NASCAR Go Bowling 235 preview and upset picks

The NASCAR drivers will brace themselves for a new challenge this Sunday as they head to the Daytona International Speedway Road Course for the first time in Cup Series history for the Go Bowling 235 (3:00 p.m., NBC). The drivers will not be afforded any practice time due to NASCAR’s COVID-19 restrictions, so it could be a very interesting few first laps.

"We will definitely do some simulator work and try to get a better understanding of our car and that racetrack," Ryan Newman told speedwaymedia.com this week. "It’s going to be a lot of green for a lot of people once the green flag drops come Sunday."

The first road race of the season has yielded vastly different odds than usual, as Martin Truex Jr. (+350) and Chase Elliott (+375) – who have combined to win six of the last eight road races dating back to 2017 – are the favorites. Bettors should demand better value with so many unknowns heading into Sunday’s race. Here are three drivers that could upset the Go Bowling 235.

Kevin Harvick (+600)

Fresh off a sweep of the weekend doubleheader at Michigan International Speedway, Kevin Harvick will likely relinquish his oft-reprised role as the betting favorite on Sunday at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course. This is in spite of the fact that he will start on the pole – thanks to NASCAR’s new competition-based formula – while also having the advantageous first pit stall.

Harvick has won on a road course as recently as 2017 (Sonoma) and has an average finishing position of 6.88 over his last eight road races, with 93 laps led in that span. Bettors should jump at the chance to wager on a six-time winner in 2020 at these odds.

Ryan Blaney (+700)

Ryan Blaney was a solid fourth at Michigan on Saturday and was on the lead in Sunday’s race before Brad Keselowski got loose while attempting to pass and wrecked himself and his teammate. But Blaney can shake that off as he attempts to build on his best season to date – he has a win and is fourth in both points and laps led in 2020.

The No. 12 Ford driver owns a victory and two additional Top 5 finishes in his last four races on road courses. The biggest knock against Blaney here is his poor starting position (24th) thanks to Sunday’s accident.

Clint Bowyer (+2000)

Clint Bowyer could buy himself some insurance for the playoffs if he’s able to break through for his first victory of the season at the Daytona Road Course. It’s not out of the realm of possibility for this longshot.

Bowyer has a previous win on a road course (2012 at Sonoma) and has an average finishing position of 7.38 over his last eight road races. He’ll start in 12th.  

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