Big Weekend For Tony Stewart

Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- 07/27/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Wednesday Jul 23 2008 12:14pm

For the fifteenth time, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will compete on the hallowed grounds of Indianapolis Motors Speedway. Throughout the history of the All State 400, formerly known as the Brickyard 400, past champions have dominated the brick-kissing ritual. Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliott, Tony Stewart, and Jimmie Johnson, all past champions, have combined for twelve of fourteen wins at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Only Ricky Rudd and Kevin Harvick are drivers that won the Brickyard 40 and do not own a championship in the Cup series.

Clearly, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon have dominated the race over the years, but Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Denny Hamlin are sure to be contenders.

1. 20-Tony Stewart: 7-1 nascar odds

The 2005 and 2007 winner of this race is still searching for his first win of 2008. Tony Stewart’s number and sponsorship seem to be in place for next year, and the announcement should come later this week. A victory on Sunday would take this memorable weekend to another level. I have chosen Stewart to win on several occasions this season. The combination of their strong performances and the fact that he is overdue for a win makes the nascar odds to win rather high, especially at Indianapolis, which is arguably his best track. As always, Stewart is a smart pick for the All State Brickyard 400. He is the defending champion of this event.

In nine career starts at Indianapolis, Tony Stewart has two wins, four top five finishes, and six top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 7.6. He has eighteen career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 12.4.

2. 24-Jeff Gordon: 15-1 nascar odds

No other stock car driver has enjoyed the success at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as Pittsboro’s own Jeff Gordon. He won the inaugural event at the storied speedway in 1994, and kissed the bricks in 1998, 2001, and 2004 as well. Not only does he have the most wins, but also he has led the most laps at Indianapolis. Even though his best performances have not occurred on tracks such as Indianapolis, he and Stewart are the two drivers that have enjoyed the most success, and the victory may come down to a duel between the two superb drivers. In this race a year ago, Jeff Gordon finished third after starting the race in the 21st position.

In fourteen career starts at Indianapolis, Jeff Gordon has four wins, eight top five finishes, and eleven top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 8.9. He has forty career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 11.9.

3. 29-Kevin Harvick: 20-1 nascar odds

After a third place finish at Chicagoland two weeks ago, it appears that Kevin Harvick and his Richard Childress Racing team are on the verge of turning the corner. Historically, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of Harvick’s most favorable tracks, as he is the 2003 winner of this event. For some reason, he really knows how to navigate the 2.5-mile speedway better than most drivers in the Sprint Cup Series. In this race a year ago, Harvick was battling Stewart for the lead when the two drivers made contact. Harvick’s car began to fade due to the damage, and he ended up finishing seventh with a top two car.

In seven career starts at Indianapolis, Harvick has one victory, three top five finishes, and five top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 7.7. He has seven career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 16.2.

4. 99-Carl Edwards: 8-1 nascar odds

One of the drivers seeking their first victory at Indianapolis is Carl Edwards. After winning three of the first seven races of the 2008 season, Edwards has been shut out of victory lane, but it is not due to lack of performance. Edwards and the 99 team are arguably the second best performing team behind Kyle Busch and the 18 team. Tracks such as Indianapolis seem to suit Edwards’ driving style, so he will be a factor come Sunday afternoon, barring any unforeseen setback. One note of interest, Jack Roush and Roush Fenway Racing has never on at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I am sure that Edwards, Matt Kenseth, and Greg Biffle are aware of that fact. In this race a year ago, Edwards finished eighteenth after qualifying 35th.

In three career starts at Indianapolis, Edwards has one top ten finish, which is a ninth place finish in 2006. He has an average finish of 13.0. He has nine career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 12.1.

5. 18-Kyle Busch: 6-1 nascar odds

The hottest driver on the Sprint Cup Series tour is without a doubt Kyle Busch. He has three wins in the last four races, and there seems to be no deceleration in sight. He has won just about everything else, so why not the Allstate Brickyard 400Δ Well, the law of averages must kick in at some point. Busch will certainly contend for the win, and it would be no surprise if he did kiss the bricks on Sunday. However, his older teammate will be his biggest hurdle if he intends to win his third consecutive race. In this race a year ago, Kyle Busch finished fourth after qualifying eighteenth.

In three career starts at Indianapolis, Kyle Busch has one top five finish, and three top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 7.0. He has seven career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 17.0.

6. 48-Jimmie Johnson: 7-1 nascar odds

The 2006 winner of this event typically struggles at Indianapolis, judging by his past results. That is rather surprising considering that Johnson is one of NASCAR’s best drivers when it comes to tracks 1.5-miles to 2.5-miles in length. Most of his sub par finishes are due to misfortune as opposed to rotten performances. In this race a year ago, Johnson sustained damage in an accident, which resulted in a blown tire. He finished 39th after qualifying 19th.

In six career starts at Indianapolis, Johnson has one win, one top five finish, and two top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 23.5. He has 26 career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 10.3.

7. 17-Matt Kenseth: 10-1 nascar odds

Like Gordon and Stewart, Matt Kenseth is in hot pursuit of his first win of 2008. It is likely that he will add his name to the impressive list of past winners at Indianapolis this weekend. Kenseth and the 17 team are one of the better teams at tracks such as Indianapolis. He has been solid over the past two months, and is on the threshold of victory lane. Expect Kenseth to be a factor in the All State Brickyard 400 on Sunday. In this race a year ago, Kenseth finished tenth after starting the race in the 31st position.

In eight career starts at Indianapolis, Kenseth has four wins, five top five finishes, and an average finish of 13.2. He has eleven career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 13.8.

8. 11-Denny Hamlin: 10-1 nascar odds

It has been a rough couple of weeks for Denny Hamlin. The off-weekend came at an opportune time for Hamlin. He and the 11 team look to bounce back at Indianapolis. In this race a year ago, Hamlin had one of the faster cars, but struggles on pit road kept him from being a race-winning contender. He finished 22nd after qualifying tenth.

In two career starts at Indianapolis, Hamlin has one top ten finish, and an average finish of 16.0. He has three career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 13.8.

9. 16-Greg Biffle: 15-1 nascar odds

Greg Biffle is another capable driver that has not seen victory lane in 2008. Like Johnson, Biffle track record is less than stellar at Indianapolis, but it has not been due to lack of performance. Biffle is typically a top ten driver when the series races at the Brickyard. In this race a year ago, he finished fifteenth after qualifying eighth.

In five career starts at Indianapolis, Biffle has one top ten finish, which was a sixth place finish in 2004. He has an average finish of 19.2. He has eleven career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 16.7.

10. 88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: 12-1 nascar odds

Since his fuel mileage win at Michigan last month, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has cooled off a little. His 16th place showing at Chicagoland was somewhat of a disappointment. However, the Brickyard 400 trophy is one that Earnhardt, Jr. readily admits that he covets. Hendrick Motorsports has five wins at the Brickyard. In this race a year ago, Earnhardt, Jr. finished 34th after he suffered an engine malfunction.

In eight career starts at Indianapolis, Earnhardt, Jr. has two top ten finishes, with his best finish being sixth in 2006. He has an average finish of 21.1. He has seven career wins on intermediate tracks, and an average finish of 16.7.

Also, keep an eye on Brian Vickers (18-1 nascar odds), David Ragan (30-1 nascar odds), Mark Martin (25-1 nascar odds), Jeff Burton (25-1 nascar odds), and Kasey Kahne (7-1 nascar odds)

Great darkhorse picks include Dave Blaney (100-1 nascar odds), A.J. Allmendinger (100-1 nascar odds), David Reutimann (100-1 nascar odds), Sam Hornish, Jr. (100-1 nascar odds), and Juan Pablo Montoya (50-1 nascar odds)

Stay away from Regan Smith, J.J. Yeley, Michael McDowell, Terry Labonte, and Patrick Carpentier

Odds Maker’s Top Ten

1. Kyle Busch 6-1 nascar odds
2. Jimmie Johnson 7-1 nascar odds
3. Tony Stewart 7-1 nascar odds
4. Kasey Kahne 7-1 nascar odds
5. Carl Edwards 8-1 nascar odds
6. Matt Kenseth 10-1 nascar odds
7. Denny Hamlin 10-1 nascar odds
8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 12-1 nascar odds
9. Jeff Gordon 15-1 nascar odds
10. Greg Biffle 15-1 nascar odds