A Non-NASCAR Fan Thinks Out Loud About the Daytona 500

To be honest, I don't know a whole lot about NASCAR. But you know what helps? Betting on the Daytona 500 line.

Seriously, if you don't know about a sport, the fastest way to learn about it is to bet on it or get involved fantasy-wise.

Maybe this is where I insert the disclaimer. I'm not endorsing sports betting. Some of you are in Canada, some of you are in the US, some of you are in Vegas. It's different for everyone.

I don't have a problem with it—clearly. Others do, so I apologize for that.

Back to the Daytona 500. Here are some nuggets that I've picked up as a whatever-is-lower-than-casual NASCAR fan.

So there was no testing this offseason, which from what I understand is like a college football team not doing spring practices or training camp. There is some time to prepare now, but not everyone is going to be performing at their peak right now.

How that translates to me—and correct me if I'm wrong—is that this race should be more wide open than in previous seasons.

I've looked at the Tony Stewart odds, but now he's an owner and a driver. To me, that sounds like an NFL head coach who's also the general manager. History shows that there aren't many guys that can do both. Also, he seems to race better when he's pissed off or when there is controversy.

Kyle Busch figures to be a popular pick on the Daytona odds, but I have a hard time grasping him. He dominated the regular season last year, and many people called him the Tiger Woods of NASCAR. But then Jimmie Johnson styled on him in the Sprint Cup, so where does that put him? Is he like a Peyton Manning, who plays great in the regular season but has yet to get over the hump in the playoffs?

My issue with Busch is he's the favorite, and since I just came to the conclusion that it will be a wide-open race, I'll pass on him.

The payout on the Carl Edwards odds at 11.5-to-1 is what I'm feeling. He has a couple of Top Five finishes, and big things are expected of him this season.

Let's see if he gets it done.

I've never watched a full NASCAR race, but I'm going to this Sunday. It's time to try some new flavors.