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Four underdogs to watch as NASCAR Cup Series heads to Atlanta

NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie. Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Four underdogs to keep your eye on as NASCAR Cup Series heads to Atlanta

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated 2/22/24

Superspeedway races in NASCAR always seem to produce at least one or two underdog stories every time we drop the green, and with six drafting style racetracks on the schedule, these drivers have more chances than ever to make their presence known.

While the “little guys” of the Cup Series don’t always end up in victory lane, a few Cinderella stories have happened before, and with the NASCAR Cup Series headed to another drafting track in Atlanta this weekend, let’s take a look at four underdogs that you should keep your eye on as we head to the high banks of the Peach State.

Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro, Spire Motorsports

LaJoie’s fourth place finish in Monday’s Daytona 500 was no fluke. He also finished top 10 at Daytona in the 2020 running, placing eighth, and nearly won the summer race at the reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2022 before Chase Elliott threw a late block. LaJoie has always been great at getting the most out of his equipment, and if he’s in position to win on Sunday afternoon, don’t be surprised if he has learned from his mistakes in 2022. (+4000 on BetMGM)

They see things a little differently. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/b7tDHITvji
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 20, 2024

Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE, Legacy Motor Club

Not only is Jones a former superspeedway winner (Daytona, July of 2018) but he’s also coming off of an eighth place finish in Monday’s Daytona 500. Like LaJoie, he can outdrive his equipment and has a knack for being up front at the end of superspeedway races. Last year at the spring Atlanta race, Jones went from 17th to eighth in just one lap, a move that surely made Dale Earnhardt smile. (+2800, DraftKings)

Zane Smith, No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro, Spire Motorsports

Smith had a quiet, but consistent, day in the Daytona 500, finishing 13th after starting 14th in Monday’s race. Smith won two Craftsman Truck Series races at Daytona (2022 and 2023) and can lean on his teammate, the aforementioned LaJoie, for guidance on the superspeedways. He’s not a bad bet to bring home a top 10 finish and could be sitting pretty in the points heading to Vegas. (+10000, Caesars)

Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Front Row Motorsports

With a lot of pressure on his shoulders entering Year 3 in the Cup Series, Gilliland led 16 laps and looked to be in contention for a top five finish nearing the end of Monday’s Daytona 500. While "The Big One" took out Gilliland and plenty of his peers, he showed that his superspeedway skills are improving, and given Front Row’s impressive track record on the drafting tracks, don’t be surprised if Gilliland has a chance to snag a top 10 finish and maybe even the win. (+8000, DraftKings)

All odds as of Thursday, Feb. 22, via Action Network.

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