been great at these races in all series and should be a target at 20-1 odds.

From a betting standpoint, I don’t have anymore to add. However, I will give fantasy players some advice if they are willing to listen. Instead of filling your lineup with the maximum salary allowed, pick the bulk of the drivers starting in the back. The winning fantasy lineup in these plate races are usually just part of the numbers game. Taking drivers starting upfront is very risky because of the sheer amount of chaos. Instead, do not be afraid to take several mid to bottom tier drivers and hope they can avoid the wrecks. Obviously you still need luck to go your way but if you get that luck; it’s a great way to win fading the chalk.

Already got a primary sportsbook? For NASCAR betting, everyone needs a 2nd option. Get excellent betting odds by signing up now at Bovada

Racing Experience 300 Suggested Bets:

Chase Elliott +500 (1 unit)
Chase Briscoe +1350 (.5 unit)
Tyler Reddick +1500 (.5 unit)
Christopher Bell +1500 (.5 unit)
Justin Haley +2000 (.5 unit)