Daytona 500 2018: Predictions, Odds and Top Drivers for NASCAR Season Opener

Brad Keselowski's troubles in qualifying have done little to dampen expectation surrounding him ahead of the 2018 Daytona 500, as the Team Penske man will go off as the bookmakers' favorite for Sunday's showpiece.

Keselowski will start in 31st position on the grid at the Daytona International Speedway, as he crashed out of his Can-Am Duel three laps from the end. Even so, having been running up front, there is a feeling the 34-year-old can recover over the course of the 500-mile event.

Leading them off on Sunday will be Alex Bowman, who produced a brilliant time in qualifying. Denny Hamlin will be alongside him on the front row.

Here's a look at the latest odds for the race, a preview of which drivers are set to shine and a prediction for Sunday's NASCAR season curtain-raiser.

Daytona 500 Odds

Brad Keselowski (+700)

Denny Hamlin (+1000)

Justin Marks (+1000)

Joey Logano (+1200)

Kevin Harvick (+1200)

Chase Elliott (+1200)

Kyle Busch (+1200)

Kyle Larson (+1200)

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (+1400)

Martin Truex Jr. (+1400)

Jimmie Johnson (+1400)

Figures courtesy of OddsShark and accurate as of Saturday.

Preview

Bowman will have been delighted to have topped the qualifying standings in the buildup to the race, although over the course of 200 2.5-mile laps, beginning this one on the pole isn't key to chances of glory.

Still, as we can see courtesy of Fox: NASCAR, he was pumped up after topping the early time sheets:

The man himself posted the following on Twitter after qualifying:

It's unlikely Bowman will feature in the shake-up for the checkered flag, though, as he has a number of high-class competitors who will be in sharp pursuit of him.

One is Hamlin, who earned victory at this famous race in 2016 and is part of a Joe Gibbs Racing team that has four drivers in the top seven on the grid in Daytona. So not only does the car seemingly have the pace needed, but Hamlin also has winning experience at this circuit.

Kyle Busch is another member of the Joe Gibbs squad, and despite his distinguished racing pedigree, he's never been able to make it to the top step of the podium at Daytona. His best finish is third.

Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Meanwhile, his older brother Kurt is the defending champion in the Daytona 500, moving through the field from 11th to win in 2017. As relayed by the Stewart-Haas Racing team Twitter account, Busch appears to be content with the car ahead of Sunday's race:

The same seems to apply for Keselowski, who despite his issues in qualifying, will still take a lot of confidence into the Daytona 500 race.

After all, despite his crash in the duel, there was some encouraging pace showcased by the Penske star earlier in the run. Keselowski has also said on Twitter that the car is expected to perform better on race day and spirits are still high:

Keselowski has been in excellent form lately, winning the Clash a week ago. His Daytona record is a little sketchy, though, with a third-place finish in 2014 his best finish to date; since then he's only mustered finishes of 41st, 20th and 27th.

Meanwhile, Keselowski's Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, who will start fifth and third respectively, will feel confident of challenging for the win. Justin Marks is also expected to do well in his first Daytona 500 and is clearly excited for the occasion:

All things considered, Hamlin appears to represent the best value with the bookmakers, as he knows what's required to get around the track 200 times in first place; additionally, a strong grid position means he should stay out of trouble at what is always a frantic start.

Keselowski should do enough to move through the field and into the top three, although he's left himself too much work to do come race day.

Prediction: 1. Hamlin, 2. Kyle Busch, 3. Keselowski