Daytona 500 expert predictions and picks: Long shots, impact of Next Gen cars, Michael McDowell’s repeat chances and more

The Daytona 500 takes place on Sunday, February 20th at 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox. Athletic Motorsports’ resident experts, Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck, are here to help pick the winners, long shots, winning manufacturer and more.

Denny Hamlin is the favorite for the race, but there are several drivers bunched up below him. Bianchi and Gluck discuss the unpredictability of the Next Gen car. The car hasn't seen an actual points race yet.

Ryan Blaney is the favorite to win the Daytona 500. Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano are popular picks to do so. Logana is 12-1 to succeed. Gluck is relying on a driver with a long history of success. Michael McDowell is a big long shot.

Justin Haley is a 40-1 long shot, but he's a winner at Daytona and Talladega. Corey LaJoieat is 80- 1 to be the next Michael McDowell. He's had back-to-back top-10 finishes in the Daytona 500 and all four of his career top 10s have come at superspeedways.

Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500 last year. He is back at 66-to-1 to win this year, but winning back- to-back races is difficult. He's not a household name, so his odds are negatively impacted.

David Ragan is a Daytona 500 favorite at 125-1. Michael McDowell is not a long shot. Gluck and Bianchi are more reliable bets. They are impressed by David Ragen's knowledge of superspeedways. He has won two Daytona races at superspecialities. Glucks and Gianchi believe that the impact of Next Gen cars will be significant.

Bianchi and Gluck are predicting a typical Daytona 500. Bianchi advises to pick one of the favorites and not worry about practice or qualifying. Glucks believes the race will favor drivers with the most drafting experience and superspeedway success.

Bianchi, Gluck and Byron are picking the Daytona 500's top five. Ryan Blaney is a long shot at +175.

Bubba Wallace won at Talladega last fall. Kurt Busch won the last year's race at Daytona.

Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota are the favourites to win the Daytona 500. Toyota has a lot of talent, including Hamlin, Wallace, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busach and Martin Truex Jr. Gluck believes Ford will be strong.

Daytona 500 expert predictions and picks are long shots, impact of Next Gen cars, Michael McDowell’s repeat chances and more.