Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson Favorites At Pocono

Pocono Raceway -- 08/03/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Friday Aug 1 2008 1:56pm

After a bizarre display of racing at Indianapolis last weekend due to the tire issues, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series looks for redemption this weekend at Pocono with an exhilarating race. Pocono Raceway is not renowned for great racing, but there have been some exciting finishes here in the past.

In 2000, Jeremy Mayfield bumped Dale Earnhardt, Sr. out of the way on the final turn of the last lap to win the race. Two years earlier, Mayfield edged out Jeff Gordon for his first career win.

Look for Denny Hamlin to maintain his astonishing record at Pocono this weekend. He will receive a valiant challenge from Roush Fenway drivers Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, as well as the Hendrick Motorsports trio of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Oh yeah, Hamlin’s two teammates Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch are no slouches either.

1. Denny Hamlin: 8-1 nascar odds

Last week at Indianapolis, Denny Hamlin may have had a car that could have challenged Jimmie Johnson for the win. He was able to pull away from Johnson on older tires, but track position was extremely crucial. It is no wonder why Hamlin is the favorite heading into Pocono this weekend, considering his record of accomplishments at the 2.5-mil triangular oval. As a rookie, he swept both events at Pocono. In his last two trips to Pocono, Hamlin has recorded finishes of third in both races.

In five career starts at Pocono, Hamlin has two wins, four top five finishes, and five top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 2.8, which is best among active Sprint Cup drivers.

2. Jimmie Johnson: 11-1 nascar odds

Jimmie Johnson heads into Pocono Raceway as perhaps the hottest driver on the Sprint Cup tour. After dominating the All State 400 at the Brickyard last week, Johnson seems to be gaining on Kyle Busch as far as performance is concerned. Pocono is traditionally one of Johnson’s stronger tracks, as he swept both races in 2004. He had one of the fastest cars in June race. In his last two races at Pocono, Johnson has posted finishes of fifth and sixth.

In thirteen career starts at Pocono, Johnson has two wins, four top five finishes, and eight top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 10.3.

3. Carl Edwards: 7-1 nascar odds

Carl Edwards has finished second in two of the previous three races, which has to be eating him alive. Of course, finishing second pays a boatload of points, but true competitors are never truly satisfied with second best. Edwards should contend for the win at Pocono. He had a top five car when the Sprint Cup Series visited the speedway back in June. Edwards will be one of the drivers that will be traveling back and forth from Pocono to Montreal to compete in the Nationwide Series. In his last two races at Pocono, Edwards scored finishes of 21st and ninth.

In seven career starts at Pocono, Edwards has one victory, two top five finishes, and three top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 16.1.

4. Kasey Kahne: 11-2 nascar odds

In June, Kasey Kahne did everything right at Pocono Raceway. After winning the pole, Kahne led the most laps en route to his second win of the 2008 Sprint Cup season. It marked an early summer surge for the Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver. Based on his performance here in June, Kahne is favored to win this race, but keep in mind, this team is hit or miss. If they miss the setup, they are completely out of the ballpark. If they hit their setup, they will be right there when the checkered flag waves on Sunday. In his last two trips to Pocono, Kahne has finishes of 22nd and first.

In nine career starts at Pocono, Kahne has one win, two top five finishes, and three top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 17.7.

5. Greg Biffle: 15-1 nascar odds

Greg Biffle had a sure top five finish in the bag before he was caught speeding on the final green flag pit stop of the race. It was just one of the many disappointments that Biffle and the 16 team have faced in 2008. Perhaps it is their time to break out of the winless lull. Biffle is sure to be one of the favorites for this weekend’s race, but he must qualify better this time around to ensure favorable track position early in the race. In his last two races at Pocono, Biffle scored finishes of 23rd and fifteenth.

In eleven career starts at Pocono, Biffle has one top five finish, and two top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 18.8.

6. Kyle Busch: 6-1 nascar odds

The last time Kyle Busch visited Pocono Raceway, it was a weekend to forget. He finished 43rd, his worst finish of the season. Obviously, that will serve as motivation for the Sprint Cup series championship leader. Busch had a quiet weekend at Indianapolis, so expect him to make some noise this weekend. Even though Pocono may not be Busch’s best track, never count him out. In his last two visits to Pocono, Busch has scored finishes of twelfth and 43rd.

In seven career starts at Pocono, Kyle Busch has one top five finish, and two top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 20.0.

7. Jeff Gordon: 12-1 nascar odds

As he still searches for his first win of the 2008 Sprint Cup season, Jeff Gordon is putting some distance between himself and the thirteenth place driver in the standings. Gordon is trying to embed himself into the top twelve, and a victory would help that cause. In his last two starts at Pocono, Gordon has posted finishes of fourth and fourteenth.

In thirty-one career starts at Pocono, Gordon has four wins, fifteen top five finishes, and twenty-one top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 10.3.

8. Tony Stewart: 10-1 nascar odds

While Tony Stewart’s 2009 plans continue to fall into place, questions surrounding the rest of 2008 remain, such as ‘will he qualify for the Chase for the Championship’, or ‘will he win a race’. The answer to both of those questions will likely be yes. Stewart was fast at Pocono in June. He is coming off a disappointing race at Indianapolis, so a solid finish would be huge for this team. In his last two races at Pocono, Stewart has finishes of sixth and 35th.

In nineteen career starts at Pocono, Stewart has one victory, five top five finishes, and thirteen top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 13.6.

9. Matt Kenseth: 15-1 nascar odds

Matt Kenseth is coming off a disappointing weekend at Indianapolis after he became a casualty of the tire fiasco. Kenseth and the 17 team have always been resilient, so expect Kenseth enjoy a solid run. Like Stewart and Gordon, Kenseth is a former champion hungry for that first win of 2008. In his previous two races at Pocono, Kenseth has posted finishes of fourteenth and seventh.

In seventeen career starts at Pocono, Kenseth has three top five finishes, and eight top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 14.4.

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

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has finished outside the top ten in four of the last five races, so he hopes to regain some of the momentum he lost. In his past two races at Pocono, Earnhardt, Jr. has posted finishes of second and fourth.

In seventeen career races at Pocono, Earnhardt, Jr. has yet to win, but he has five top five finishes, and six top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 16.5.

Also, keep an eye on Jeff Burton (25-1 nascar odds), Kevin Harvick (25-1 nascar odds), Clint Bowyer (35-1 nascar odds), Mark Martin (25-1 nascar odds), and Brian Vickers (15-1 nascar odds)

Great darkhorse picks include A.J. Allmendinger (100-1 nascar odds), Dave Blaney (100-1 nascar odds), Travis Kvapil (100-1 nascar odds), David Gilliland (100-1 nascar odds), and Terry Labonte (100-1 nascar odds)

Stay away from Tony Raines (125-1 nascar odds), Chad McCumbee (150-1 nascar odds), J.J. Yeley (125-1 nascar odds), Michael McDowell (125-1 nascar odds), and Sam Hornish, Jr. (100-1 nascar odds)

Odds Maker’s Top Ten

1. Jimmie Johnson 11-2 nascar odds
2. Kasey Kahne 11-2 nascar odds
3. Kyle Busch 6-1 nascar odds
4. Carl Edwards 7-1 nascar odds
5. Denny Hamlin 8-1 nascar odds
6. Tony Stewart 10-1 nascar odds
7. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 12-1 nascar odds
8. Jeff Gordon 12-1 nascar odds
9. Greg Biffle 15- 1 nascar odds
10. Matt Kenseth and Brian Vickers 15-1 nascar odds