Can Tony Stewart Finally Breakthrough?

Lowe's Motor Speedway -- 05/17/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Thursday May 15 2008 1:14pm

1. 20-Tony Stewart: +900 Odds

There are two races that all great drivers seem to win- the Daytona 500 and the All-Star Challenge. No one would argue that Tony Stewart is a great driver; however, he has yet to conquer two of NASCAR’s most prestigious events. Humpy Wheeler picked Carl Edwards, and I pick Tony Stewart. He is well overdue for an All-Star triumph. In fact, he is overdue for a win, period.

Stewart’s last three finishes in the All-Star race- 17th, 12th, and 5th

2. 99-Carl Edwards: +500 Odds

Carl Edwards is not only the nascar odds-on favorite to win the Sprint Cup All-Star Challenge, he is track promoter Humpy Wheeler’s pick to win as well. Edwards has been the driver to beat on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2008, so it is a coherent pick. Edwards missed this race a year ago as he failed to win a race in 2006, and did not advance through the Showdown or fan vote. He ended up as a guest pit reporter, which had to be humbling. What a difference a year makes. Now he is favored to win the big race.

Edwards’ two finishes in the All-Star race- 15th, and 4th

3. 18-Kyle Busch: +550 Odds

Kyle Busch has won just about everything else this season so why not the All-Star race. If he were to win Saturday night, he would be the youngest driver to win the event. Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman are currently the two youngest winners of this race. Last year, Kyle and his brother Kurt Busch shared in an on-track clash and neither driver has yet to accept responsibility. By the way, it was Kyle’s fault. This year, Kyle seems more determined than ever to win every race and lead every lap. He should be fun to watch. The likelihood of him crashing out is higher than most frontrunners.

Kyle Busch’s two finishes in the All-Star race- 16th, and 20th

4. 48-Jimmie Johnson: +650 Odds

There was a time, quite recently actually, when Jimmie Johnson practically owned Lowe’s Motor Speedway. He won this race in 2003, and began a three-year supremacy at the Mecca of motorsports. He also won this race in 2006, the same year he won the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400. This team is not as stout as they were in 2003 and 2006, but never count them out.

Johnson’s last three finishes in the All-Star race- 5th, 1st, and 2nd

5. 88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: +700 Odds

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is one of only two rookies to win this race. He won it in 2000 and Ryan Newman won in 2002. Earnhardt, Jr. has always performed well at Charlotte, and should even be stronger in Hendrick Motorsports equipment. An All-Star win would be a brief vacation from his lengthy winless streak. He should be a solid contender.

Earnhardt, Jr. last three finishes in the All-Star race- 10th, 9th, and 9th

6. 11-Denny Hamlin: +800 Odds

Denny Hamlin is another young driver with little experience and plenty of exuberance. Like Edwards and Busch, Hamlin is an aggressive driver and this format could favor him because of that. However, aggressiveness does not always serve as an advantage; see Kyle and Kurt Busch in 2007. Hamlin is no stranger to victory lane in one of NASCAR’s exhibition races. As a rookie, he won the Budweiser Shootout in Daytona in 2006.

Hamlin’s only finish in the All-Star race- 17th

7. 24-Jeff Gordon: +900 Odds

Jeff Gordon is one of NASCAR’s top drivers when it comes to winning the big race. He has three All-Star wins, his last one coming in 2001; he has three Daytona 500 victories as well as four Brickyard 400 wins. The last time Gordon and the 24 team raced on a 1.5-mile track was Texas last month. We all know how that turned out. This team has done their homework, so they should perform better at Charlotte.

Gordon’s last three finishes in the All-Star race- 4th, 3rd, and 11th

8. 16-Greg Biffle: +1400 Odds

No other driver was as frustrated as Greg Biffle was last weekend at Darlington. After winning the pole and leading 95 laps, he appeared primed and ready to win his first race of the 2008 season. Unfortunately, a series of problems began to mount, and ultimately, Biffle finished 43rd after his engine expired. He looks to redeem himself this weekend at Charlotte, and this team has performed well on the intermediate style tracks.

Biffle’s last three finishes in the All-Star race- 14th, 13th, and 15th

9. 07-Clint Bowyer: +2000 Odds

This will be Clint Bowyer’s first All-Star Challenge as he failed to advance the previous two seasons. Bowyer finished second last fall at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, so he knows how to get around the 1.5-mile facility. He may not be one of the favorites to win, but he is a solid pick based on the way this team has performed all year.

Bowyer has never competed in the All-Star Challenge.

10. 29-Kevin Harvick: +1600 Odds

Kevin Harvick held off Jimmie Johnson last year to capture his first All-Star victory. That was the last time he visited victory lane in a Sprint Cup car. Harvick’s performance has waned a bit since Bristol back in March, so he is not among the favorites to win. However, he was not favored last year either and of course, he was the driver celebrating in the winner’s circle.

Harvick’s last three finishes in the All-Star Challenge- 18th, 2nd, and 1st

Also, keep an eye on: Matt Kenseth (+1600), Jeff Burton (+2000), Martin Truex, Jr. (+2000), Ryan Newman (+2800), and Mark Martin (+2500)

Great Darkhorse picks include: Casey Mears (+3000) and Juan Pablo Montoya (+4000)

Stay away from: Dale Jarrett (+8000) (though it would be awesome to see him win one last race)

Odds Maker’s Top Ten

1. Carl Edwards- +500 Odds
2. Kyle Busch- +550 Odds
3. Jimmie Johnson- +650 Odds
4. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.- +700 Odds
5. Denny Hamlin- +800 Odds
6. Tony Stewart- + 900 Odds
7. Jeff Gordon- +900 Odds
8. Greg Biffle- +1400 Odds
9. Kevin Harvick- +1600 Odds
10. Matt Kenseth- +1600 Odds