Coke Zero Sugar 400 Picks, Predictions, Odds 2023: NASCAR Culminates Regular Season at Daytona

Learn about the top strategies for betting on NASCAR’s regular-season finale with our predictions and picks for the Coke Zero Sugar 400, using the odds from our top sports betting apps.

The NASCAR Cup Series will make its way back to where it all began for the 26th and last regular-season race of 2023. The iconic Daytona International Speedway will host the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night, providing drivers with a final opportunity to secure a spot in the playoffs and compete for the season championship.

Many may believe that a walk-off victory is unlikely, but recent events prove otherwise. Austin Dillon’s win at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 last year, despite a chaotic race, shows that anything can happen at a superspeedway. Even with a comfortable lead in points over Ty Gibbs, Bubba Wallace is not guaranteed a playoff spot.

With drivers eager to qualify for a win, Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin will also be contending for the regular-season points title and the 15 bonus playoff points it offers. Given the high stakes, what could be a more fitting location for this crucial race than the heart of racing itself?

Below are our top selections and predictions for the 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, based on odds from BetMGM, bet365, and SuperBook. Picks are rated on a confidence scale of 1 to 5 stars.

Take a look at our NASCAR Cup Series betting odds

Coke Zero Sugar 400 picks

• Outright winner: Brad Keselowski (+1300 via BetMGM) ⭐
• Top-10 finish: Michael McDowell (+140 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐
• Driver matchup: Ross Chastain (+105 via SuperBook) vs. Ty Gibbs ⭐⭐⭐

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Coke Zero Sugar 400 odds

Coke Zero Sugar 400 predictions

Outright winner: Brad Keselowski (+1300 via BetMGM) ⭐

Since Brad Keselowski became a part owner of RFK Racing in 2022, the team has secured three wins, all with Chris Buescher behind the wheel. It’s curious to note that Keselowski, as a driver-owner, has yet to claim victory himself, but one can only speculate that he is eager to break through and cross the finish line first.

The No. 6 car is a strong contender at Daytona, as evidenced by Keselowski’s past performances. Despite recent finishes not reflecting his skill at the two-mile superspeedway, Keselowski has claimed victory three times at Daytona, including in duel races. Additionally, he has achieved even greater success at Talladega.

Since the Next Gen Car was introduced in 2022, the experienced driver has consistently led the pack in all three Daytona races. Despite qualifying in 12th place for the upcoming Coke Zero Sugar 400, he will line up next to his RFK teammate on the sixth row. The Fords have a history of effectively collaborating in the draft to advance to the front on superspeedways.

Since Keselowski has already secured a spot in the playoffs based on points, he can now give it his all during the regular-season finale. He is considered one of the top contenders to win, and those looking to place a bet can still get the best odds at +1300 through BetMGM.

Top-10 finish: Michael McDowell (+140 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐

At some point during the Coke Zero Sugar 400, chaos is bound to ensue, as is typical in any superspeedway race. This is why it’s wise to keep an eye on drivers who have a skill for navigating through the wreckage and completing the race. Michael McDowell has consistently demonstrated his expertise in this area throughout his racing career.

McDowell secured his spot in the NASCAR Playoffs by winning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in August. This means he can race for additional points and the victory on Saturday without any risks.

McDowell demonstrated his survival skills by winning the 2021 Daytona 500 with duct tape covering the right front fender of his car. Although his previous two starts at Daytona were disappointing, a larger data sample is needed to evaluate his performance on superspeedways. McDowell has achieved three top-10 finishes and placed 14th or better in six of his last nine races at Daytona.

If McDowell is able to utilize his survival skills and make it to the end of the race, placing a bet on him to finish in the top 10 would be a smart choice. It is worth noting that bet365’s odds of +140 offer a higher payout compared to other sportsbooks, where this prop bet can be as low as -110.

Driver matchup: Ross Chastain (+105 via SuperBook) vs. Ty Gibbs ⭐⭐⭐

Ty Gibbs is the sole driver with a mathematical chance of overtaking Bubba Wallace for the final playoff spot as they head into the regular-season finale. Despite this possibility, the 32-point difference seems nearly impossible to overcome, especially given Wallace’s strong track record at Daytona.

Gibbs must aggressively pursue a victory or accumulate points in order to maintain his position in the standings. Playing it safe is not an option for him, as it could lead to being involved in a crash.

This makes a +105 bet on Ross Chastain in this driver head-to-head matchup worth considering. Plus-money odds are uncommon in driver matchups at superspeedways, and Chastain’s spot in the field of 16 means he doesn’t have to concern himself with playoff scenarios.

Additionally, Chastain excels as a superspeedway racer. In his last five starts at Daytona, he has achieved two top-10 finishes, including a ninth-place finish in the Daytona 500 earlier this year. He also secured a victory at Talladega during the spring 2022 race and consistently positions himself at the front of the pack in these high-speed events.

Chastain has a strong possibility of besting Gibbs even if they both make it to the finish line.

Coke Zero Sugar 400 race info

• Date: Saturday, August 26, 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
• TV: NBC
• Defending Winner: Austin Dillon

Picks for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 were made on August 26, 2023 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

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