Earnhardt, Gordon Are The Odds-on Favorites for the Bud Shootout

Daytona International Speedway -- 02/09/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Tuesday Feb 5 2008 12:11am

1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.- + 400 nascar odds

NASCAR’s favorite son along with his new teammate Jeff Gordon, are the odd-on favorite to capture the Budweiser Shootout trophy Saturday night. The 2003 winner of this event will greatly benefit from the boundless resources provided by Hendrick Motorsports, making him a betting man’s number one pick.

An Earnhardt, Jr. win would provide an interesting storyline as it would be his first actual race inside Hendrick Motorsports equipment. With the exception of Jeff Gordon, Earnhardt, Jr. is the best restrictor plate driver in the sport as he has posted eight victories at both Daytona and Talladega, and that includes his 2003 Budweiser Shootout victory. His skill at tracks that require a restrictor plate coupled with Hendrick Motorsports horsepower may equal a Budweiser Shootout triumph.

Since 2003, Earnhardt, Jr. has finished 1st, 2nd, 7th, 2nd, and 14th.

2. Jeff Gordon- + 400 nascar odds

Jeff Gordon is a solid pick at any venue on the NASCAR schedule, but especially at Daytona. He won this race in 1994 and 1997. Additionally, Gordon has won six points-paying races at the 2.5-mile facility, which includes three Daytona 500’s.

Gordon makes very few mistakes when it comes to restrictor plate racing, and he has a wealth of experience. He is not afraid to mix it up either, despite his reputation as a poised veteran. Furthermore, he has the luxury of Hendrick horsepower under his hood. Gordon is the smart man’s pick for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout.

Since 2003, Jeff Gordon has placed finishes of 2nd, 5th, 3rd, 19th, and 21st.

3. Tony Stewart- + 600 nascar odds

If there were a Budweiser Shootout driver of the decade, that accolade belongs to Tony Stewart.

He owns the 2001, 2002, and 2007 title to the pre-season event. Stewart is built perfectly for this type of shootout. He is an experienced veteran who may be the most audacious driver on the circuit. Last season, Stewart used his front bumper to move Kyle Busch out of the way, and oh yeah, that was for the lead.

The only hang-up, if you want to call it that, is the fact that Joe Gibbs Racing now fields Toyota Camry’s. Stewart drove General Motors products to his three Budweiser Shootout victories. However, Stewart could drive a Pinto and still be competitive.

Since 2003, Tony Stewart has finished 15th, 7th, 4th, 3rd, and 1st.

4. Jimmie Johnson- + 500 nascar odds

No driver has won as many races as Jimmie Johnson since he arrived on the NASCAR scene in 2002. One of those victories was the 2005 Budweiser Shootout. Johnson and the ‘48’ team have knack of being in the right place at the right time, and that is crucial when it comes to restrictor plate racing. Early in his career, Johnson’s inexperience and impatience was the root of several huge wrecks; however, he has matured and that was evident in 2006 when he won three out of four restrictor plate races, including the Daytona 500. Not to mention, he has one of the most crafty crew chiefs in the business sitting atop the pit box.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver has placed finishes of 7th, 9th, 1st, 5th, and 4th since 2003.

5. Denny Hamlin- +1200 nascar odds

As a rookie in 2006, Denny Hamlin shocked NASCAR Nation by fending off veterans Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Tony Stewart en route to the Budweiser Shootout victory. Hamlin has quickly established himself as a threat week in and week out. Nevertheless, his restrictor plate results have been somewhat lackluster since his Budweiser Shootout triumph. In fact, he has yet to score a top ten finish in four points-paying events at Daytona. Moreover, like Stewart, Hamlin will be piloting a Toyota Camry for the first time. That could be a possible encumbrance.

In Hamlin’s two Budweiser Shootout appearances, he has placed finishes of 1st and 17th.

6. Kurt Busch- +700 nascar odds

Kurt Busch has never won a race at a track that requires a restrictor plate. However, he seems to be on the cusp. He led 95 laps in last season’s Daytona 500 before a skirmish with Tony Stewart took him out of contention. In the July race, he led 45 laps and posted an impressive third place finish. Previously their Achilles heel, Penske Racing has vastly improved their restrictor plate program over the past three or four years.

Kurt Busch may not be the optimum pick for the Budweiser Shootout, but he could be someone to take a chance on.

Since 2003, Kurt Busch has placed finishes of 11th, 6th, and 3rd.

7. Mark Martin- +1500 nascar odds

Now that he is on the DEI driver roster, Mark Martin is among the favorites at the restrictor plate tracks. Martin won the Shootout in 1999 with Roush Fenway Racing, but it is no secret that DEI is a force on the super speedways. From 2001 to 2004, DEI drivers, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Michael Waltrip, won 11 out of 16 races held at Daytona and Talladega. Martin’s patience and experience could be advantageous, but on the other hand, he may just be too passive aggressive to win a race that may cause for some added aggression.

Martin is a decent pick, especially now that he is with DEI, but he is not the recommended pick.

Since 2003, Martin has placed finishes of 17th, 4th, 8th, 7th, and 6th.

8. Martin Truex, Jr.- +1500 nascar odds

Martin Truex, Jr. was arguably the breakout star in 2007. He asserted himself as ‘the man’ at DEI after it was evident that Earnhardt, Jr. was leaving. Truex, Jr. has yet to win a restrictor plate event, but he has the support of the DEI and Richard Childress Racing engine package that has accounted for multiple restrictor plate victories. This will be Truex, Jr.’s first Budweiser Shootout.

Truex, Jr. is more of a darkhorse than a favorite. Picking him would be a risk.

9. Jamie McMurray- +1500 nascar odds

Surprisingly, Jamie McMurray is one of the better restrictor plate races in NASCAR. His win at Daytona last July only verified that. McMurray could end up being a smart pick. He is a hungry driver with a lot to prove, and he has the resources at Roush Fenway Racing to get the job done. And unless, he wrecks, he is typically one of the drivers in the lead draft once the race reaches its closing laps.

Since 2003, McMurray has appeared in two Budweiser Shootouts and has placed finishes of 17th in 2004 and 8th in 2006.

10. Ryan Newman- +1800

Ryan Newman may be the most overdue driver in NASCAR as far as winning is concerned. What better way to start the 2008 Sprint Cup season then to score the Budweiser Shootout crown. Newman came close in 2005 when he finished 2nd to Jimmie Johnson. He also finished fourth in 2003. Newman may be someone to take a chance on. He is one of the few drivers that can be level-headed and aggressive all in the same lap. However, he is not a preferred pick.

Newman has posted finished of 4th, 16th, 2nd, 17th, and 20th since 2003.

Sleeper picks- Clint Bowyer- +1500 and Casey Mears- +1500