The Favorites – 2012 Sprint Cup Championship Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

Even though he didn’t win the championship last season, Jimmie Johnson has still won five out of the last six series titles. He has set such a high standard that his 2011 season is being viewed as a total failure. However, he still finished second in the series in top-five and top-10 finishes and posted the third-best average finish. In other words, he was still one of the top drivers in the sport despite having the worst year of his career. Johnson is still in his prime, and his window of opportunity is far from closed.

Last year, Carl Edwards got as close as any driver ever has to winning a title, only to walk away empty handed because of a tiebreaker. That being said, he finished the season with the most top-five and top-10 finishes, along with the best average finish in the series. Edwards also posted the best average finish in Chase history, albeit in a losing effort. He has now been runner-up for the championship twice in the last four years, and with a new long-term deal to stay with Roush Fenway Racing under his belt, it seems like a matter of when and not if Edwards wins the title.

The Dark Horses – 2012 Sprint Cup Championship Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

He wasn’t the best driver from start to finish last year, but Tony Stewart went on one of the greatest hot streaks in the sport’s history when it mattered most. Thanks to a record-setting five wins during the 10-race playoff, Stewart won the Sprint Cup title for the third time in his career. Stewart may not be the consistent title threat he was 10 years ago, but he has won 11 races in three seasons as an owner/driver. More importantly, he showed he can still perform in the clutch as well as any driver in the series. Don’t sleep on the defending champ just because he turned 40 last year.

During the past two seasons, no driver has been more reliable than Kevin Harvick. His 10.1 average finish during the stretch is the best in the series, and he has finished third in the final standings in back-to-back years. His recent improvement at the intermediate ovals has transformed him from a perennial playoff contender to a perennial title contender, and Harvick showed no signs of slowing down last year. He was close in 2010 and 2011, and he could get over the hump sooner rather than later.

Sleeper Special – 2012 Sprint Cup Championship Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

Matt Kenseth won the Sprint Cup title in 2003, but he has been up and down since winning his only series championship to date. However, he appears to have turned a corner the last two years, finishing in the top five in the final standings in 2010 and 2011. In fact, the two-year stretch has been the most productive of Kenseth’s career. After a three-win campaign that included 20 top-10 finishes last year, all the pieces are in place for Kenseth to contend in 2012.

Drivers to Avoid – 2012 Sprint Cup Championship Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

No driver led more laps or had a better driver rating last season than Kyle Busch. Despite the impressive stats, he was nowhere to found when it came time to decide the championship, and it is a disturbing trend that bettors need to be aware of. Busch has tons of talent behind the wheel, but he is an intense, emotional driver that seems to struggle under pressure. He has just one win during the Chase in his career, and he has never won a race in the Chase when he has been eligible for the title. It is a problem that doesn’t seem to be going away, and it could prevent Busch from ever winning a championship at the Cup level.

It was a rough offseason for Kurt Busch. The 2004 champion has been a regular Chaser during his time with Penske Racing, but several incidents off the track caused the organization to release him after the 2011 season. Busch landed with Phoenix Racing – a single car operation with limited funds. Bettors are used to Busch being a constant to threat to win races and compete for the series title, but that isn’t going to happen in 2012.

Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Betting Lines including 2012 Daytona 500 Oddsfrom BOVADA Sportsbook below:

2012 Sprint Cup Championship Odds and Preview: Favorites, Dark Horses, Sleepers & Drivers to Avoid originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on February 4, 2012.

2011 Ford 400 – Post-Practice Top 5

1. Carl Edwards: He certainly left little doubt that he is the favorite to win the title Sunday. Edwards posted the second-fastest lap in the opening practice Saturday and topped the charts in Happy Hour. He also recorded the second-best 10-lap average speed in the first practice. Edwards is the defending winner of Sunday’s race and has won two of the last three races at Homestead. No driver has a better average finish at the track, and he could end up winning the race and the championship.

2. Kevin Harvick: Harvick posted the ninth-fastest lap in the first practice at Homestead Saturday, and he had the third-best 10-lap average speed in Happy Hour. He has finished third or better in three straight starts at Homestead, and Harvick had the long-run speed during Saturday’s practices that has made him so effective in years past. Homestead is famous for eating up tires, and Harvick seems to be able to handle the tire wear as well as any driver.

3. Matt Kenseth: He opened Saturday’s practices with the third-fastest lap in the first session, and Kenseth followed it up with the fifth-best 10-lap average speed in Happy Hour. He is a former winner at Homestead and has been one of the best at 1.5-mile tracks all season. Given the importance of pleasing sponsors, it is no coincidence that Ford drivers have dominated the Ford 400 over the years, and Kenseth could continue the trend this weekend.

4. Jeff Gordon: Gordon had respectable speeds in both practices Saturday, ranking eighth and 12th in terms of fastest laps. However, his real strength was on longer runs, and he had the best 10-lap average speed in Happy Hour. Gordon has never won at Homestead, but he has finished sixth or better in three of his last four starts. At a track where speeds tend to drop dramatically over the course of a tire run, Gordon’s long-run speed should pay off.

5. Clint Bowyer: He was the total package in practice Saturday. Bowyer recorded the seventh-fastest lap in the final session, and more importantly, he ranked fifth in the first practice and second in Happy Hour in terms of 10lap average speeds. Bowyer has been the model of consistency at Homestead, finishing 12-th or better in four of his five starts. He appears to have a car capable of taking the next step and picking up his first win at the track Sunday.

2011 Ford 400 – Post-Practice Top Sleeper

1. A.J. Allmendinger: Allmendinger came to life in Happy Hour, posting the fourth-fastest lap of any driver. Speed is nothing new for him at Homestead, where he has finished 11th or better in all three career starts. With his history of success at the track, Allmendinger could cap a year of upsets with his first career Cup Series win.

View the most current vegas betting odds to win the 2011 Ford 400 for this Sunday, November 20th at Homestead-Miami.

2011 Ford 400 – Post-Practice Predictions originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on November 20, 2011.

Last November, Kyle Busch delivered a dominating performance to cap a year when he set the record for most wins in a single season. He led 153 of the 200 laps and held of Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski for the victory. Busch won the race and clinched the owner’s title for the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 team. Meanwhile, Keselowski walked away with the driver’s championship.

The Favorites – 2011 Ford 300 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

He is trying to win the No. 60 team the owner’s championship this weekend, and Carl Edwards just might get it done. He has five straight finishes of sixth or better at Homestead, including four finishes of fourth or better. Edwards has one win during the hot streak to go along with two runner-up efforts.

Kyle Busch was originally tabbed to drive the No. 18 Joe Gibbs racing Toyota this weekend and attempt a three-peat at Homestead. However, backlash from an incident at Texas has put Denny Hamlin behind the wheel this weekend. It isn’t a terrible swap, considering he has three finishes of seventh or better in his last four starts at the track. Hamlin finished fifth in his last start at Homestead, which came in 2009.

Although he has never won at Homestead, Brad Keselowski is still a frontrunner this weekend. He has a pair of third-place finishes at the track in his last three starts, and he has been dominant at the 1.5-mile tracks in 2011. Keselowski has already won at Kentucky, Chicagoland and Kansas in the second half of the year, and he could easily add Homestead to that list.

The Dark Horses – 2011 Ford 300 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

He has never reached Victory Lane at Homestead, but Joey Logano has never finished outside the top 10 at the track either. He has a 7.0 average finish, and only Carl Edwards owns a better mark among drivers with more than one start at the track. In his last two starts, Logano has finished fourth and seventh.

His last start at Homestead in the Nationwide Series came in 2008, but Clint Bowyer could make his return a memorable one. He has four straight finishes of 11th or better at the track, including three top-10 runs. Bowyer has just one top-five effort at Homestead, but it came in his most recent start at the track.

Sleepers Specials – 2011 Ford 300 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

Who says Ricky Stenhouse Jr. can’t win the title and the race in the same afternoon. The title is a foregone conclusion, and considering he finished fourth in his Homestead debut, a trip to Victory Lane could be in the works as well. Stenhouse Jr. has run well at the intermediate ovals all season, and his Roush Fenway Racing equipment certainly helps the cause.

Trevor Bayne knows all about driving for Roush Fenway Racing. In fact, he just went to Victory Lane for the first time in his Nationwide career two weekends ago at Texas. Like Texas, Homestead is a 1.5-mile track, and Bayne finished fifth at the track in his debut last season.

Big Names to Avoid – 2011 Ford 300 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

He is an up and coming star in the series, but Justin Allgaier has yet to show his talent at Homestead. In three starts at the track, he has never notched a top-10 and has a mediocre 19.7 average finish. Allgaier has finished 20th or worse in two of his three starts, and he hasn’t looked anything like a driver capable of winning.

His title hopes came to an end last weekend, and Elliott Sadler could continue to slide this weekend. He has a dismal 27.0 average finish in his career at Homestead, and he has never finish inside the top 15. Sadler is a much better driver than his numbers suggest, but his history doesn’t suggest a strong run this weekend.

Be sure to check the NSAwins.com Betting Daily Blog all week for updated 2011 Ford 400 odds, free tips, free picks, predictions and articles from NASCAR expert tipster Brian Polking. NSAwins.com is your home for 2011 Ford 400 Odds and Predictions all week long!

2011 Ford 300 Odds – Saturday, November 19th at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Driver Odds to Win the Ford 300
Carl Edwards 9/4

Brad Keselowski 7/2

Denny Hamlin 7/2

Clint Bowyer 7/1

Ricky Stenhouse 7/1

Joey Logano 7/1

Trevor Bayne 10/1

Elliott Sadler 15/1

Aric Almirola 25/1

Field 9/1

Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Betting Lines from BoDog below:

2011 Ford 300 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Favorites to Win and Drivers to Watch originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on November 18, 2011.

With all the first-time winners in the Cup Series this season, A.J. Allmendinger is now universally considered the best driver without a win. He has been trying to change that in recent weeks, picking up top-10 finishes in three of his last four starts leading up to this weekend’s race. More importantly, Homestead-Miami Speedway has been his best track on the schedule since he joined the series.

He has finished 11th or better in all three starts at the track, compiling an 8.7 average finish that ranks third among active drivers. Allmendinger has improved his result in every start at the 1.5-mile track, including a career-best fifth-place finish last season. If the trend of improvement continues, he should be fighting for the win Sunday. At his current 40/1 odds, he is definitely worth a look from bettors.

Martin Truex Jr. has a history of success at Homestead as well. He has finished 11th or better in five straight starts at the track, compiling a 7.5 average finish during the stretch. He has finished as high as second during the stretch, and last year, he led the second most laps of any driver during the finale.

He has developed a reputation of being unreliable and unpredictable, and rightfully so. However, Homestead has been his best track, and he has not only had solid results, but he has led plenty of laps as well. Truex Jr. has just won Cup win to his name, but if he is going to return to Victory Lane, Homestead is one of the most likely tracks. At his current 50/1 odds, the potential reward outweighs the risk.

View the most current 2011 Ford 400 Odds for the 2011 Ford 400 this Sunday, November 20th at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

2011 Ford 400: Betting on Underdogs for Big Payoffs originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on November 18, 2011.

It started in February with Trevor Bayne becoming the youngest winner of the Daytona 500, and this Sunday, the 2011 Sprint Cup season will come to an end at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Either Carl Edwards and or Tony Stewart finish the year with the title, and considering both have been on a record-setting bank during the playoffs, both would be a worthy champ. With just three points separating the two, the title could be up for grabs right up until the checkered flag waves.

Last season, Edwards dominated the series finale. He led 190 of the 267 laps, winning at Homestead for the second time in the last three races. While Edwards was celebrating a win, Jimmie Johnson was celebrating a fifth title. Johnson trailed Denny Hamlin entering the race, but an early spin for Hamlin opened the door for Johnson. He took advantage and clinched the title with a fifth-place finish.

The Favorites – 2011 Ford 400 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

He sits atop the standing entering the season finale, and there is a good chance Carl Edwards will be there when the checkered flag waves. His 5.7 average finish at Homestead is the best in the series, and he has never finished outside the top 15. Edwards is the defending winner of this weekend’s race, and he has two wins in his last three starts at the track.

Kevin Harvick has done everything at Homestead but win a race. He has three straight finishes of third or better at the track and has finished as high as second on two occasions. Harvick has seven top-10 finishes in his last eight starts at the 1.5-mile track, and it is only a matter of time before all his finishes near the front pay off.  

This time last season, Denny Hamlin was leading the points and racing for a championship. He won’t be winning a title this year either, but he could close the season with a victory. Hamlin won at Homestead in 2009, and he has three finishes of third or better in his last five starts at the track.

The Dark Horses – 2011 Ford 400 Lines, Preview and Expert Picks

While the two title contenders have stole the show during the Chase, Kasey Kahne has quietly putting up great numbers as well. With his victory last weekend at Phoenix, he has now scored the third-most points of any driver during the Chase. Kahne rides that momentum to Homestead this weekend where he has finished sixth in two of his last three starts.

No driver has won more races at Homestead-Miami Speedway than Greg Biffle. The Roush Fenway Racing driver has won three times at the 15-mile track since the start of the 2004 season. He picked up another top-10 finish at the track last season, and despite struggling for much of 2011, Biffle could end the year on a high note.

Sleepers Specials – 2011 Ford 400 Vegas Odds, Expert Predictions and Free Picks

Although Martin Truex Jr. has underachieved for most of his Cup career, Homestead-Miami Speedway has always been a bright spot for him. He has finished 11th or better in five straight starts at the track, compiling a 7.5 average finish during the stretch. Truex Jr. has finished as high as second at the track, and this is one week that he could compete for the top spot.

He has notched three top-10 finishes in the four races leading up to Homestead, and it may finally be time for A.J. Allmendinger to win his first Cup race. He has never finished worse than 11th at the track, and he has improved his finish in every start. After a career-best fifth-place run last season, Allmendinger’s next stop could be Victory Lane.

Big Names to Avoid – 2011 Ford 400 Betting Odds, Predictions and Free NASCAR Picks

The normally dominant Kyle Busch has been humbled by Homestead-Miami Speedway. He has just one top-10 finish in six starts, compiling a dismal 26.3 average finish. Busch has five finishes of 19th or worse at the track in his career, including three finishes outside the top 30.

It has been somewhat of a bounceback year for Dale Earnhardt Jr., but it might not end the way he would like. He has never cracked the top 10 in 11 starts at Homestead, and he hasn’t even cracked the top 15 in his last nine starts. Junior has really struggled in recent years, finishing outside the top 25 in four straight starts.

Be sure to check the NSAwins.com Betting Daily Blog all week for updated 2011 Ford 400 odds, free tips, free picks, predictions and articles from NASCAR expert tipster Brian Polking. NSAwins.com is your home for 2011 Ford 400 Betting Odds and Handicapping coverage!

2011 Ford 400 Odds – November 20th at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Driver Odds to Win the 2011 Ford 400
Tony Stewart 4/1
Carl Edwards 9/2
Kevin Harvick 6/1
Matt Kenseth 6/1
Jimmie Johnson 8/1
Jeff Gordon 10/1
Kyle Busch 12/1
Kasey Kahne 15/1
Greg Biffle 15/1
Denny Hamlin 20/1
Kurt Busch 25/1
David Ragan 30/1
Brad Keselowski 30/1
Clint Bowyer 30/1
AJ Allmendinger 30/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 40/1
Ryan Newman 40/1
Martin Truex Jr 50/1
Jeff Burton 50/1
Mark Martin 50/1
Joey Logano 60/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 60/1
Marcos Ambrose 60/1
Paul Menard 60/1
Jamie McMurray 75/1
David Reutimann 75/1
Brian Vickers 75/1
Trevor Bayne 100/1
Regan Smith 100/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 100/1

Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Betting Lines from BoDog below:

2011 Ford 400 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Favorites to Win and Drivers to Watch originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on November 18, 2011.

2011 Kobalt Tools 500 – Post-Practice Top 5

1. Matt Kenseth: After posting the second-fast lap in the opening practice session, Kenseth followed it up by recording the second-best 10-lap average speed in Happy Hour. He starts from the pole Sunday at a track where passing is expected to be difficult. With a fast car and track position on his side, Kenseth looks like the driver to beat this weekend.

2. Tony Stewart: Stewart had his No. 14 machine dialed in on long runs during the practice sessions. He topped the charts in terms of 10-lap average speed in the first practice, and he ranked third in the same category in Happy Hour. He starts inside the top 10 Sunday, and he appears to have a real shot at winning a record-setting fifth Chase race in 2011.

3. Carl Edwards: He opened Friday’s practices with the second-best 10-lap average speed, and Edwards followed with the second-fastest lap in Happy Hour. He is the defending winner of this weekend’s race, and starting inside the top 10, he could easily defend his victory. Not to mention the fact that he is averaging a top-five finish during the Chase.

4. Kasey Kahne: Kahne posted the eighth-fastest lap in the first practice at Phoenix Friday, and he topped the charts in terms of 10-lap average speed during Happy Hour. He finished a solid sixth at the track in February, and he has quietly enjoyed an excellent Chase. Kahne has had cars capable of winning several races during the last month.

5. Ryan Newman: He had the fifth-fastest lap in the first session Friday, and Newman followed with the sixth-best 10-lap average speed in Happy Hour. He has been as good as any driver at Phoenix the last three races, picking up three top-five finishes, including a win. Newman will have some work to do after a poor qualifying effort, but his recent history and practice times suggest he could get to the front.

2011 Kobalt Tools 500 – Post-Practice Top Sleeper

1. Paul Menard: Despite a horrible career record at Phoenix, Menard wowed during practice. He posted the fourth-fastest lap in the opening practice Friday and followed it up by topping the charts in Happy Hour. Menard has never finished better than 17th at PIR, but he could pull an upset this weekend if the practice times are any indication.

View the most current vegas betting odds to win the 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 for this Sunday, November 13th at Phoenix International Raceway.

2011 Kobalt Tools 500 – Post-Practice Predictions originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on November 13, 2011.

Last fall, Carl Edwards dominated for most of the afternoon on his way to a win. He led 153 of the 200 laps, holding off Kevin Harvick down the stretch. Joey Logano led 23 laps and finished third, and he was the only other driver to spend a significant time at the front of the field. However, it was Edwards’ race to lose from the start.

Earlier this year, Kyle Busch was literally perfect. He started on the pole and led all 200 laps. Edwards finished second, but the race was all about Busch and his dominant car from start to finish. Of course, he won’t get a chance to complete a season sweep because the backlash from his actions in the Truck Series event at Texas has caused Joe Gibbs Racing to park him for the rest of the Nationwide season.

The Favorites – 2011 WypAll 200 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

In 13 starts at Phoenix in the Nationwide Series, Carl Edwards has 12 top-10 finishes. More importantly, he has four wins at the track, including his victory last fall. Edwards also finished second at the track earlier this year, and he has three finishes of second or better in his last four starts at PIR.

He is a former winner at Phoenix, and Clint Bowyer has a habit of finishing near the front at the track. He has six finishes of fourth or better at the track, and he has only finished outside the top 15 once in 10 starts. Bowyer has finished fourth in his last two starts at PIR in the fall, and he should be a serious threat to win this weekend.

The Dark Horses – 2011 WypAll 200 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

Although he has never won at Phoenix, Joey Logano has never had a bad run either. He has finished in the top 10 in all five starts, compiling a 6.6 average finish. Logano finished a career-best third at PIR last fall, and he finished sixth earlier this year. It is only a matter of time before he breaks through and wins.

Brad Keselowski has never won at Phoenix, but he has piled up plenty of top-five finishes. In fact, he has finished fifth or better in four of his last five starts. Keselowski has been one of the hotter drivers in the Nationwide Series of late, and a career day at Phoenix isn’t out of the question. 

Sleepers Specials – 2011 WypAll 200 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

He has the point lead, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has a chance to add to it this weekend at Phoenix. He has finished in the top 10 in all three career starts at the track, including a career-best seventh-place finish earlier this year. Stenhouse Jr. has been one of the most consistent series regulars at the track, and anything can happen when a drivers runs near the front.

Although he won’t have the best equipment he has ever driven, Reed Sorenson could still make some noise this weekend. He has seven straight top-15 finishes at Phoenix, including six top-10 efforts. More importantly, he has back-to-back top-five efforts. Sorenson was left for dead when he was released from the No. 32 team, but he has another ride and could be a surprise threat to win.

Big Names to Avoid – 2011 WypAll 200 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

Despite a 10th-place finish in his most recent start at Phoenix, Ron Hornaday Jr. has some serious question marks this weekend. For starters, his last start at the track in the Nationwide Series came in 2007, and a lot has changed since then. Hornaday Jr. will have too many adjustments to make to be a serious threat to win.

He has gone four straight starts without a top-10 finish at Phoenix, and Jason Leffler has been having a rough year anyway. He has finished outside the top 15 three times during the stretch, including two finishes outside the top 25. Leffler just hasn’t been the same driver he has been in years past, and he has shown no signs of winning a race.

Be sure to check the NSAwins.com Betting Daily Blog all week for updated 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 odds, free tips, free picks, predictions and articles from NASCAR expert tipster Brian Polking. NSAwins.com is your home for 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Odds and Predictions all week long!

2011 WypAll 200 Odds – Saturday, November 12th at Phoenix International Raceway.
Driver Odds to Win the WypAll 200
Carl Edwards 2/1

Brad Keselowski 7/2

Clint Bowyer 4/1

Ricky Stenhouse 6/1

Joey Logano 6/1

Elliott Sadler 12/1

Trevor Bayne 12/1

Ron Hornaday 20/1

Aric Almirola 20/1

Field 9/1

Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Betting Lines from BoDog below:

2011 WypAll 200 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Favorites to Win and Drivers to Watch originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on November 11, 2011.

Martin has had a forgettable season in his final year with Hendrick Motorsports, but Phoenix has always been one of his best tracks. He has finished inside the top 20 in his last 20 starts at the track, picking up 11 top-10 finishes during the stretch. Martin’s 8.7 average finish during the same span is the second best in the series. Despite the incredible overall numbers, he is a 40/1 longshot to win this weekend.

He has been even stronger in recent years, finishing in the top 10 in four of his last five starts. During the stretch, he has three finishes of fourth or better, including a win. Martin’s victory was part of a recent run of dominance for Hendrick Motorsports. HMS drivers have combined to win six of the last eight races at Phoenix. Martin’s teammate Jeff Gordon won at the track in February, and if Martin completes a season sweep for the organization, bettors will hit it big.

While Martin has a history of elite finishes, Allmendinger is more of a speculative pick. On the plus side, his 60/1 odds mean that bettors stand to make even more money if he breaks through and wins this weekend. He is trending in the right direction, finishing in the top 15 in three of his last four starts at Phoenix. He also recorded a career-best ninth-place finish at the track earlier this season.

Allmendinger has the somewhat unenviable title of being considered the best driver in the series without a victory. However, his best opportunities have often come at flat tracks, and PIR falls into that category. He has been steadily improving at Phoenix in his recent starts, and if he builds on his top-10 run from February, Allmendinger could be a legitimate player for the win this Sunday. At his current odds, bettors will want to think long and hard about taking a shot on him.

View the most current 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Odds for the 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 this Sunday, November 13th at Phoenix International Raceway.

2011 Kobalt Tools 500: Betting on Underdogs for Big Payoffs originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on November 11, 2011.

When the Cup Series heads to Phoenix International Raceway this weekend, it won’t be the same old 1.0-mile track that drivers have seen in years past. Following the February event, the track was repaved and slightly reconfigured. The result will be a serious learning curve for teams as they try to develop new setups. Drivers will have their work cut out for them as well come race day. Passing is always difficult at PIR, and it is expected to be even more so as the new surface gets broken in.

Last fall, Denny Hamlin appeared to be on his way to a victory that would have all but clinched his first career championship. He led 190 of the 312 laps, but poor fuel mileage forced him to make an extra green flag pit stop lat in the race. As a result, Carl Edwards inherited the lad and went on to win, while Jimmie Johnson closed the gap on Hamlin in the title fight before beating him for the crown in the season finale.

Earlier this year, the fireworks got started in the opening laps when Kyle Busch and Edwards got together ending Edwards’ day. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart swapped the lead for most of the race, and two-tire stop for Stewart put him well out front with less than 20 laps remaining. However, a late caution allowed Gordon to close the gap, and he used his four fresh tires to pass Stewart for the victory.

The Favorites – 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks

His reign as champ is coming to an end, but Jimmie Johnson has a good chance to get to Victory Lane this weekend. He leads all drivers with a 4.8 average finish at Phoenix, and he has never finished outside the top 15. Johnson has 10 straight top-five finishes at the track, including four wins.

He is going for a season sweep at Phoenix this weekend, and Jeff Gordon’s history at the track suggests he could get the job done. He has four straight finishes of 11th or better at PIR, and his 9.3 average finish in his last 20 starts is the third-best mark during that stretch. Gordon has had a great year at the flat tracks, and he could add another win to his total.

The Dark Horses – 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Lines, Preview and Expert Picks

During the last three races at Phoenix, nobody has been better than Ryan Newman. He has three straight top-five finishes, including a win and a second-place finish. Newman has a setup that is working for him, and another trip to Victory Lane is certainly a possibility.

His last win at Phoenix came in 2005, but Kurt Busch has been piling up plenty of solid finishes in the meantime. He has five top-10 finishes in his last six starts at the track. He has a pair of top-three finishes during stretch, and Busch always seems to be near the front of the field at PIR. 

Sleepers Specials – 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Vegas Odds, Expert Predictions and Free Picks

Earlier this year, A.J. Allmendinger notched a career-best ninth-place finish at Phoenix. He has five top-20 finishes in six starts at the track, including three top-15 finishes in his last four starts. Flat tracks have always been Allmendinger’s best, and he is a definite upset candidate.

Juan Pablo Montoya has had his struggles this year, but he has had some strong runs at Phoenix in the past. He has finished as high as fifth, and he has led more than 100 laps in a single event. Road course experts tend to also run well at PIR, and Montoya is as good as they come at road courses.

Big Names to Avoid – 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Betting Odds, Predictions and Free NASCAR Picks

Phoenix has always been tough on Brian Vickers. He has seven straight finishes outside the top 15, including three straight finishes of 30th or worse. Vickers has a 22.9 average finish for his career, and he has never been a factor for a win at the track.

He has enjoyed a career year, but Paul Menard has never had success at Phoenix. He has finished outside the top 15 in all nine of his starts, and he has finished outside the top 20 eight times. Until he shows signs of being able to crack the top 10, a win seems next to impossible.

Be sure to check the NSAwins.com Betting Daily Blog all week for updated 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 odds, free tips, free picks, predictions and articles from NASCAR expert tipster Brian Polking. NSAwins.com is your home for 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Betting Odds and Handicapping coverage!

2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Odds – November 13th at Phoenix International Raceway.
Driver Odds to Win the 2011 Kobalt Tools 500
Tony Stewart 6/1

Carl Edwards 7/1

Jeff Gordon 7/1

Jimmie Johnson 7/1

Kyle Busch 8/1

Matt Kenseth 10/1

Denny Hamlin 12/1

Kevin Harvick 12/1

Clint Bowyer 15/1

Kasey Kahne 18/1

Greg Biffle 18/1

Ryan Newman 20/1

Kurt Busch 20/1

Brad Keselowski 20/1

Dale Earnhardt Jr 25/1

Mark Martin 40/1

Jeff Burton 40/1

Martin Truex Jr 50/1

Jamie McMurray 50/1

Field 18/1

Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Betting Lines from BoDog below:

2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Favorites to Win and Drivers to Watch originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on November 11, 2011.

2011 AAA Texas 500 – Post-Practice Top 5

1. Carl Edwards: Edwards wasted little time impressing during Saturday’s practices. He posted the fastest lap in the opening session and had the eighth-fastest lap in Happy Hour. He also recorded the best 10-lap average speed in the final session. Edwards is a three-time winner at Texas, and he appears to have a car more than capable of adding to that total.
2. Greg Biffle: After posting the second-fastest lap in the first practice Saturday, Biffle remained in the top 10 in Happy Hour. He also recorded the seventh-best 10-lpa average speed in the final practice. Biffle enters this weekend’s race with six straight top-10 finishes at Texas, including back-to-back top-five finishes. He led the most laps at the track last fall, and he is starting from the pole Sunday. Biffle could close the deal this weekend and get to Victory Lane.
3. Matt Kenseth: He ranked a respectable 14th in the first practice of the afternoon, but he climbed to seventh in Happy Hour and posted the sixth-best 10-lap average speed. Kenseth rolls of third in Sunday’s race, and coming off a dominating win at Texas in the spring and a second-place finish last fall, a season sweep at the track seems like a real possibility
4. Kasey Kahne: From start to finish, Kahne was impressive at the two practices at Texas Saturday. He posted the fourth-fastest lap in the opening session and topped the charts in Happy Hour. Kahne added the fourth-best 10-lap average speed in the final session just top things off. He is a former winner at Texas, and he should be a serious contender Sunday
5. Tony Stewart: He didn’t have one really fast lap, but Stewart ranked inside the top 10 in both practices Saturday afternoon. He is also a former winner at the track, and he is starting fifth Sunday. Stewart already has one win at a 1.5-mile track during the Chase and a series-leading three wins in the Chase overall. He has a solid car and tons of momentum

2011 AAA Texas 500 – Post-Practice Top Sleeper

1. David Ragan: Ragan isn’t a household name, but his No. 6 Ford had speed to spare during the practices Saturday. He had the fifth-fastest lap in the opening session and jumped to third in Happy Hour. Ragan had back-to-back top-10 finishes at the track as well, and after qualifying on the front row, he appears to be a legitimate candidate to pull off an upset Sunday.

View the most current vegas betting odds to win the 2011 AAA Texas 500 for this Sunday, November 6th at Texas Motor Speedway.

2011 AAA Texas 500 – Post-Practice Predictions originally appeared on NSAwins "Betting Daily" Sports Betting Blog on November 6, 2011.