DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Here are my bold predictions for the 2025 Daytona 500:
7. Denny Hamlin finishes behind Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 01: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota looks on prior to practice for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
6. Kyle Busch doesn’t finish inside the top 10 despite being a top 3 favorite
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 01: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 zone Chevrolet looks on prior to practice for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
5. Kyle Larson finishes outside the top 15
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 21: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates with the gladiator sword in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 21, 2024 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
4. Daniel Suarez finishes top 10 or better
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 04: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Jockey Chevrolet, prepares to to qualify for the NASCAR Clash at the Coliseum at Los Angeles Coliseum on February 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
3. William Byron finishes somewhere outside of the top 10
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – APRIL 07: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Ruby Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 07, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
2. Shane van Gisbergen finishes top 5
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 02: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #91 Enhance Health Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 at the Chicago Street Course on July 02, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
1. Ryan Blaney will be the winner of the Daytona 500
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – OCTOBER 29: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Discount Tire Ford, poses next to his winner sticker in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 29, 2023 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
