NASCAR Kobalt Tools 500: Odds to Win and Predictions

Defending NASCAR 4 time Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief Chad Knaus have continued their dominance of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2010 and there are no signs of stopping them. Where is the late Bill France Sr when he is needed most? The elder statesman France Sr would have been confiscating all the #48 Lowes Chevy's after each race. Then again the most dominant NASCAR Cup driver of all time, the King Richard Petty did flourish under France Sr's watch.

Jimmie Johnson has finished well at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the past. Johnson has raced Atlanta 15 times and has 9 top 5's, a pole and three wins. Hard to bet against a record as strong as that but we will push against the tide and do just that. There is no fun in betting the odds on favorite every week in NASCAR, unless of course we are cashing a ticket every week. If thats the case pace a large wager on Jimmie Johnson.

The first NASCAR Cup driver to take a look at is Kurt Busch at 12-1. Busch has recently won on this track and has performed well on mile and a half tracks with high banking. Atlanta is a NASCAR track with a distinctive high groove and a fast low groove. The driver that chooses the high groove has always done well towards the end of the 500 mile Atlanta race. Kurt Busch loves the high groove at Atlanta and this makes him a solid 12-1 favorite.

Want a solid 60-1 long shot? Martin Truex Jr, driving for Michael Waltrip Racing in 2010. Truex Jr isn't afraid to run the extremely high groove and has a solid car to get the job done. Truex Jr still has to be smarting from watching his former team win the Daytona 500 without him also. Remember this is a long shot, if he finishes top ten it will be an accomplishment but if he is on the lead lap at the end he has a chance. A small bet on Truex at 60-1 is worth a shot.

Before we list the odds of the entire field for the NASCAR Kobalt Tools 500 here are a few NASCAR Cup match-ups that are good bets. Some casinos will offer driver match-ups as parlays and that makes the race more exciting.

Tony Stewart -125 vs Kurt Busch +105.
Well we never take the minus money so why change now. As a slight underdog Kurt Busch is a great pick over Tony Stewart in this race. Stewart rarely starts off quickly in NASCAR Sprint Cup and this season is no exception. Bet on Kurt Busch +105.

Dale Earnhardt Jr -170 vs Jamie McMurray +150.
Not often do they post a plus money with this high of odds. Hopefully the Dale Earnhardt Jr fans push this number to +170, that would be nice. Dale Jr is still not comfortable in his Hendrick car and at this rate he may never be. Bet Jamie McMurray +150 or better.

Jeff Gordon -145 vs Kevin Harvick +125.
Jeff Gordon looked great in Las Vegas last weekend and although it would make sense to carry over to Atlanta, in NASCAR it doesn't always work that way. Harvick is strong at Atlanta and is off to a great start this year. Bet Harvick +125.

Jimmie Johnson 9-2.
Mark Martin 8-1.
Jeff Gordon 8-1.
Kyle Busch 10-1.
Kurt Busch 12-1.
Clint Bowyer 12-1.
Kevin Harvick 12-1.
Jeff Burton 12-1.
Juan Pablo Montoya 15-1.
Denny Hamlin 15-1.
Tony Stewart 15-1.
Carl Edwards 15-1.
Greg Biffle 15-1.
Kasey Kahne 18-1.
Matt Kenseth 20-1.
Dale Earnhardt Jr 30-1.
Brian Vickers 30-1.
Joey Logano 30-1.
Ryan Newman 40-1.
Martin Truex Jr 60-1.
David Reutimann 60-1.
Jamie McMurray 75-1.
David Ragan 75-1.
Field 200-1. Never mind--no bet.
Brad Keselowski 100-1.
Marco Ambrose 100-1.
Sam Hornish Jr 100-1.
AJ Allmendinger 300-1.
Scott Speed 300-1.
Elliot Sadler 500-1.
Paul Menard 500-1.
Bobby Labonte 500-1.
Regan Smith 500-1.
For Odds and picks to win the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup click here.

source:
Las Vegas Hilton Superbook Odds Sheet