Fantasy NASCAR Drivers for the Daytona 500: Top Picks for 2025

The Daytona 500, NASCAR’s biggest and most prestigious race, is right around the corner, and fantasy racing fans are gearing up for one of the most unpredictable races of the season. The high-speed, pack-racing style of Daytona International Speedway creates plenty of lead changes, big wrecks, and sleeper picks that can make or break your fantasy lineup.

With drafting strategy, team alliances, and last-lap chaos all playing a role, picking the right fantasy NASCAR drivers for the Daytona 500 can be a challenge. Some drivers thrive at superspeedways, while others have a history of bad luck at Daytona. To help you set your fantasy NASCAR lineup, we’ve broken down the top drivers to target for the 2025 Daytona 500, including elite favorites, dark horse picks, and value plays for DFS and season-long leagues.

Top Fantasy NASCAR Picks for Daytona 500

1. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing – No. 11 Toyota)
   • Daytona 500 Wins: 3 (2016, 2019, 2020)
   • Why He’s a Must-Pick: Hamlin is one of the best superspeedway racers in NASCAR history. His ability to stay out of trouble, control the draft, and time his moves perfectly makes him a top-tier fantasy pick.
2. Ryan Blaney (Team Penske – No 12 Ford)
   • Daytona 500 Wins: 0
   • Why He’s a Must-Pick: Blane is one of the most consistent superspeedway racers in NASCAR. Though he has never one the big one, he has several top 10 finishes, including an 8th place finish in 2023. Expect him to be in contention again.
3. Joey Logano (Team Penske – No 22 Ford)
   • Daytona 500 Wins: 1 (2015)
   • Why He’s a Must-Pick: Logano is a master of blocking and controlling the draft. He’s agressive, which sometimes gets him caught in crashes, but he’s also one of the best at finishing in the front.
4. William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports – No 24 Chevy)
   • Daytona 500 Wins: 1 (2024)
   • Why He’s a Must-Pick: The reigning Daytona 500 champion, Byron looks to build on his 2024 success. With a powerful team behind him, look for Byron to compete for another win here in 2025.

Sleeper and Dark Horse Picks

1. Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing – No 23 Toyota)
   • Best Daytona 500 Finish: 2nd
   • Why He’s a Sleeper Pick: Bubba is one of NASCAR’s best superspeedway racers and just won in the 2025 duel race on Thursday. He is always a threat here at Daytona.
2. Josh Berry (Wood Brothers Racing – No 21 Ford)
   • Why He’s a Sleeper Pick: Berry joins a new racing team with the Wood Brothers for 2025. The Wood Brothers Racing team has a strong history here at Daytona, as well as superspeedways in general. With a good driver behind the wheel, look for the Wood Brothers to potentially get back in the winner’s circle here with Berry.
3. Erik Jones (Legacy Motor Club – No. 43 Toyota)
   • Why He’s a Sleeper Pick: The No. 43 car always seems to find a way to the front at Daytona, and Jones is a strong superspeedway driver. After being robbed of a victory in the duel races on Thursday, look for him to compete once again come Sunday.
4. Austin Cindric (Team Penske – No. 2 Ford)
   • Why He’s a Sleeper Pick: Cindric won the Daytona 500 as a rookie and knows how to position himself at the end of these races. Having won the duel on Thursday, Cindric looks to become a multiple time winner here at Daytona.
5. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing – No. 47 Chevy)
   • Why He’s a Sleeper Pick: Stenhouse won the 2023 Daytona 500 and is always aggressive at superspeedways. He’s a risky play but has big upside. Stenhouse doesn’t offer much upside at other racetracks, but at Daytona he is always in contention to possibly win.

Best Value Plays for DFS and Salary Cap Fantasy

1. Dillion Brothers: Austin and Ty have a history of running well here at Daytona. Austin is listed at $6900 and will start 15th, and his brother Ty is listed at $5400 and starting 7th. Both have the ability to win this race.
2. Michael McDowell: A previous winner at Daytona, McDowell thrives at superspeedways and usually finds ways to avoid the “big one.”

Daytona 500 Fantasy Strategy: How to Build Your Lineup

Picking the right fantasy NASCAR lineup for Daytona is different from other races. Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:

1. Don’t Rely Too Much on Favorites: Daytona is wildly unpredictable. Even the best drivers can get caught in “The Big One.” Spread out your lineup with a mix of elite drivers, sleepers, and value picks.
2. Focus on Drivers Who Excel at Superspeedways: Some drivers are better at Daytona and Talladega than they are at other tracks. Look at past Daytona 500 finishes and superspeedway stats before setting your lineups.
3. Consider Starting Position (But Not Too Much): Unlike short tracks, starting position doesn’t matter as much at Daytona. Mid-pack drivers often finish up front due to drafting and strategy.
4. Stack Teammates and Manufacturer Alliances: Toyota, Ford, and Chevy teams work together at Daytona. The same applies with stacking teammates like Hendrick Motorsports or Team Penske. When push comes to shove at the end of the race, these alliances will stick together to give them the best possible chance to win.

The Daytona 500 is one of the most exciting races of the year, and fantasy NASCAR players need to approach it with a mix of strategy, risk-taking, and gut instincts. While top-tier drivers like Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano are safer picks, don’t sleep on dark horses like Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, and Josh Berry.

If you build a well-balanced lineup, focus on superspeedway specialists, and avoid overly agressive drivers, you’ll have a great shot at winning your fantasy NASCAR contests for the Daytona 500. Good luck and enjoy the race!