2013 Coke Zero 400 Free Picks: Betting on Underdogs for Big Payoffs : The third restrictor plate race of 2013 is on tap for this weekend when the Cup Series heads to Daytona International Speedway for Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400. For some bettors the unpredictability of the track caused by the pack racing and big wrecks is undoubtedly a source of repeated frustration, but if you’re a bettor that likes trying to hit it big by backing a longshot, than this weekend’s race is right up your ally. The restrictor plate used at Daytona level the playing field between the power teams in NASCAR and the smaller teams, and with multi-car wrecks almost a given, any driver that survives the mayhem has a shot at the win. As a result, Daytona has been the site of many upset victories in over the years, and the trend isn’t likely to stop any time soon. With that in mind, here is a closer look at a few drivers that could pull off a surprise win this weekend and deliver a big payday for bettors.
When you look at Jamie McMurray’s overall numbers at Daytona, it is easy to see why oddsmakers have him listed as a 28/1 longshot to win this weekend. After all, he has a 24.2 average finish at the track, and in 20 career starts, he has finished outside the top 30 on 10 different occasions. That being said, McMurray is also a two-time winner at Daytona and a three-time winner at restrictor plate tracks in the Cup Series. Sure, he has been the definition of a checkers-or-wreckers driver at Daytona, but from a betting standpoint, consistency doesn’t matter nearly as much as a driver’s ability to get to victory lane. McMurray has proven he can do just that at Daytona, and he could seal the deal for bettors this weekend.
Considering he spends more time in the announcers’ booth than behind the wheel these days, it is understandable that Michael Waltrip wouldn’t be a favorite to win this weekend. However, is being sold short with his current 40/1 odds. After all, Waltrip stepped away from his television duties last July to race at Daytona, and he promptly finished in the top 10. Not to mention the fact that Waltrip is a three-time winner at Daytona for his career, and all four of his Cup Series wins have come at restrictor plate tracks. Yes, he is a shameless promoter for his sponsors and his commercials are terrible, but Waltrip has always had a great feel for the draft and has continued to show his muscle at the plate tracks despite only racing a few times a year. Waltrip could be a steal for bettors this weekend.
Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 marks the halfway point of the 2013 season, and so far, the upset of the year belongs to David Ragan for his victory at Talladega. While totally unexpected, Ragan’s win was actually the second of his career at a restrictor plate track with his other victory coming in the July race at Daytona in 2011. Ragan certainly isn’t a big name in NASCAR, but his two plate track wins since the start of 2011 tie him for the most in the series during the stretch. Despite his track record for winning plate races, he is only a 40/1 longshot to get to victory lane this weekend. Just two years removed from a win in the July race at Daytona and only a few months removed from another restrictor plate win, Ragan could end up being a huge bargain at his current 50/1 odds.
While David Ragan made the headlines with his win at Talladega, his Front Row Motorsports teammate David Gilliland played a role in the victory. Gilliland pushed Ragan into the lead and ultimately into victory lane on a wild final lap, and Gilliland himself ended up finishing second. It was actually the second time Gilliland has finished in the top three in a restrictor plate event since the start of the 2011 season, and during the stretch he ranks among the 10-best drivers in terms of points scored. The bottom line is that despite driving for a small team, Gilliland has proven he can handle the draft and be a factor at the end of plate races. At his current 75/1 odds, bettors may want to take a chance that Gilliland ends up being the driver that gets pushed to victory lane this weekend rather than the driver that is doing the pushing.
Be sure to check the NSAwins.com Betting Daily Blog all week for updated 2013 Coke Zero 400 odds, free tips, free picks, predictions and articles from NASCAR expert tipster Brian Polking. NSAwins.com is your home for 2013 Coke Zero 400 Betting Odds and Handicapping coverage!
Odds to win the Nascar Coke Zero 400
101 Matt Kenseth +1000
102 Jimmie Johnson +1200
103 Dale Earnhardt Jr +1200
104 Kevin Harvick +1200
105 Tony Stewart +1200
106 Kyle Busch +1200
107 Jeff Gordon +1500
108 Clint Bowyer +1500
109 Kasey Kahne +1500
110 Kurt Busch +1800
111 Brad Keselowski +1800
112 Carl Edwards +1800
113 Greg Biffle +2000
114 Denny Hamlin +2000
115 Martin Truex Jr +2000
116 Joey Logano +2500
117 Jeff Burton +2500
118 Jamie McMurray +2500
119 Juan Montoya +3000
120 Ryan Newman +3000
121 Michael Waltrip +3000
122 Ricky Stenhouse Jr +4000
123 Marcos Ambrose +4000
124 Paul Menard +4000
125 Field +1200
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