NASCAR betting – Johnson favored to bounce back at Phoenix

Bet sports - NASCAR odds: Jimmie Johnson looking to heat up Phoenix

• WHO: 43 of NASCAR’s finest
• WHAT: Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
• WHEN: Sunday, November 9 at 3:45 p.m. ET
• WHERE: Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, AZ
• KEY STATS: Jimmie Johnson’s 6.0 is the best average finish among active drivers
• PICK: Jimmie Johnson

Carl Edwards injected some life into NASCAR betting odds for the Sprint Cup with his dominating win at Texas last week, as Jimmie Johnson now has -1500 sports book odds to claim the title, down from -4000. Edwards will try to cut into Johnson’s 106-point lead when the Chase heads to Phoenix this weekend for the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500.

NASCAR betting odds favor Johnson as he goes to one of his best tracks, but Edwards will be making a run at the two-time defending champion, who won this event last year and the spring race in 2008.

NASCAR betting has Johnson as a +400 favorite this weekend, and the No. 48 driver’s 6.0 finishing average is the lowest among active drivers by 2.5 places. Phoenix is also Johnson’s third-best track behind Martinsville and California, and he has the best average this year (6.1) at tracks similar to the low-banked, one-mile-or-less tracks like this (New Hampshire, Richmond and Martinsville).

Johnson was actually lucky to come away with 15th last week at Texas due to an ill-handling car, but you can bet on the No. 48 car being up front all day at Phoenix.

Edwards is next with NASCAR betting odds of +550, and the No. 99 driver has been solid at Phoenix with a 14.5 average and five top-10s in eight races. Edwards’ fuel gamble to finish off his rout of the field at Texas was great for the Chase and also for his momentum as he’s won back-to-back races now.

Edwards has very good NASCAR lines to snatch his first win at Phoenix this week, and his run this year is reminiscent of Johnson’s four-race winning streak of 2007.

The Joe Gibbs Racing trio of Denny Hamlin (+800), Kyle Busch (+800) and Tony Stewart (+1200) are next in the NASCAR betting pecking order, and Stewart’s 9.8 average in 13 races is fourth among active drivers.

Hamlin was third in the spring race here and is the only racer among the trio who has not won at Phoenix. Meanwhile Busch, has three top-six finishes in his last four races after a horrible start to the Chase, and he would love to end what should have been a dream season with a win.

NASCAR betting odds have a few darkhorses to consider in your sportsbook this weekend, such as Jeff Gordon (+1500), who finished second after starting on the pole in Texas. His Hendrick teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (+1200), has won here twice, along with RCR teammates Jeff Burton (+1500) and Kevin Harvick (+1500).

LEE-ROY'S PICK: NASCAR odds rightly have the top two racers in NASCAR’s top series, and Johnson will be eager to recover after last week’s poor run at Texas. Edwards will be buoyed by last week’s performance and his nothing-to-lose style is making the Chase much more exciting.

However, the No. 48 team has been the best in the business when the chips are down in recent years and, this week, they will show why. Bet on Jimmie Johnson to put one hand on the Sprint Cup with a big win at Phoenix this week.

For more analysis on NASCAR odds, head over to the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com before you make your picks in our Sportsbook.

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.