Tony Stewart lacks All Star win

Lowe's Motor Speedway Charlotte -- 05/16/2009

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Thursday May 14 2009 9:31am

Last weekend at Darlington was eventful to say the least. The fifty year old Mark Martin won the 2009 Southern 500, but his win was overshadowed by the news of Jeremy Mayfield’s indefinite suspension from NASCAR following a failed drug test at Richmond the previous weekend.

This weekend, the All Stars take center stage, as the best of the best compete for money and bragging rights; no championship points involved. Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, and Dale Earnhardt are a few of the contenders that already own All-Star trophies. Nevertheless, drivers such as Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, and Kyle Busch are chasing their first All-Star victory.

1. Tony Stewart: 9-1 odds

Tony Stewart has accomplished so much in his impressive Sprint Cup career that began in 1999. However, there are a few crown jewels that he lacks, such as the Daytona 500, Coca Cola 600, and the Southern 500. Included in his wish list is the Sprint Cup All Star extravaganza. This type of race suits Stewart’s driving style perfectly, so it is rather surprising that he has yet to conquer this race. This could be the year, as Stewart is running as good as he ever has at this stage in the season.

In his last three All-Star starts, Stewart has placed finishes of twelfth, fifth, and fifth. Stewart has never won this race.

2. Kyle Busch: 6-1 odds

For Kyle Busch in the All-Star race it is checkers or wreckers. Thus far in his career, it has been all wreckers, as he has yet to finish an All-Star race. Last year, he was dominating when his engine expired. This year, he is an odds-on favorite.

In his last three All-Star starts, Kyle Busch has placed finishes of sixteenth, twentieth, and twenty-fourth. He has yet to win an All-Star event.

3. Jimmie Johnson: 6-1 odds

Jimmie Johnson won this race in 2003 and 2006. He nearly won this race in 2007. Whenever the Sprint Cup Series races at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, you might as well expect Johnson to be a frontrunner. He is the odds-on favorite to win the race.

In his last three All-Star starts, Johnson has posted finishes of first, second, and fourth. Johnson is a two-time winner of this race.

4. Greg Biffle: 10-1 odds

Greg Biffle finished second in this race a year ago. His car faded in the closing laps. Biffle is one of the more aggressive drivers in the garage, yet he is a seasoned veteran, so this type of format suits The Biff. Expect him to be a player in the final ten lap shootout.

In his last three All-Star starts, Biffle has scored finishes of thirteenth, fifteenth, and second.

5. Jeff Gordon: 7-1 odds

Jeff Gordon won this race in 1995, 1997, and 2001. His three wins in the All-Star race ties him with Dale Earnhardt for the most wins in the All Star race. Like Biffle and Stewart, Gordon is a seasoned veteran who knows his way around the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. At the same time, he will do whatever it takes to win.

In his last three All-Star starts, Jeff Gordon has placed finishes of third, eleventh, and fifteenth.

6. Mark Martin: 9-1 odds

Mark Martin is a two-time winner of the All-Star race, with his wins coming in 1998 and 2005. Martin is red-hot heading into this year’s event, as he recently won races at Phoenix and Darlington.

In his last three All-Star starts, Martin has posted finishes of fifteenth, third, and ninth.

7. Carl Edwards: 12-1 odds

It has not been the season Carl Edwards anticipated, as he sits twelfth in the championship standings, but he can turn it all around with an All-Star victory this weekend.

In his last three All-Star starts, Edwards has posted finishes of fifteenth, fourth, and tenth.

8. Kurt Busch: 8-1 odds

Kurt Busch is still searching for his first win in the All-Star race.

In his last three All-Star starts, Kurt Busch has posted finishes of twentieth, nineteenth, and twenty-second.

9. Matt Kenseth: 12-1 odds

Matt Kenseth won this race in 2004 with a late-race pass on Ryan Newman. Kenseth hopes to become the eighth multi-winner in the All-Star event.

In his last three All-Star starts, Kenseth has scored finishes of eleventh, seventh, and third.

10. Ryan Newman: 16-1 odds

As a rookie in 2002, Ryan Newman raced his way into the All-Star race, and then won the All-Star by holding off a hard charging Dale Earnhardt Jr. Newman is one of the hottest drivers in the Sprint Cup paddock.

In his last three All-Star appearances, Newman has placed finishes of fifth, eighth, and sixth.

Also, keep an eye on Kasey Kahne (10-1 odds), Denny Hamlin (12-1 odds), Dale Earnhardt Jr (14-1 odds), Jeff Burton (20-1 odds), and Kevin Harvick (20-1 odds)

Great dark horse picks include Brad Keselowski (33-1 odds), Bobby Labonte (33-1 odds) and Clint Bowyer (28-1 odds)

All Star Open

1. David Reutimann

He is fast every week against the All-Stars, imagine what he can do without them on the track. Expect him to advance.

2. Martin Truex Jr

Based on recent performances, Martin Truex Jr is vastly improving. Expect him to advance to the All-Star race.

3. Jamie McMurray

Jamie McMurray is another driver that could position himself to race in the All-Star race.

4. Brian Vickers

Brian Vickers has been hit or miss this season. Lowe’s Motor Speedway is one of his better tracks, so he could be one to watch.

5. David Ragan

David Ragan is struggling right now, so he is a long-shot.

6. Joey Logano

Joey Logano may be a player if he has the track position. If not, he may force the issue and get himself into trouble.

7. Juan Pablo Montoya

Juan Pablo Montoya will be fast, but probably not fast enough.

8. Sam Hornish Jr

Last year, Sam Hornish Jr advanced after finishing second in this race. Do not be surprised if he duplicates that performance.

9. A.J. Allmendinger

The defending winner of this race hopes to double his pleasure. Track position will be crucial.

10. David Stremme

David Stremme has not produced the results that match his recent performances. He could be one to watch this weekend.

Also, keep an eye on Marcos Ambrose, Elliott Sadler, Reed Sorenson, Paul Menard, and Michael Waltrip

Racing their way in will be David Reutimann and Martin Truex Jr

Predicted to be voted in- Bill Elliott

Odds maker’s top ten

1. Jimmie Johnson 6-1 odds
2. Kyle Busch 6-1 odds
3. Jeff Gordon 7-1 odds
4. Kurt Busch 8-1 odds
5. Tony Stewart 9-1 odds
6. Mark Martin 9-1 odds
7. Greg Biffle 10-1 odds
8. Kasey Kahne 10-1 odds
9. Denny Hamlin 12-1 odds
10. Carl Edwards 12-1 odds

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