Another First Time Winner In 2008 At Charlotte

Lowe's Motor Speedway -- 10/11/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Thursday Oct 9 2008 8:39am

Tony Stewart finally snapped his excruciating 43-race winless streak at Talladega last week. However, there are several more star quality drivers with a big fat zero in the win column. That list includes the likes of Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, and Kevin Harvick. Gordon, Kenseth, and Harvick have been somewhat competitive all year, but there are only six races remaining. Gordon has not encountered a winless season since 1993, his rookie season. Kenseth was winless in his sophomore season in 2001, and Harvick failed to win in a race 2004.

The Sprint Cup Series will stay close to home this weekend, as they will compete in the Bank Of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jimmie Johnson dominated this racetrack earlier in the decade with five wins from 2003 to 2005. He will endeavor to open up his 72-point lead over Edwards at one of his best tracks.

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

Now that the 2002 and 2005 Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart has a win under his belt, perhaps it is the 2003 champion’s turn to grace victory lane. Matt Kenseth is in the middle of a 30-race winless skid, and is well overdue for a victory. The fact that Kenseth, Stewart, and Jeff Gordon have had trouble winning this year confirms how rigid the competition has become in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. Kenseth’s first win occurred at Charlotte in his rookie season in 2000. He has not won at the 1.5-mile facility since, other than his All-Star win in 2004, but it has been one of his better tracks throughout the years. The intermediate speedways are where Kenseth typically shines. In his last two races at Charlotte, Kenseth has scored finishes of 34th and seventh.

In eighteen starts at Charlotte, Kenseth has one victory, five top five finishes, and eight top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 15.3. He has eleven career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 13.8.

2. 99-Carl Edwards: 5-1 nascar odds

Following the ruinous wreck that he initiated at Talladega last week, which took out two of his Roush Fenway Racing teammates, Carl Edwards looks to redeem himself at Charlotte this weekend. He hopes to gain a chunk of the ground he lost to Jimmie Johnson in the championship battle. Now trailing Johnson by 72 points, Edwards must finish ahead of Johnson as much as possible, starting with this weekend’s event. Four of Edwards’ six wins this year have occurred at tracks similar to Charlotte. In his last two races at Charlotte, Edwards has posted finishes of fifth and ninth.

In eight career starts at Charlotte, Edwards has yet to win, but he has posted three top five finishes, and six top ten finishes. He has an impressive finishing average of 7.6. He has eleven career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 11.4.

3. 48-Jimmie Johnson: 4-1 nascar odds

From 2003 to 2005, Lowe’s Motor Speedway was Jimmie Johnson’s personal playground. He won five consecutive races at the Mecca of Motorsports during that period, and that does not include All-Star wins in 2003 and 2006. For some reason or another, Johnson and the 48 figured out this racetrack. Nevertheless, they have not been to victory lane at Charlotte since the All-Star race in 2006. In fact, he has finished tenth or worse in each of his last three races here. After distancing himself from Edwards and Greg Biffle at Talladega, the nascar odds are that he may continue to pad his lead this weekend. In his last two races at Charlotte, Johnson has finishes of 14th and 39th.

In fourteen career starts at Charlotte, Johnson has five wins, eight top five finishes, and eleven top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 9.1. He has 29 career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 10.

4. 16-Greg Biffle: 6-1 nascar odds

Greg Biffle characteristically performs well at Charlotte, though some of his finishes may not reflect that. In May, Biffle scored back-to-back second place finishes at Charlotte in the All-Star race and the Coca Cola 600. The duo of runner-up finishes enhanced Biffle’s confidence at the 1.5-mile speedway. Biffle hopes to rebound from a 22nd place finish at Talladega. He displayed a lot of class by not throwing his teammate Carl Edwards under the bus last weekend when he had the chance. Instead, he praised Edwards for trying to work together as teammates. In his last two races at Charlotte, Biffle has scored finishes of 27th and second.

In eleven career starts at Charlotte, Biffle has two top five finishes, and four top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 19.3. He has thirteen career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 16.1.

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

It is difficult to believe that Kyle Busch has not finished in the top ten since Labor Day weekend at California. That was six races ago. Certainly, Busch is on the verge of a momentum swing that could vault him back among the top ten in the Sprint Cup championship standings. Busch has not won a race since Watkins Glen in August, so in his mind, he is well overdue for a victory. Expect Busch to finally break away from the dark cloud that has been trailing him over the past month, and contend for the win at Charlotte, a track that he has yet to conquer. In his last two races at Charlotte, Busch has a pair of third place finishes.

In nine career starts at Charlotte, Kyle Busch has posted two top five finishes, and three top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 23.3. He has seven career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 17.5.

6. 20-Tony Stewart: 12-1 nascar odds

If only his tires held up for two more laps in the Coca Cola 600, Tony Stewart would have easily won his first race of the season at Charlotte. Nonetheless, Stewart cut a tire and slapped the wall, and the victory that was within his grasp slipped through his fingers. Stewart returns to Charlotte with confidence and momentum, to essential components to success in the sport of NASCAR. Stewart won this race in 2003 after a late-race duel with his future teammate Ryan Newman. In his last two races at Charlotte, Stewart has posted finishes of seventh and 18th.

In nineteen career starts at Charlotte, Stewart has one win, six top five finishes, and eleven top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 13.2. He has eighteen career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 12.6.

7. 9-Kasey Kahne: 20-1 nascar odds

Kasey Kahne won the All-Star race and the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte back in May. However, do not go betting all your money on him. This team has fallen off significantly since the back-to-back wins. Still, it is impossible to discount Kahne’s record of accomplishments at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. In addition to his wins this year, he swept the races at Charlotte in 2006. He should be a factor this weekend. He will be the non-Chaser to keep an eye on this weekend. In his last two races at Charlotte, Kahne has scored finishes of eighth and first.

In nine career starts at Charlotte, Kahne has three wins, three top five finishes, and four top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 14.1. He has eight career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 18.4.

8. 88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: 12-1 nascar odds

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. heads into Charlotte hoping to turn around what has been an rollercoaster season. He was a legitimate championship consideration early in the season, even outperforming his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson. His performance has waned since his victory at Michigan in June. Earnhardt, Jr. is still searching for his first points-paying win at Charlotte. He did win the 2000 All-Star race, becoming one of two rookies to accomplish that feat. His performances at the intermediate speedways have been erratic at best. In his last two races at Charlotte, Earnhardt, Jr. has finishes of 19th and fifth.

In eighteen career starts at Charlotte, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has five top five finishes, and nine top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 16.3. He has seven career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 16.6.

9. 29-Kevin Harvick: 30-1 nascar odds

The Lowe’s Motor Speedway has not been one of Kevin Harvick’s most impressive tracks throughout his career, but he has been so consistent over the past three months, it is hard not to consider him. He has not scored a top ten at Charlotte since October of 2003, which is roughly five years. Harvick scored a top ten finish at Kansas to weeks ago, which is a 1.5-mile speedway, similar to Charlotte. Do not expect Harvick to contend for the win this weekend, but you can bet your bottom dollar that he will score a top ten barring any misfortune. In his last two races at Charlotte, Harvick has scored finishes of 33rd and 14th.

In fifteen career starts at Charlotte, Harvick has scored one top five finish, which was a second place finish in his first start, and three top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 20.7. He has seven career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 16.0.

10. 24-Jeff Gordon: 18-1 nascar odds

For all of you Jeff Gordon fans and detractors, did you ever think you would see the day when the four-time champion went an entire year without a single victoryΔ Well, the day has come. Gordon’s last win occurred at Charlotte a year ago, and probably would not have won that race if Ryan Newman did not spin out with three laps to go. It has been a difficult time for Gordon fans, but come on; you guys have been spoiled over the past decade and a half. Gordon is aching for a victory, and based on his performance at Kansas two weeks ago, he could have an opportunity this weekend. In his last two races at Charlotte, Gordon has finishes of first and fourth.

In 31 career starts at Charlotte, Jeff Gordon has four wins, including his first career win in 1994, twelve top five finishes, and fourteen top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 16.4. He has 40 career wins on intermediate speedways, and an average finish of 11.9.

Also, keep an eye on Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin (20-1 nascar odds), Brian Vickers (25-1 nascar odds), and David Ragan

Great darkhorse picks include Elliott Sadler, David Reutimann (100-1 nascar odds), Jamie McMurray, Casey Mears, and Regan Smith

Stay away from Scott Speed, Sam Hornish, Jr., Bryan Clauson, and Reed Sorenson

Note: Scott Speed, Brian Keselowski, and Bryan Clauson will be attempting to qualify for their first Sprint Cup race.

Odds Maker’s Top Ten

1. Jimmie Johnson 4-1 nascar odds
2. Carl Edwards 5-1 nascar odds
3. Greg Biffle 6-1 nascar odds
4. Kyle Busch 6-1 nascar odds
5. Matt Kenseth 10-1 nascar odds
6. Tony Stewart 12-1 nascar odds
7. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 12-1 nascar odds
8. Jeff Gordon 18-1 nascar odds
9. Denny Hamlin 20-1 nascar odds
10. Kasey Kahne 20-1 nascar odds