2012 GEICO 400 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – GEICO 400 Favorites and Sleepers to Win at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois: NASCAR betting odds to win the 2012 GEICO 400 this Sunday, September 16th at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois have been posted at all the major Las Vegas and best online sportsbooks with Jimmie Johnson having been installed as the 7/1 +700 favorite to win the 2012 GEICO 400.
This weekend’s trip to Chicagoland Speedway marks the beginning of the 2012 Chase for the Sprint Cup. This will mark just the second year that NASCAR’s 10-race playoff will begin at the 1.5-mile oval, but no matter the track, bettors need to be aware of a trend that occurs during the playoffs. The 12 drivers competing for the title are generally the ones that end up getting to Victory Lane throughout the Chase. In 2011, eight of the 10 playoff races were won by drivers in the top 12 in points, and the two races that weren’t went to the drivers that were 13th and 14th in points. The bottom line is that upsets are few and far between during the Chase.
Last year was no exception, as Tony Stewart opened the playoffs with his third career victory at Chicagoland. It was his first of five wins during the Chase that powered Stewart to the third championship of his career. The race was dominated by the championship contenders, and Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth all led more than 30 laps on the afternoon. In fact, only 15 of the 267 laps were led by drivers that weren’t in the Chase.
The Favorites – 2012 GEICO 400 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
No driver has more wins at Chicagoland than Tony Stewart. Not only are his three wins the most in track history, but he also leads all drivers with eight top-five finishes and an 8.7 average finish. Stewart is the defending winner of this weekend’s race, and no driver has been as dominant at this track as he has. Expect the defending champ to kick off his title defense by making a push for a win in the playoff opener.
While 1.5-mile tracks aren’t usually his specialty, Kevin Harvick has been stout at Chicagoland since the track was added to the Cup Series schedule. He is a two-time winner at Chicagoland, and he has finished fourth or better in six of his 11 starts at the track. Harvick finished second at Chicagoland last season, and he could easily seal the deal this weekend.
The Dark Horses – 2012 GEICO 400 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
Chicagoland is one of the few tracks where Jimmie Johnson has never won, but he hasn’t exactly struggled either. He has eight top-10s in 10 starts at the track, and his 10.0 average finish is the third best in the series. More importantly, Johnson has finished fourth or better five times at Chicagoland and has a pair of runner-up finishes to his credit. It is only a matter of time before Johnson conquers Chicagoland.
His 10.0 average finish is tied for the third best among active drivers at Chicagoland, and Jeff Gordon is no stranger to running up front at the 1.5-mile oval. He is a former winner at the track, and he has finished fourth or better in six of his 11 starts. Gordon has finished third or better in two of his last three starts at Chicagoland, and he is more than capable of getting back to Victory Lane this weekend.
After failing to crack the top 20 in his first four starts at Chicagoland, Kasey Kahne has been strong at the track in his last four starts. He has four top-15s during the stretch, including a pair of top-six efforts. More importantly, Kahne has won more races at 1.5-mile tracks than any other type, and a trip to Victory Lane could be in the cards this weekend.
Sleeper Specials – 2012 GEICO 400 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
Although he has made a name for himself by wrecking cars the past couple of seasons, Juan Pablo Montoya has actually been a reliable driver at Chicagoland. He has never finished outside the top 20 in his five starts at the track, compiling a 14.6 average finish. Chicagoland has been one of the few ovals where Montoya has been able to be competitive in every start, and with his aggressive style, he won’t be afraid to make a push for the win if the opportunity presents itself.
Veteran Mark Martin has been one of the most consistent performers at Chicagoland throughout his career. He has eight top-15 finishes in 11 starts, including three straight. More importantly, Martin finished in the top 10 at the track last year and won at the track in 2009. There is no reason he can’t make a return trip to Victory Lane this weekend.
Big Name to Avoid – 2012 GEICO 400 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
For whatever reason, Greg Biffle has been unable to get in a groove at Chicagoland. He has just one top-10 finish in nine starts at the track and an 18.8 average finish for his career. Worse yet, he has finished outside the top 25 in his three most recent starts at Chicagoland. Biffle has made a name for himself at the 1.5-mile tracks, but Chicagoland has been an Achilles heel.
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2012 GEICO 400 Odds – September 16th.
Driver Odds to Win the 2012 GEICO 400
101 Jimmie Johnson +700
102 Tony Stewart +800
103 Matt Kenseth +800
104 Denny Hamlin +800
105 Greg Biffle +800
106 Kyle Busch +1000
107 Kasey Kahne +1200
108 Jeff Gordon +1200
109 Dale Earnhardt Jr +1200
110 Brad Keselowski +1200
111 Carl Edwards +1400
112 Kevin Harvick +1400
113 Mark Martin +2000
114 Clint Bowyer +2000
115 Martin Truex Jr +2000
116 Ryan Newman +4000
117 Joey Logano +4000
118 Marcos Ambrose +4000
119 Field +1500
Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Betting Lines from BOVADA below:
