Ryan Blaney 2024 Cup Series Defense Are Odds in His Favor_ In the ever-unpredictable realm of NASCAR, defending Cup Series champ Ryan Blaney doesn’t ride in on the favorite’s coattails for the 2024 title chase. Last year’s crown found its way to Blaney after a second-place clinch in the Phoenix finale, outpacing Kyle Larson and William Byron to the checkered flag. Notably, Christopher Bell faced an early brake snag, sidelining his competitive edge, as Blaney etched his name as the inaugural Cup Series champ without nailing the season’s final victory since NASCAR’s switch to the winner-takes-all playoff format back in 2014.
Now, let’s dissect the forecast for this weekend’s high-octane drama in Daytona and how it could spell trouble for the upcoming season’s frontrunners and dark horse contenders alike.
The meteorological crystal ball, as per the savants at the National Weather Service in Melbourne, paints a rather soggy picture. With a 70% chance of daytime showers pelting the track on Saturday, the odds shoot up to a daunting 90% for a downpour saturating Saturday night into Sunday morning. Daytona Beach, known for its fickle weather dance, could be in for a wet and wild ride, casting a shadow over the Daytona ARCA 200 and United Rentals 300 on Saturday, not to mention the Great American Race itself come Sunday.
As for the title contenders, the early odds favor a select few, with Kyle Larson leading the charge at BetMGM:
- Kyle Larson (+525)
- William Byron (+625)
- Denny Hamlin (+800)
- Chase Elliott (+800)
- Martin Truex Jr. (+900)
Larson being favored in the opening odds doesn’t come as a surprise. Larson has been a total beast on the track ever since winning the Cup Series in 2021. He won four races in 2022 and has been the speed devil of the Cup Series for the past three seasons. Larson is set to lead the championship fight royale again, unless something unexpected happens.
On the other hand, Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Byron deserves credit for the amazing season he had. With an impressive six wins and an amazing 21 top-10 places, Byron’s unwavering drive to win makes his championship goals very clear.
At the same time, Denny Hamlin, who has been a strong contender for a long time, is still looking for the elusive Cup Series crown. He has been one of the most recognized NASCAR drivers, but he still hasn’t won it.
After a rough year with missed races and average results, Chase Elliott is trying to make up for lost time due to a leg injury that kept him out for part of last season.
Martin Truex Jr. is also racing and hopes to get back on track after a disappointing playoff run in 2023, when he let down when it meant the most. Even though Truex had a good normal season, a string of poor finishes ruined his chances of making the playoffs. He is eager to make up for it next season.As we dive into the second tier of contenders, Ryan Blaney finds himself among familiar faces:
- Ryan Blaney (+1100)
- Christopher Bell (+1100)
- Joey Logano (+1100)
- Kyle Busch (+1400)
- Brad Keselowski (+1400)
Both Blaney and Bell, who drives for Penske, are eager to stake their claim in the title race, so their odds are about the same. Bell secured 19 top-10 wins in 2023, making him a formidable driver who is ready to reach new heights this season.
The 2022 Cup Series winner, Joey Logano, wants to get back to winning ways after a disappointing season in 2023. Kyle Busch, on the other hand, wants to make up for a rough season that included wins early on and losses late on.
After going 98 races without a win, Brad Keselowski hopes to start a new chapter with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing and get his luck back.
But amidst the contenders, there lurk dark horses poised to upset the odds:
- Tyler Reddick (+1600)
- Ross Chastain (+1600)
- Chris Buescher (+2000)
- Ty Gibbs (+2500)
In 2023, Reddick had moments of greatness mixed with random losses. He hopes to use his skills to put together a strong performance this season. Chastain, who has won twice with Trackhouse Racing, wants to get another big win after his amazing win in Phoenix last year.
Chris Buescher wants to use his newfound form to put himself in position for the championship. He is riding high on a wave of momentum after a great late-season surge in 2023. And Ty Gibbs, who is starting his second season in the Cup Series, wants to build on a good first year and win the title.
But besides the picks and underdogs, there are also a group of long shots who want to beat the odds:
- Alex Bowman (+3500)
- Bubba Wallace (+4000)
- Josh Berry (+6000)
- Daniel Suarez (+8000)
In 2023, Bowman had a lot of health problems. He wants to make up for a rough season that was marked by inconsistency. Wallace wants to make the playoffs again after going a whole season without a win in 2023. He wants his big games from the past to be as exciting as they were.
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Josh Berry is getting more attention with Stewart-Haas Racing, but he still has a long way to go to win the title. On the other hand, Daniel Suarez wants to beat the odds and make his mark in a very tough group.
Ahead of the tough season, the hopefuls know one thing for sure: anything can happen in NASCAR’s high-stakes world. The race for the Cup Series title will be an exciting ride with turns, twists, and surprises around every corner.
Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”)
Q: How many wins does Ryan Blaney have in the Cup Series?
Ans: Blaney concluded the season finale at Homestead-Miami in 29th place, securing a ninth-place finish in the final Cup Series standings. Throughout the season, he achieved one win, four top fives, 14 top tens, four stage wins, and two poles.
Q: Who is the number 24 race car driver?
Ans: William McComas Byron Jr., born on November 29, 1997, is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports.
Q: Who does Joey Logano drive for?
Ans: Logano, hailing from Middletown, Connecticut, commands the No. 22 Ford for Team Penske.
Q: How many wins did Blaney have in 2023?
Ans: Best Race: Despite claiming three victories in 2023, including leading 163 of 400 laps to clinch the Coca-Cola 600 win (the season’s longest race), none of Blaney’s triumphs were as pivotal as his dominant victory at Martinsville during the fall playoff race, where he led 145 of the race’s 500 laps.
Q: Has Ryan Blaney won a Cup Series race?
Ans: In 2023, Ryan Blaney ascended to champion status with two monumental playoff victories, securing the NASCAR Cup Series crown.
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