NASCAR Texas Odds – Hamlin looks for revenge on Johnson

NASCAR Texas odds

Carl Edwards +500

Kyle Busch +500

Jimmie Johnson +650

Jeff Gordon +750

Kurt Busch +750

Matt Kenseth +1250

Greg Biffle +1350

Denny Hamlin +2000

Dale Earnhardt Jr. +2000

Tony Stewart +2000

Brian Vickers +2500

NASCAR Texas odds: underdog Vickers offers great value

• WHAT: The Samsung 500
• WHEN: Sunday, April 5, 2:00 PM ET
• WHERE: Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, TX
• KEY STATS: Carl Edwards won both races at Texas last year
• PICK: Brian Vickers

In NASCAR Texas odds, fans could see a reprisal of a great duel between Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin at the end of last week’s race at Martinsville, in which Johnson came out on top.

At Texas Motor Speedway, site of the Samsung 500, Carl Edwards is the defending race-winner. However, Hamlin and Johnson have the best numbers at one of NASCAR’s fastest tracks, and they should be near the top of most sportsbook odds.

Jimmie Johnson shoved Hamlin out of the way for his first win of the season at Martinsville, and he’s headed to a track that has been good to him in the past. The No. 48 driver finished second to Carl Edwards in the Texas spring race in 2008 after leading 65 laps, and his 11.0 finishing average in seven spring races here is second among active drivers.

Johnson is behind only Hamlin’s 6.0 in three spring races at Texas, and he finished fifth here last year. After two straight runner-up finishes at Bristol and Martinsville, the No. 11 driver is eager to reach Victory Lane as he hasn’t won since the spring race at Martinsville last year.

Another driver online betting fans should watch for Matt Kenseth, who won this race back in 2002 and owns an 11.7 finishing average in nine Texas spring races, third among active drivers. The No. 17 has cooled off since opening the season with two consecutive wins at Daytona and California, but Roush-Fenway cars usually perform well at Texas, so look for Kenseth to bounce back.

Speaking of Roush-Fenway and Texas, those looking at this week’s NASCAR betting lines must consider Edwards, who’s had a quiet start to the season. Edwards’ three overall wins at Texas are tops among active drivers, including a sweep of last year’s races.

There are a few NASCAR betting darkhorses to watch for this week. One would be Mark Martin, who’s put together back-to-back Top-10s after a string of terrible luck; his 11.9 finishing average in 10 Texas spring races is fourth, along with a win in 1998. Jeff Burton won the first spring race here in 1997, and his 13.9 average since then is seventh. The No. 31 team has been its consistent self this year, but they’ll need wins to become a legitimate Chase threat.

Texas is always the home of some of the most exciting racing on the circuit, as it rivals Atlanta on pure speed for a non-restrictor plate track. It’s important to do well on intermediate tracks like Texas, as they make up half of the tracks in the Chase. Johnson and Hamlin will challenge for Top-10s this week, as will Kenseth and Edwards.

LEE-ROY’S PICK: Brian Vickers does well at tracks where you can hold the throttle wide open, and he has three Top-10s at the intermediate tracks NASCAR has been to so far this season. Vickers will offer great value in this week’s NASCAR lines, so bet on Vickers and the No. 25 Toyota.

For NASCAR Texas odds and other online betting odds as we head towards the Chase for the Sprint Cup, bookmark BetOnline.com.

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.