Tony Stewart Is Overdue For A Win

Daytona International Speedway -- 07/05/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Thursday Jul 3 2008 2:03pm

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

Tony Stewart dominated this particular race in 2005 and 2006, and he was running second when he and teammate Denny Hamlin got together. For some reason, Stewart tends to run well at Daytona under the lights. After another win slipped through his fingers last week at New Hampshire, Stewart heads to one of his best tracks. Keep in mind fans, the longer Stewart goes without a win, the hungrier he is, so look out for the orange Toyota Camry this weekend. He is a solid bet to win the Coke Zero 400. In this race last year, Stewart finished 38th after colliding with his teammate. He finished third in the Daytona 500.

In nineteen career starts at Daytona, Stewart has two wins, six top five finishes, and ten top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 17.6. Overall, he has two superspeedway wins, and an average finish of 14.7.

2. 88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: 6-1 nascar odds

It is difficult to believe that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has not won a championship points-paying race at Daytona since his Daytona 500 win in February of 2004. Back in February, Earnhardt, Jr. won the Budweiser Shootout and one of the Gatorade Duel races. Since his arrival in NASCAR, he has emerged as one of the greatest restrictor plate drivers. Only his father Dale Earnhardt, and Jeff Gordon have more wins on superspeedway tracks. With his proficiency behind the wheel, and the Hendrick Motorsports restrictor plate package, bettors cannot go wrong with Earnhardt, Jr. In this race a year ago, Earnhardt, Jr. finished 36th. He finished ninth in the Daytona 500.

In seventeen career starts at Daytona, Earnhardt, Jr. has two wins, six top five finishes, and ten top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 13.9. Overall, he has seven superspeedway victories, and an average finish of 16.2.

3. 18-Kyle Busch: 5-1 nascar odds

After leading 86 laps in the season-opening Daytona 500, anything less than a win was disappointing. Well, Kyle Busch finished fourth, so he was obviously dissatisfied leaving Daytona the last time the Sprint Cup Series visited the celebrated 2.5-mile oval. Busch is coming off one of his most ineffective performances of the 2008 season at New Hampshire. To add salt to the wound, he faced the wrath of a crossed Juan Pablo Montoya, who spun him around during the final caution. Judging by the way Busch and the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers performed in February, he should enjoy a productive weekend. Keep in mind bettors, Busch won the last restrictor plate race at Talladega just three months ago. In this race a year ago, Kyle Busch finished second just inches behind race winner Jamie McMurray.

In seven career starts at Daytona, Kyle Busch has three top five finishes, and three top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 17.7. Overall, Busch has one superspeedway win, and an average finish of 22.5.

4. 24-Jeff Gordon: 7-1 nascar odds

Jeff Gordon is one of, if not the best restrictor plate driver NASCAR has ever witnessed. Of all active drivers, no one has visited Daytona’s winner circle as much as Gordon has. He ran in the top five in the Daytona 500 for most of the race until he encountered a mechanical failure that relegated him to a 39th place finish. It seems that Gordon and the 24 team are steadily improving and should be one of the favorites to capture his first win of the 2008 Sprint Cup campaign. In this race a year ago, Gordon finished fifth.

In thirty-one career starts at Daytona, Gordon has six victories, eleven top five finishes, and seventeen top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 14.7. Overall, Gordon has seventeen superspeedway wins, and an average finish of 15.0.

5. 48-Jimmie Johnson: 8-1 nascar odds

The 2006 Daytona 500 winner is coming off another sound performance at New Hampshire, further embedding himself into the Chase for the Championship field. Johnson is typically a frontrunner when the Sprint Cup Series visits the Daytona International Speedway. Other than a couple of hiccups, this team has enjoyed a solid season, and they seem to be continually progressing. He is another one of the heavy favorites for the Coke Zero 400. In this race a year ago, Johnson finished tenth. He finished 27th in the Daytona 500.

In thirteen career starts at Daytona, Johnson has one victory, five top five finishes, and eight top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 13.2. Overall, he has two superspeedway wins, and an average finish of 16.6.

6. 12-Ryan Newman: 30-1 nascar odds

Ryan Newman’s Daytona 500 was supposed to spark a comeback season for the driver once considered a perennial championship contender. Unfortunately, Newman is a casualty of Penske Racing’s struggles. Nearly five months after Newman and long-time car own Roger Penske celebrated their first Daytona 500 trophy, this could be the last race at the storied track for them as a pair. Newman is reportedly testing the free agent market, and several teams are interested in his services. Despite the minor distractions, he is one of the drivers to watch as he has surfaced as one of the sports top restrictor drivers. In this race a year ago, Newman finished 14th.

In thirteen career starts at Daytona, Newman has one victory, two top five finishes, and three top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 18.7. Overall, he has one superspeedway win, and an average finish of 17.3.

7. 2-Kurt Busch: 15-1 nascar odds

Kurt Busch pushed his teammate Ryan Newman to the victory in Daytona in February. The season could not have started any sweeter for the Penske Racing duo. However, neither driver nor team has been consistent enough to remain in the top twelve. Kurt Busch won the rain-shortened race at New Hampshire last week, so they have a little bit of momentum on their side. Busch has proven to be one of the better restrictor plate drivers in NASCAR, despite the fact he has yet to win at either Daytona or Talladega. In this race a year ago, Kurt Busch finished third.

In fifteen career starts at Daytona, Kurt Busch has seven top five finishes, and seven top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 19.3. Overall, Busch has fifteen top five finishes on superspeedways, and an average finish of 16.1.

8. 29-Kevin Harvick: 25-1 nascar odds

In 2007, Kevin Harvick proved that a Daytona 500 victory does not guaranteed a successful season. Harvick made the Chase for the Championship last year, but his season was less than spectacular. Seventeen months after his dramatic win, Harvick is still searching for his next triumph. Following a solid showing at New Hampshire last week, Harvick hopes to gradually improve as we inch closer to the Chase for the Championship cutoff. In this race a year ago, Harvick finished 34th. He finished 14th in the Daytona 500.

In fifteen career starts at Daytona, Harvick has one victory, three top five finishes, and five top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 16.2. Overall, Harvick has one superspeedway win, and an average finish of 16.1.

9. 11-Denny Hamlin: 10-1 nascar odds

Denny Hamlin led 32 laps early in the Daytona 500 before damage ended his hopes of a Daytona 500 triumph. He also performed well at Talladega in April, so he should be one to consider at Daytona this weekend. Last year, Hamlin finished 43rd after he was hit from behind by his teammate Tony Stewart. In the Daytona 500, Hamlin finished 17th.

In five career starts at Daytona, Hamlin has yet to crack the top ten. He has an average finish of 27.0. Overall, Hamlin has an average finish of 20.6 on superspeedways.

10. 17-Matt Kenseth: 30-1 nascar odds

When you think of the top restrictor plate drivers, Matt Kenseth rarely comes to mind. However, if you pay attention, you would see that he is normally running in or near the top ten. Kenseth may not be the nascar odds-on favorite to win this weekend, but he should post a respectable finish. In this race a year ago, Kenseth finished eighth. He finished 36th in the Daytona 500.

In seventeen career starts at Daytona, Kenseth has one top five finish, and six top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 20.4. Overall, Kenseth has an average finish of 18.1 on superspeedways.

Also keep an eye on Jeff Burton (25-1 nascar odds), Clint Bowyer (25-1 nascar odds), Carl Edwards (30-1 nascar odds), Martin Truex, Jr. (35-1 nascar odds), and Mark Martin (30-1 nascar odds)

Great darkhorse picks include Jamie McMurray (40-1 nascar odds), Casey Mears (50-1 nascar odds), Brian Vickers (35-1 nascar odds), Juan Pablo Montoya (60-1 nascar odds), and Elliott Sadler (40-1 nascar odds)

Stay away from Michael McDowell, Jon Wood, Patrick Carpentier, and J.J .Yeley

Odds Maker’s Top Ten

1. Kyle Busch 5-1 nascar odds
2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 6-1 nascar odds
3. Tony Stewart 6-1 nascar odds
4. Jeff Gordon 7-1 nascar odds
5. Jimmie Johnson 8-1 nascar odds
6. Denny Hamlin 10-1 nascar odds
7. Kurt Busch 15-1 nascar odds
8. Jeff Burton 25-1 nascar odds
9. Clint Bowyer 25-1 nascar odds
10. Kevin Harvick 25-1 nascar odds