2008 NASCAR Pepsi 500 Odds & Preview
August 27, 2008
With only two races left in the “Race for the Chase” there are still a couple drivers fighting for the 12th and final spot in the 10 race playoff system. This week NASCAR heads to Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California for the second time around, for the 2008 running of the Pepsi 500. Jimmie Johnson comes in as the defending champion of this race, while Carl Edwards was the winner of the Auto Club 500 held on this track earlier this season. Edwards took home his second straight win, as he continues to make a push for Kyle Busch in first place. To get a good idea of the field this weekend, professional handicapper Jason Lowry is going to breakdown the field by grouping the drivers into the favorites, guys in the middle of the pack, and the long shots he thinks has a chance to win this weekend.
Favorites:
Carl Edwards +400, Kyle Busch +400, Jimmie Johnson +525, Matt Kenseth +800, and Tony Stewart +1000
There is quite the battle going on between Busch and Edwards as they have combined to win 14 times this season. Busch still holds a 212 point lead over Edwards, but with plenty of races left its still anyones game. Everyone but Stewart has won on this track, but everyone but Busch and Edwards has struggled this season. Johnson is one of 4 drivers with more than 1 win this season, and he has to be taken seriously.
Middle of the Pack:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. +1200, Greg Biffle +1200, Jeff Gordon +1400, Kasey Kahne +1400, and Denny Hamlin +1600
This group has some quality drivers, and guys like Gordon, Biffle, and Kahne have all won here before, with Gordon leading the way with 3 wins. After putting a solid stretch together Kahne has fallen back, and now sits 14th in the points standings. Gordon came in 3rd at the Auto Club 500, and he is the driver out of this group we think will really race well this season.
Long Shots:
Brian Vickers +2500, David Ragan +2500, Kevin Harvick +3000, Martin Truex Jr. +4000, Elliot Sadler +5000, Clint Bowyer +5000, and Ryan Newman +6000
This group is unlikely to produce a winner, but there are a couple drivers that could really use a solid performance this weekend. Bowyer currently sits in 12th and its his spot to lose with just 2 races to go, while Ragan sits just 12 points behind in 13th. Sadler won this race back in 2004 and it would be a big surprise if he could do it again this year. Other guys to keep your eye on are Harvick, Truex Jr, and Newman all finished in the top 10 at the Auto Club 500, and it wouldn’t be a shocker to see them there again this week.
If you are looking for a great place to get a bet on the race this weekend head over to BetUS.com and get an account started today. If you are looking for a complete list of the odds, check out the complete list thanks to BetUS.com. Also, for those of you looking for a little more on the race, check out these great Pepsi 500 Predictions.
AJ Allmendinger +10000
Bobby Labonte +10000
Brian Vickers +2500
Carl Edwards +400
Casey Mears +10000
Clint Bowyer +5000
Dale Earnhardt Jr +1200
Dave Blaney +10000
David Gilliland +10000
David Ragan +2500
David Reutimann +10000
Denny Hamlin +1600
Elliott Sadler +5000
Greg Biffle +1200
Jamie McMurray +10000
Jeff Burton +3500
Jeff Gordon +1400
Jimmie Johnson +525
Juan Pablo Montoya +10000
Kasey Kahne +1400
Kevin Harvick +3000
Kurt Busch +5000
Kyle Busch +400
Martin Truex Jr +4000
Matt Kenseth +800
Michael Waltrip +10000
Paul Menard +10000
Reed Sorenson +10000
Ryan Newman +6000
Sam Hornish Jr +10000
Tony Stewart +1000
Travis Kvapil +10000