2011 Coca-Cola 600 Picks: Betting on Underdogs for Big Payoffs

2011 Coca-Cola 600 Picks: Betting on Underdogs for Big Payoffs – How to Bet on the 2011 Coca-Cola 600: When a race is 600 miles long, there are a lot of factors that can influence the outcome. Driver fatigue, cut tires, blown engines, the weather and even pit strategy can all play a role in determining the winner. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the race has produced first time winners on multiple occasions. Since 2000, Matt Kenseth, Casey Mears and David Reutimann have all recorded their first career Sprint Cup win in this weekend’s race. Needless to say, the possibility of another upset exist this weekend.

Although he wouldn’t be a first-time winner of this event, David Reutimann is only getting 33/1 odds to win this weekend. It’s tough to blame the oddsmakers. After all, Reutimann has been mediocre at best this season and has yet to be in contention for a victory. That being said, bettors need to make an exception for Reutimann at Charlotte.

His victory in the 2009 Coca-Cola 600 has jumpstarted a hot streak at the track for Reutimann. He has finished in the top-15 in four straight starts, including a pair of top-10 finishes last year. Reutimann has a win and a fifth-place run in his last two starts in the 600-mile race, and both his career wins have come at 1.5-mile tracks. Plain and simple, he is a proven contender at Charlotte.

A driver that would be a first-time winner this weekend is Marcos Ambrose. Considering he has never finished in the top 15 at Charlotte, it is easy to understand why he is a 65/1 longshot to win. However, there have been several signs during the 2011 season that point to a career night for Ambrose.

In the offseason, Ambrose signed with Richard Petty Motorsports. The organization fields Fords and has a history of success at the intermediate oval tracks. Ambrose had struggled at those tracks throughout his career, but the new team has paid immediate dividends. In 2011, he has already finished fourth at Las Vegas, sixth at Texas, 14th at Darlington and third at Dover. With career-best finishes piling up, Ambrose is a much better pick than his past numbers suggest. Bettors could hit it big with him this weekend.

View the most current NASCAR Betting Lines for the 2011 Coca-Cola 600 today.