Pre-Race Predictions - The Clash at Daytona

 

Photo by Joel Bray

    The 2021 Busch Clash is now upon us, and it is the NASCAR Cup Series opening race. 

As it will take place on the Daytona Road Course for the 1st time in the history of the Clash, we must watch for some of our best road course drivers fight for the win. 

There are many factors that will make some of the drivers I listed below, ones to watch for the win:

• Chase Elliott [No. 9 - Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet] - I think he has a good chance because the Clash is to be run on the Daytona Road Course, and we all know that Elliott is a good road course racer. Laps lead at Daytona Road Course Race (08/16/2020) - 34
• Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 - Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota] - Truex has had luck at road courses before, so I don't see why he couldn't be a factor for the Clash. Laps lead at Daytona Road Course Race (08/16/2020) - 10
• Denny Hamlin [No. 11 - Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota] - Hamlin doesn't always have good luck on a road course, but he managed to lead a few laps in the last race at the Daytona Road Course. Laps lead at Daytona Road Course Race (08/16/2020) - 16
• Erik Jones [No. 43 - Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet] - Jones hasn't won on a road course yet, but this could be his chance. He won the 2020 Busch Clash, which was ran on the Speedway portion of Daytona.  He didn't lead any laps in the last road course at Daytona race, but could be a factor due to good placements in the stages and finished in 11th. Laps lead at Daytona Road Course Race (08/16/2020) - 0

Some possible drivers that will place decent, but I don't think will win are:

• Tyler Reddick [No. 8 - Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet]
• William Byron [No. 24 - Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet]
• Joey Logano [No. 22 - Team Penske Ford]
• Ryan Blaney [No. 12 - Team Penske Ford]

But who knows, my Pre-Race Predictions could be wrong! I know some of you might not agree with me, so let me know in the comments below who you think will win the Clash at Daytona