2013 Pure Michigan 400 Free Picks: Betting on Underdogs for Big Payoffs: The Cup Series returns to Michigan International Speedway this weekend, and since a recent repaving, the 2.0-mile oval has become the fastest track on the schedule. It also happens to be one of the more unpredictable tracks on the schedule. Michigan’s wide racing groove tends to create long green flag stretches, which can lead to fuel mileage and pit strategy deciding the outcome of races. Not to mention the fact that the high speeds can take a toll on motors and tires and eliminate contenders in the blink of eye. In the June race earlier this year, Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were both leading when they had mechanical issues while Jimmie Johnson was running down the leader when he cut a tire with a few laps to go. At a track that is all about speed, it is kind of ironic that the fastest cars have a tendency not to win. With that in mind, here is a closer look at a few underdogs that could pull off an upset this weekend’s Pure Michigan 400.
While I’ll be the first to admit that Mark Martin has had his issues at Michigan lately and hasn’t been that great in 2013 overall, the veteran is an intriguing betting option at his current 45/1 odds. After all, we are talking about a guy that is a five-time winner at MIS, and he has won at the track as recently as 2009. Meanwhile, Martin finished fourth in the August race at the track in 2011, and he led the most laps in the August race last year before he crashed after getting into some oil out down by a lap car. The bottom line is that Martin has been a serious contender for the win in each of the last two August events at Michigan, and at 45/1 odds, it is worth taking a chance that Martin contends yet again this weekend.
Bad luck for Tony Stewart has created a potentially profitable situation for bettors this weekend as Austin Dillon prepares to sub for the injured Stewart. Granted, Dillon has made just nine career Cup starts, but he delivered a career-best 11th-place finish at Michigan earlier this while driving for the No. 33 Circle Sport team. He will have much stronger equipment at his disposal this weekend when he drives for a Stewart-Haas Racing team that has finished in the top 10 in six of the last seven races at Michigan. Throw in the fact that Dillon currently leads the Nationwide Series standings, and there is no denying that he has plenty of talent. At his current 45/1 odds, bettors willing to take a chance on the inexperienced Dillon could be rewarded.
His rookie year has been forgettable thus far, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr. could breakout in a big way this weekend at Michigan. In his Cup Series debut at the track earlier this year, Stenhouse was rock solid, starting 15th and finishing 16th. The experience gained during the June event should only help the youngster, and perhaps more importantly, he drives for a Roush Fenway Racing organization that has been excellent at MIS. After all, Roush driver Carl Edwards currently owns a series-leading 8.2 average finish at the track, and fellow Roush driver Greg Biffle has won the last two races at Michigan. Stenhouse will have access to the same setup information and powerful engines, and after holding his own in his track debut in June, he could be ready to make a big leap Sunday. At his current 66/1 odds, he is at least worth taking a chance on.
Bettors looking for a serious longshot this weekend may want to consider Danica Patrick. Considering her rookie season at the Cup level has mainly been a disaster, it should come as no surprise that she currently has 150/1 odds to win this weekend. However, Patrick did manage a 13th-place finish at her Michigan debut earlier this year, which is her third-best Cup finish to date and by far her best finish at a high-speed intermediate oval. If Patrick can at least repeat her performance from the June event, she will be within striking if the race does come down to fuel mileage strategy. Keep in mind that her lone win during her time in the IndyCar Series came via fuel mileage, and with nothing to lose in terms of the point standings, Patrick and her team will likely be more than willing to roll the dice if they get the opportunity. Not to mention the fact that a small wager will yield a huge payoff if she does happen to pull the upset.
Be sure to check the NSAwins.com Betting Daily Blog all week for updated 2013 Pure Michigan 400 odds, free tips, free picks, predictions and articles from NASCAR expert tipster Brian Polking. NSAwins.com is your home for 2013 Pure Michigan 400 Betting Odds and Handicapping coverage!
Odds to win the Nascar 2013 Pure Michigan 400
Jimmie Johnson 5/1
Kasey Kahne 7/1
Kyle Busch 8/1
Matt Kenseth 8/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 10/1
Greg Biffle 10/1
Kurt Busch 12/1
Carl Edwards 12/1
Brad Keselowski 12/1
Kevin Harvick 12/1
Clint Bowyer 15/1
Martin Truex Jr 15/1
Jeff Gordon 15/1
Denny Hamlin 18/1
Joey Logano 25/1
Ryan Newman 30/1
Jamie McMurray 40/1
Austin Dillon 40/1
Juan Montoya 60/1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr 60/1
Mark Martin 75/1
Danica Patrick 100/1
Bobby Labonte 100/1
AJ Allmendinger 100/1
Paul Menard 100/1
Jeff Burton 100/1
Trevor Bayne 100/1
Marcos Ambrose 100/1
Aric Almirola 100/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 100/1
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on the 2013 Pure Michigan 400 Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN BOVADA Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get a 50% BONUS instantly FREE. |
Check the latest NASCAR Vegas Odds and Betting Lines from BOVADA below: