NASCAR Betting - "Concrete Carl" will end slump at Dover

After a rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR betting players are hoping to get a full race in when the Sprint Cup series heads to Dover International Speedway for the Autism Speaks 400. Kyle Busch is the defending race-winner at this event, and with a solid track record at the “Monster Mile,” he’ll threaten to take the checkered flag again. However, another driver will steal the show, and he’s worth a shot in your online sports book.

• WHAT: The Autism Speaks 400
• WHEN: Sunday, May 31, 2:00 PM ET
• WHERE: Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE
• KEY STATS: Carl Edwards’ 7.7 is the best finishing average among active drivers at Dover
• PICK: Carl Edwards

In four starts in the summer Dover race, Busch has a trio of top-10s under his belt, including last year’s win in which he led 158 laps. Busch was on his way to a victory at the Coke 600, leading the way for 173 laps before the rain came down, but he now has three top-10s in his last four starts, including a victory at Richmond.

Carl Edwards has been given the name of “Concrete Carl” due to his ability to do well at places like Dover and Bristol with concrete surfaces, and his 7.7 finishing average is far and away the best among active drivers at the “Monster Mile”. The No.99 driver finished fifth in the All-Star race and fourth in the Coke 600, and NASCAR betting players know it’s only a matter of time before he reaches Victory Lane.

Ryan Newman has been one of the hottest drivers in NASCAR with four straight top-four finishes in points races, and he was in contention in the All-Star race until a late run-in with Kyle Busch. Newman has three career wins at Dover, including one in the summer race, and he’s also tied with Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin for the most career poles here with four.

Speaking of Gordon and Martin, they’ll also be in contention along with Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson, as all three are in the top 10 at Dover in finishing average and they’ve combined for 11 total wins on the one-mile track. All finished outside the top 10 at the Coke 600, but Johnson and Martin both had cars capable of running for the lead before the rain started to fall.

A NASCAR betting darkhorse would be Martin Truex Jr., who earned his first career win in this race in 2007, and he always runs well here. In six trips to Dover, the No.1 driver has three top-10s, one victory, and an 11.3 finishing average, which is fifth among active drivers.

Lee-Roy’s Pick: Roush-Fenway hasn’t been to Victory Lane since Matt Kenseth won his second race in a row, the second race of the year in California. Their cars usually run well here, and Kenseth and Greg Biffle will all challenge for the lead. But Carl Edwards hasn’t won since taking three of the last four races of 2008, and after a tough three-race stretch, he looks to be rounding onto form. Take Carl Edwards as your NASCAR pick.

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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.