Sleepers for the 2021 NASCAR Drydene 400

I got four sweet Drydene 400 sleepers for you to comb through ahead of the big race at Dover this Sunday, May 16.

NASCAR at Dover is always a big occasion. This weekend will almost certainly be no different, especially with fans set to take to the stands for the first time in over a year.

Although longshots seldom win in this race, my 2021 NASCAR Drydene 400 sleepers are very much worth a look at. If you don’t fancy them to win the race, the numerous betting markets over at the top NASCAR apps and sites mean that a punt on one of these sleeper picks and longshots could pay off even if they finish in the top-10.

With that in mind, let’s get cracking with the first of my sleepers for the Drydene 400.

Busch’s last win came in his hometown of Las Vegas in 2020.

The NASCAR veteran has shown no signs of resting on his laurels this season and would love nothing more than another crack at the playoffs in the Fall. The 42-year-old will need to better an already impressive season-best of 4th at Daytona in the second race of the season to achieve that goal.

So, where better to get it done than in Dover? Busch has, after all, won here before. He also has two top-5s from his last five races and an average finish of 18.00 from 41 races. 

If you’re looking for an experienced sleeper pick for the Drydene 400, it doesn’t get much better than Busch. Especially at these tasty odds.

Freshen up your lock screen on #WallpaperWednesday with @KurtBusch's new ride for this weekend. ? @YorktelCorp | @caregility pic.twitter.com/ybfy9rqlwy

— Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) May 12, 2021

Almirola is another top-quality 2021 Drydene 400 sleeper to look at.

The SHR man posted sixth at Richmond earlier in the season but has failed to hit his stride since then. Hence the odds that you can get on him to win this race.

I like Almirola’s chances of cracking the top-10 here, at the very least. His last start at Dover culminated in a 7th place run, which is very good. Knowing that he likes this track means that there is a greater chance of him springing a surprise on Sunday, too.

Almirola is one of the best sleepers for the Drydene 400 around the upper midfield. Even if you are gambling on him to crack the top-10, there is value in his odds for NASCAR at Dover. His average finish of 13.50 puts him as the 10th best active driver here from the last six Cup Series starts.

Well worth a shot.

Two races for Custer at Dover leave him with an average finish of 10.50.

Not bad at all, huh? 

All things considered, Custer’s odds to win the Drydene 400 this Sunday make him worthy of a few coins. I would be tempted to bet on the youngster for a top-10 finish here.

Can Custer win the race? Look, anything can happen in NASCAR. A bit of luck mixed with a sprinkle of misfortune for your rivals could be the recipe for success. Custer’s sole win in the Cup Series to date will clearly show that in the 2020 Quaker State 400.

Don’t bet the house on him to take the checkered flag, but he could surprise us with a high finish on the day.

So, we’ve reached the last of my 2021 Drydene 400 value bets and sleepers.

Jones, at +20000, is well suited to both of those terms. He is great value at the odds above and is being slept on by more people than Santa Claus. 

Let’s get it straight. Jones was never going to be the betting favorite for NASCAR at Dover. He finished 22nd in his last race here. However, he has an average finish of 13.00 from eight starts, including 4th at the Gander Outdoors 400 in 2018 and 6th at the Gander RV 400 the year after.

Jones is excellent value for a shock at odds of +20000.

I hoped you enjoyed reading through my sleepers for the 2021 Drydene 400.

You should, at the very least, have some food for thought. There are some big odds up there and enough information to back up their status as good value bets for the NASCAR at Dover this weekend.

Of course, we have a ton of sport coming up this weekend. If you’re looking for more odds, bets, sleepers, and wagering advice for upcoming events, you can find the latest from my colleagues and me on the following sections of this site.