From Bubba Wallace to Ryan Newman: Five ‘Dark Horses’ for the 2021 NASCAR Daytona 500

In just a couple of weeks’ time, the 2021 NASCAR season will officially kick-off. As always, the NASCAR Daytona 500, regarded as one of the most prestigious NASCAR races, will start off the proceedings. It is worth mentioning that aside from the usual suspects, the 500 has often yielded surprising winners.

In 2018, Austin Dillon took an unexpected triumph at the iconic race. In addition to that, there have been many other drivers who delivered unexpected wins at the Daytona 500.

So, this does beg the question, ‘who are the dark horses to win the iconic race’?

Bubba Wallace

The African-American driver is well-known for outperforming the limits of his car. Since the 23XI Racing team is a relatively new player on the field, nobody knows what the car is capable of. This is why he is such a wildcard, especially since there has been no testing in the buildup to the race weekend.

Wallace has also performed decently at the Daytona 500, finishing second in his debut race. Admittedly, he did not enjoy a great race in his second-ever 500 race, but he did finish 15th in the 2020 edition. Without a doubt, Bubba Wallace is an excellent driver and is perfectly capable of pulling off a surprise.

Kyle Larson

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This man is a man on a mission, especially after he missed majority of the 2020 NASCAR Cup season. In the last five Daytona 500 races, he has finished in the Top 10 on three occasions. With the Hendrick Motorsports car under him, arguably the best car on the 2021 Cup Series grid, he should be a force to be reckoned with.

In addition to that, Kyle Larson is a familiar face in Victory Lane. With six Cup wins under his belt, the driver will definitely be in with a shout of victory. Admittedly, he has not quite won a race at the Daytona International Speedway, but that dynamic could change.

Austin Dillon

Austin Dillon could also be well in the running for a surprise victory in the 2021 Daytona 500. This is largely because he has won the race before. In fact, that win came in 2018 when he fended off Bubba Wallace. It is also worth mentioning that he started the race in 14th place and scythed his way up the order.

Now, the driver will be keen to add a second Daytona win to his belt. He is certainly capable of it and has delivered consistent performances throughout his Cup Series career. Since 2014, he has finished every race within the Top 20, with a lowest position of 19th.

Aric Almirola

The Stewart-Haas driver is another driver who is capable of winning at the Daytona International Speedway. In fact, he has reached Victory Lane at the track in the 2014 Coke Zero Sugar 400.

Given that the Stewart-Haas Racing outfit is one of the best teams on the grid, it boosts his chances. In addition to that, Almirola does have a great record at the NASCAR Daytona 500.

Ryan Newman

Finally, this is another man on a mission. Ryan Newman won the NASCAR Daytona 500 all the way back in 2008 and is keen for a repeat. Admittedly, he should have won the race last year, but a last lap crash ruined his chances. It took him out of the lead of the race, sent his car airborne, and eventually landed him in hospital.

Needless to say, Newman has unfinished business at the track. Throughout his 20-year long career, the Roush Fenway Racing driver has racked up 18 wins on the track. Although his last win came in 2017, he proved that he was capable of running at the front on multiple occasions.

At the end of the day, every driver on the grid will be eagerly revving their engines. Truthfully speaking, waiting for the season to begin will be an arduous affair, since everyone is itching to get out on the track.