The Daytona 500 has  not always been kind to Tony Stewart as his average start position in the race of 8.5 has translated into an average finish of 17.9; however, there have been some bright spots for the veteran driver. Stewart, who placed 16th at Daytona last year, owns three top five and six top 10 finishes in 14 career Daytona 500 entries.

Stewart’s record at Daytona International Speedway is far more impressive, though. The Indiana native has four wins and 13 top 10 results in 28 appearances at the famed track, leading many to believe, including the odds makers, it is only a matter of time before he takes the checkered flag at the Daytona 500.

Stewart will certainly have his work cut out for him as a host of former 500 champions attempt to notch another victory in the circuit’s biggest and most prestigious race. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Matt Kenseth are just of few previous Daytona winners looking to best Stewart and the rest of the field this afternoon. Gordon is a three time Daytona 500 winner and Kenseth, who made the switch to Joe Gibbs Racing this off-season, captured his second win at Daytona last year.

Other notables include Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick, who are listed at +900 and +1000 odds, respectively, to win today’s race. Harvick is seeking his second Daytona 500 win (2007) while Busch is still chasing his first. Pole sitter Danica Patrick, who drives the No. 10 Chevy for Stewart-Haas Racing, is drawing +2000 odds to become the first female Daytona 500 winner.

Odds to win 2013 Daytona 500: Provided by PlayersOnly.ag

Tony Stewart +800
Kevin Harvick +900
Kyle Busch +1000
Matt Kenseth +1000
Dale Earnhardt Jr. +1200
Jimmie Johnson +1200
Kasey Kahne +1200
Jeff Gordon +1200
Brad Keselowski +1200
Denny Hamlin +1500
Greg Biffle +1800
Clint Bowyer +1800
Carl Edwards +2000
Danica Patrick +2000
Jeff Burton +2500
Jamie McMurray +2500
Martin Truex Jr. +2500
Mark Martin +3000
Joey Logano +3000
Paul Menard +3000
Ryan Newman +3000
Kurt Busch +3000
Marcos Ambrose +4000
Austin Dillion +4000
Juan Montoya +5000
Ricky Stenhouse +5000
Trevor Bayne +7500
Aric Almirola +7500
Bobby Labonte +10000
David Gilliland +20000
Dave Blaney +20000
Casey Mears +20000
Travis Kvapil +2000
Field (Any Other Driver) +2500

Matt Kenseth (+800): Kenseth has won two of the last four Daytona 500 races, including last year’s split day event. He has a new team this year in Joe Gibbs Racing, but one that is proven on restricter plate tracks such as Daytona International Speedway. In addition to his two Daytona wins, Kenseth also has five top 10 finishes in 13 Daytona 500 races.

Tony Stewart (+800): For all of Stewart’s success on the Sprint Cup circuit he has never won the Daytona 500. That does not mean he has not experienced a great deal of success at Daytona International, though. In 28 starts (14 of those being the Daytona 500) at the track, Stewart, who will start Sunday’s race from the five hole (Danica Patrick won the pole), has four wins and 13 top 10 finishes.

Jimmie Johnson (+900): The Daytona 500 is not exactly Johnson’s cup of tea, but he did win the race in 2006. In 11 career Daytona 500 starts Johnson has four top 10 finishes and two poles, but his average start position in those outings was a stellar 8.3 while his average finishing position was a less commendable 20.9.

2013 Daytona 500 Odds: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Matt Kenseth +800
Tony Stewart +800
Jimmie Johnson +900
Kevin Harvick +1000
Dale Earnhardt Jr +1000
Brad Keselowski +1200
Kyle Busch +1200
Jeff Gordon +1200
Denny Hamlin +1500
Kasey Kahne +1800
Clint Bowyer +1800
Greg Biffle +2000
Carl Edwards +2000
Kurt Busch +2500
Martin Truex Jr +2500
Danica Patrick +3000
Jeff Burton +3000
Jamie McMurray +3000
Ricky Stenhouse +3000
Ryan Newman +3000
Joey Logano +3000
Mark Martin +3000
Marcos Ambrose +4000
Paul Menard +4000
Aric Almirola +5000
Juan Montoya +5000
Trevor Bayne +6000
Casey Mears +7500
Austin Dillon +7500
Travis Kvapil +10000
Dave Blaney +10000
David Gilliland +10000
Bobby Labonte +10000

The format for tomorrow’s event consists of 30 lap, 25 lap, and 20 lap races and includes last season’s pole winners as well as previous Sprint Unlimited winners.

Previous victors in this year’s field include Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2008, 2003), Jeff Gordon (1994, 1997), Jimmie Johnson (2005), Tony Stewart (2001, 2002, 2007), Kevin Harvick (2009, 2010), Denny Hamlin (2006), Kurt Busch (2011), and Kyle Busch (2012). Last year’s Sprint Cup Champion, Brad Keselowski, will not participate as he did not win a pole last year nor has he won a previous Sprint Unlimited event.

NASCAR Sprint Unlimited Betting Odds: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Matt Kenseth +800
Kevin Harvick +800
Kyle Busch +800
Dale Earnhardt Jr. +800
Denny Hamlin +1000
Jimmie Johnson +1000
Jeff Gordon +1000
Tony Stewart +1000
Kasey Kahne +1200
Carl Edwards +1200
Greg Biffle +1200
Joey Logano +1500
Martin Truex Jr. +1500
Kurt Busch +2000
Mark Martin +2500
Juan Pablo Montoya +2500
Marcos Ambrose +2500
Aric Almirola +2500
Field (Any Other Driver) +5000

Jimmie Johnson (4/1): Johnson narrowly missed a sixth Sprint Cup title last season, finishing just 39 points behind Keselowski. There is no reason to believe Johnson, who won five races and procured 18 top finishes last year, will be out of the championship mix in 2013. Given his level of consistency, the California native may be the best play on the board at 4-1 odds.

Brad Keselowski (17/2): Keselowski, who drives the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford (switched to this year) for Penske Racing, emerged as a major NASCAR presence in 2011, capturing three wins and 14 top 10 finishes. The Michigan native became a dominant force last year, though, registering five victories and 23 top 10′s en route his first ever Sprint Cup Championship.

Denny Hamlin (17/2): Hamlin finished sixth in last year’s Chase for the Cup with 2329 points, leaving him 72 points shy of a championship. Hamlin tied Keselowski in wins with five and he notched one more top five finish than the circuit champ with 14. Has proven himself a consistent challenger to the throne and he has the backing of one of the best owners in Joe Gibbs.

Kyle Busch (17/2): Busch finished down in the standings last season, taking 13th with a total of 1133 points. Despite the poor finish and one win season, no one is doubting Busch’s talent or his ability to win the championship.

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Odds to Win the 2013 Sprint Cup Championship: Provided by Bovada.lv

Jimmie Johnson 4/1
Brad Keselowski 17/2
Denny Hamlin 17/2
Kyle Busch 17/2
Kasey Kahne 9/1
Jeff Gordon 12/1
Matt Kenseth 12/1
Tony Stewart 12/1
Carl Edwards 14/1
Clint Bowyer 14/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 14/1
Greg Biffle 14/1
Martin Truex Jr. 16/1
Kevin Harvick 20/1
Jamie McMurray 33/1
Joey Logano 40/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 50/1
Ryan Newman 50/1

Odds makers at online sports book TopBet.com lists five time Sprint Cup points champion  Jimmie Johnson as the race favorite at +400 NASCAR Odds while defending Sprint Cup champ Tony Stewart is getting +600.  Harvick is installed with third best winning odds at +800 while Greg Biffle backers are getting +1000 odds along with Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin.

Several top drivers experienced problems qualifying such as Kenseth (18), Gordon (20), Edwards (21), Stewart (23) and Kyle Busch (25).

Greg Biffle is the current Sprint Cup points leader with 273 followed by Kenseth (254), Dale Earnhardt Jr., (254), Martin Truex Jr., (253),  and Harvick (249).

Odds makers at most off shore sports shops list Tony Stewart, at +450 NASCAR Odds, as favorite to win the 2012 Sprint Cup Championship. Jimmie Johnson backers are getting +550 while Edwards and Biffle backers are getting +750. At +800 are Harvick and Kyle Busch while Earnhardt and Gordon are getting +1000.

STP 400 Kansas – Odds to Win

Jimmie Johnson     +400
Tony Stewart     +600
Kevin Harvick     +800
Greg Biffle     +1,000
Matt Kenseth     +1,000
Jeff Gordon     +1,000
Carl Edwards     +1,000
Denny Hamlin     +1,000
Brad Keselowski +1,500
Kasey Kahne     +1,200
D Earnhardt Jr  +1,200
Martin Truex Jr +2,500
Clint Bowyer     +2,500
Mark Martin     +2,500
Ryan Newman     +3,500
AJ Allmendinger +2,500
Kurt Busch     +5,000
Jeff Burton     +6,000
Paul Menard     +7,500
Joey Logano     +10,000
Juan P Montoya  +10,000
Jamie McMurray     +10,000
Marcos Ambrose     +10,000
Regan Smith     +30,000
Bobby Labonte     +30,000
Aric Almirola     +30,000
David Ragan     +30,000
David Gilliland +30,000
Field              +5,000

In current points standings, 42 year old Vancouver, Wash., native Greg Biffle of Roush Fenway Racing, is leading the pack with 195 points. Richard Childress Racing’s Kevin Harvick is second in the standings seven points off the pace of Stewart with 188 and followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., of the Hendrick Team in third. Stewart, odds makers favorite is -18 points back of Biffle in the fourth position with 177. Martin Truex Jr., rounds out the top-five points earners with 175.

Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth, also of Rousch Fenway Racing, is currently sixth in the standings, -22 points back with 173. Denny Hamlin, driver of the Joe Gibbs racing Toyota is in seventh with 171 followed by Clint Boyer with 157 and Johnson in ninth with 156. Ryan Newman is 10th with 155, Paul Menard is 11th with 148 and Edwards is 12th in the standings with 146.

If I were to make a NASCAR Odds futures wager on the 2012 Sprint Cup at this point, my pick would come from these top five of Stewart, Busch, Johnson, Edwards and Harvick. For Matt Kenseth to win he must be more consistent with top finishes. Last years battle between Stewart and Edwards was a classic and I look for much of the same in 2012 between Stewart and any of the top drivers.

Odds to win the 2012 Sprint Cup Championship (provided by sports book (Bovada.lv)

Tony Stewart 4/1
Kyle Busch 5/1
Jimmie Johnson 6/1
Carl Edwards 13/2
Kevin Harvick 7/1
Eale Earnhardt Jr. 9/1
Matt Kenseth 10/1
Brad Keselowski 12/1
Denny Hamlin 12/1
Jeff Gordon 12/1
Greg Biggle 14/1
Kasey Kahne 20/1
Clint Bowyer 40/1
Ryan Newman 40/1
Jeff Burton 60/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 80/1

With Daytona now history, teams will be looking forward to settling into the Sprint Cup Series points battle, currently led by Daytona winner Kenseth. However, Kenseth is not the favorite for Phoenix, according to oddsmakers at TopBet.com. That honor goes to Jimmie Johnson, coming into the race getting +400 odds followed by Tony Stewart getting +700. Gordon is expected to be in the mix getting +800 followed by Kasey Kahne (+1000) and Kenseth (+1,200).

Complete NASCAR Odds for Subway Fresh Fit 500

Jimmie Johnson +400,
Tony Stewart +700,
Jeff Gordon +800,
Carl Edwards +700
Kyle Busch +700
Kevin Harvick +1000
Kasey Kahne +1000
Denny Hamlin +1000
Matt Kenseth +1200
Brad Keselowski +1500
Greg Biffle +1800
Ryan Newman +2000
Dale Earnhardt Jr. +2500
Martin Truex Jr. +3000
Clint Bowyer +3000
AJ Almendinger +3000
Mark Martin +4000
Jeff Burton +4000
Joey Logano +5000
Kurt Busch +5000
Juan Pablo Montoya +5000
Jamie McMurray +5000
Paul Menard +6000
Marcos Ambrose +7500
Regan Smith +10,000
David Ragan +50,000
Bobby Labonte +50,000
Field +6000

Joining Stewart on the favorites list is Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr., getting +850. Carl Edwards starts from the pole position but is lined lower at +1000 ($100 wager to win $1,000. Three time winner Jeff Gordon is also lined at +1000.

Edwards, Matt Kenseth (+1800) and Greg Biffle (+2200), teammates with Roush Fenway Racing, earned the top three positions in qualifying. Edwards and Biffle qualified in time trials earlier this week while Kenseth won the No. 3 spot by winning the second of two qualifying races on Thursday. Lining up beside Kenseth on the outside of Row-2 will be Stewart who won the first qualifying race.

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports has four cars in the race and three of them, Earnhardt, Johnson, Gordon and Kasey Kahne will be starting in the top eight.

Starting positions for all 43 drivers.

Row 1 – No. 99 Carl Edwards, Fastenal Ford, No. 15 Greg Biffle 3M Ford
Row 2 – No. 14 Tony Stewart, Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, No. 4 Matt Kenseth, Best Buy Ford
Row 3 – No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr., Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet, No. 78 Regan Smith, Furniture Row Chevrolet
Row 4 – No. 9 Marcos Ambrose, Stanley Ford, No. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe’s Chevrolet
Row 5 – No. 31 Jeff Burton, Caterpillar Chevrolet, No. 33 Elliott Sadler, Gen Mills Chevrolet
Row 6 – No. 20 Joey Logano, Home Depot Toyota, No. 33 Michael McDowell, KLOVE/Curp Ford
Row 7 – No. 29 Kevin Harvick, Budweiser Chevrolet, No. 18 Kyle Busch, M&M’s Brown Toyota
Row 8 – No. 22 AJ Almendinger, Shell Pennzoil Dodge, No. 24 Jeff Gordon, Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet
Row 9 – No. 7 Robby Gordon MAPE Dodge, No. 18 Ryan Newman, US Army Chevrolet
Row 10 – No. 1 Jamie McMurray, Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, Kasey Kahne, Farmers Insurance Chevrolet
Row 11 – No. 6 Ricky Stenhourse Eco Boost Ford, No. 55 Mark Martin, Aaron’s Toyota
Row 12 – No. 2 Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite Dodge, Dave Blaney, Ollie’s Bargain Chevrolet
Row 13 – No. 34 David Ragan, Scorpion Truck Bedliners Ford, No. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Parts Toyota
Row 14 – No. 43 Eric Almirola, Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes Ford, No. 51 Kurt Busch, Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet
Row 15 – No. 10 Danica Patrick, GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, No. 15 Clint Bowyer, 5-Hour Energy Toyota
Row 16 – No. 11 Denny Hamlin, FedEx Express Toyota, No. 47 Bobby LaBonte, Kroger Toyota
Row 17 – No. 38 David Gilliland, MHP/Power Pak Pudding Ford, No. 87 Joe Nemechek Toyota
Row 18 – No. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya, Target Chevrolet, No. 13, Casey Mears, GEICO Ford
Row 19 – No. 27 Paul Menard, Peak Chevrolet, No. 93, David Reutimann Burger King Toyota
Row 20 – No. 83 Landon Cassill, Burger King Toyota, No. 21 Trevor Bayne, Motorcraft Ford
Row 21 – No. 26 Tony Raines, Front Row Motorsports Ford, No. 30 David Stremme, Inception Toyota
Row 22 – No. 32 Terry Labonte C&J Energy Ford

Tony Stewart , Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson follow getting +1000  with Edwards and Kevin Harvick backers getting +1,200.

It appears oddsmakers were impressed by Busch’s performance in Sunday’s NASCAR Budweiser Shootout, an exhibition race among pole winners. The Budweiser Shootout serves as the launching of all the major Daytona events culminating with the Daytona 500 this Sunday. In a thrilling finish, Busch shot past Tony Stewart to take the checkered flag. The event could be a preview of what NASCAR fans can expect in Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Neither, Busch, Stewart or Edwards has ever won the Daytona 500. Of the leaders, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson have won once. Often the Daytona winner is not one of the favorites as Trevor Bayne’s 2012 victory shows. The past five winners have never won a NASCAR championship, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray and Bayne.

NASCAR Odds – 2012 Daytona 500

Kevin Harvick +1200, Jimmie Johnson +1000
Carl Edwards  +1200, Jeff Gordon +1000
Tony Stewart  +1000, Kasey Kahne +1800
D.Earnhardt Jr +800,  Kyle Busch +800
Denny Hamlin  +2000, Brad Keselowski +2,200
Kurt Busch    +2000, Clint Bowyer +300
Jeff Burton   +3500, Matt Kenseth +2500
Greg Biffle   +2000, Joey Logano +3500
Paul Menard   +4000, AJ Allmendinger +3000
Jamie McMurray +1500, David Ragan +6000
Juan P Montoya +4000, Martin Truex Jr +3000
Ryan Newman   +3500, Mark Martin +5000
Regan Smith   +6500, Bobby Labonte +10,000
Ricky Stanhouse +6000, Marcos Ambrose +3000
Trevor Bayne   +5000, Michael Waltrip +10,000
Dave Blaney +12,500,  Danica Patrick +3000
David Gilliland +7500, Field +2500

We’ll be featuring horsebetting odds on Friday as we can get them for the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Sprint, Marathon, and Fillies Turf, also on the Filly & Mare Sprint, Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies, Emirates Airlines Filly & Mare Turf and Ladies’ Classic.

The following day on November 6th, you can place your horse racing wagers on the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf, Sentinent Jet Sprint, Turf Sprint, Grey Goose Juvenile, TVG Mile, Dirt Mile, Emirates Airline Turf and last but not least the Breeder’s Cup Classic.

For Nov. 5 (Saturday) we will try to bring you up to the minute odds for the Breeders Cup events as we get them. Currently we have the odds lineup for the Lady's Classic and Saturday's Breeders Cup Classic. All odds courtesy of Bodog.eu sports and race book.

Odds for Friday's Lady's Cup Classic  Saturday Nov. 5

Post                               Trainer/Jockeye                         Odds

1  Miss Match                   Neil Drysdale/ Garrett Gomez       10-1
2  Pachattack                   Gerard Butler/ Rajiv Maragh         12-1
3  It's Tricky                    Kiaran McLaughlin/R. Dominguez   5-1
4  Satan's Quick Chick      Jeff Odintz/ Edgar Prado              30-1
5  Ask The Moon              Martin Wolfson/ J. Castellano        6-1
6  Royal Delta                  Bill Mott/Joze Lezcano                  5-2
7  Ultra Blend                  Art Sherman/David Flores              8-1
8  Plum Pretty                  Bob Baffert/R. Bejarano              *2-1
9  Medaglia d'Amour         Ben Cecil/ Pat Valenzuela            30-1
10 Super Espresso            Todd Peltcher/ John Velazquez     20-1

 Breeders Cup Classic (Nov 6)

Post                       Trainer/Jockeye                Odds

1  Prayer for Relief       Bob Baffert/Rafael Bejarano           30-1
2  Flat Out                  Charles Dickey/Alex Solis                 6-1
3  Drosselmeyer          Bill Mott/Jose Lezcano                    15-1
4  Ruler on Ice            Kelly Breen/Garrett Gomez              30-1
5  So You Think          Aiden O'Brien/Ryan Moore                5-1
6  Ice Box                  Nick Zito/Corey Nakatani                 30-1
7  Rattlesnake Bridge  K. McLaughlin/J Velazquez               30-1
8  Game On Dude      Bob Baffert/Chantal Sutherland         10-1
9  Stay Thirsty            Todd Pletcher/J Castellano               12-1
10 Havre de Grace       Larry Jones/Ramon Dominguez         3-1
11 Headache              Michael Maker/Paco Lopez               12-1
12 Uncle Mo                Todd Pletcher/J Velazquez               5-2
13 To Honor & Serve     Bill Mott/Jose Lezcano                   12-1