NASCAR Betting Preview – Johnson looks to continue hot streak at Michigan
NASCAR odds – Jimmie Johnson (+525), Carl Edwards (+585), Kyle Busch (+605), Matt Kenseth (+805), Denny Hamlin (+1550)
- Johnson aims for fifth straight top-ten finish
- Edwards tries to continue dominance at Michigan
- Kenseth hopes Michigan can spark a run at the Chase
This week's stop on the Sprint Cup Series is the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway, and we are just four races away from the cutoff for the “Chase for the Sprint Cup”. Kurt Busch is the defending winner in this event after leading 96 of 203 laps on the high-speed two-mile oval, but NASCAR sportsbook odds say two-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson is the man to beat this weekend.
Johnson is favored at +525, and the No.48 driver has racked up four consecutive top-seven finishes, including his win at Indianapolis three weeks ago. Johnson has a 14.2 finishing average in 13 races at Michigan, but as he proved last year in the Chase with his four-race winning streak, when he is hot, there is not a better driver and team in the series.
Carl Edwards has the best average finish at Michigan of any current driver, posting a 7.2 in eight races, along with a win. Like Johnson, Edwards has been a roll with three straight top-tens, including a win at Pocono, and the No.99 driver has been a monster on the intermediate tracks this year with four trips to Victory Lane. At NASCAR betting odds of +585, Edwards will definitely be running up front on Sunday.
Of course, no list of favorites can be complete without points leader Kyle Busch, who is rated at +605. After a pair of disappointing runs at Indianapolis and Pocono that had some questioning his resolve, the No.18 driver roared to a dominating win at Watkins Glen last week for his eighth victory of year, clinching the top spot in the Chase. Busch has a 19.6 finishing average at Michigan, but that does not matter, as he has made a habit this year to improve at tracks where he used to struggle.
A solid darkhorse bet would be Denny Hamlin, who has NASCAR betting odds of +1550. The No.11 driver clawed his way to an eighth-place finish at the Glen last weekend, and despite having only five races at Michigan under his belt, Hamlin has a finishing average of 10.8, third among active drivers.
Lee-Roy's Analysis: While Busch, Edwards and Johnson have been the dominant drivers over the last few weeks, it is Matt Kenseth's time to return to Victory Lane. The No.17 driver's 9.3 average at Michigan is the second-best of his career at any track, and second to only Edwards among active drivers. If you bet sports, look for the 2003 champion, who has NASCAR betting odds of +805, to take one step closer to the Chase with a win this weekend.
Born in the betting capital of Las Vegas, Lee-Roy has grown to appreciate the likes of IndyCar and Formula 1 racing, but his first love is the high-speed ovals of NASCAR and he is a HUGE Tony Stewart fan. When it comes to motorsports handicapping, Buckles takes the checkered flag. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
