Earnhardt, Kyle Busch Go For Daytona Sweep

Daytona International Speedway -- 07/04/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Wednesday Jul 2 2008 12:53pm

The Winn Dixie 250 Nationwide Series race will feature ten Sprint Cup regulars. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will drive in Friday night’s event, as well as the Nationwide/Sprint Cup regulars such as Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, David Ragan, and David Reutimann.

Earnhardt, Jr.’s elder brother, Kerry, will make his first Nationwide Series start of the season, and with DEI. Kerry Earnhardt has seven wins in the ARCA Series.

1. 5-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: +350 nascar odds

Two years ago, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. flat-out dominated this race while driving for Chance 2 under the DEI umbrella. This year, he will have the luxury of Hendrick Motorsports horsepower, as he will drive the number 5 Chevrolet. Earnhardt, Jr. is arguably the best restrictor plate driver in the universe so he could make the Daytona International Speedway his personal playground on Friday evening.

2. 18-Kyle Busch: +300 nascar odds

Kyle Busch already owns four wins in the Nationwide Series in 2008. However, none of his wins has occurred on a track that requires the use of a restrictor plate. Kyle Busch will look to add a win at Daytona to his impressive record of accomplishments in NASCAR. He will drive the number 18 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, which is the same team he won with at Texas back in April. No other driver has led as many laps as Busch has in the Nationwide Series in 2008.

3. 2-Clint Bowyer: +900 nascar odds

Just because Clint Bowyer leads the Nationwide Series championship standings by 182 points over David Reutimann does not mean that he is satisfied. Bowyer has visited victory lane only once in 2008, and has not performed the way he expected. His consistency has kept him on top in the championship standings. A win at Daytona could spark a surge that could propel Bowyer into an insurmountable lead in the standings.

4. 20-Denny Hamlin: +400 nascar odds

Lost in the Kyle Busch hoopla is his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin. Hamlin has two wins in nine Nationwide Series starts in 2008. He is still searching for his first win at Daytona. He will be driving the same number 20 car that he won with at Richmond. Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and Joey Logano have also won in this racecar.

5. 33-Kevin Harvick: +700 nascar odds

Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte have won for Kevin Harvick, Inc.; however, Kevin Harvick is still searching for his first win with the team he built from scratch. Harvick has competed in 12 races in 2008, all for KHI. This is the first season in which he will not drive for Richard Childress in the Nationwide Series. It would make sense for Harvick to win his first race of the season on a restrictor plate venue.

6. 88-Brad Keselowski: +2000 nascar odds

Brad Keselowski is the budding star for JR Motorsports. He finally won his first career race at Nashville last month and is a frequent frontrunner in the Nationwide Series. He has proven that he can run with the big dogs of the Sprint Cup Series. In addition, he is not afraid to mix it up, just ask Denny Hamlin. Keselowski should contend for the win on Friday evening.

7. 60-Carl Edwards: +1000 nascar odds

Carl Edwards is not terrible on the restrictor plate tracks by any means; however, they are not his strong suit. Still, you cannot discount Edwards as a contender. He will be one of the frontrunners on Friday evening. At Talladega, Edwards was running in the lead pack when he was involved in a multi-car accident triggered by a lap car.

8. 99-David Reutimann: +2500 nascar odds

Michael Waltrip Racing’s David Reutimann has enjoyed a solid season in 2008. He is currently second to Clint Bowyer in the championship standings, and is within striking distance. One thing that is missing is a victory. Reutimann should have a solid showing at Daytona, but he will probably win a race when there are less Sprint Cup regulars in the field, such as Gateway or Memphis.

9. 9-Kasey Kahne: +1800 nascar odds

Kasey Kahne is making his eighth start of the 2008 Nationwide Season. Like several drivers in the field, he will be gunning for his first win of the season. Kahne is not one of the best super speedway drivers; nevertheless, you cannot ignore him.

10. 1-Mike Bliss: +4000 nascar odds

From the darkhorse list to the top ten list. Mike Bliss is quite possibly the most underrated driver in the Nationwide Series. He is a contender each week. Furthermore, no matter where he drives, he makes the team better. He turned Fitz Racing into a top ten team, and he has turned around the Phoenix Racing program. Additionally, he will benefit from the Hendrick Motorsports engine package.

Also keep an eye on Brian Vickers (+1200 nascar odds), David Ragan (+1800 nascar odds), Scott Wimmer (+2000 nascar odds), and Jason Leffler (+3000 nascar odds)

Great darkhorse picks include David Stremme (+2000 nascar odds), Steve Wallace, Kerry Earnhardt, Jason Keller, and Mike Wallace

Stay away from Eric McClure, Kertus Davis, Brad Baker, Kevin Lepage, and Burney Lamar

Odds Maker’s Top Ten

1. Kyle Busch +300 nascar odds
2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. +350 nascar odds
3. Denny Hamlin +400 nascar odds
4. Kevin Harvick +700 nascar odds
5. Clint Bowyer +900 nascar odds
6. Carl Edwards +1000 nascar odds
7. Brian Vickers +1200 nascar odds
8. David Ragan +1800 nascar odds
9. Kasey Kahne +1800 nascar odds
10. Brad Keselowski, David Stremme, and Scott Wimmer +2000 nascar odds