2009 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Wednesday Feb 4 2009 12:09pm

The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season officially begins on February 15 with the 51st running of the Daytona 500. Most of the preseason previews have been released, and bettors are geared up for another NASCAR season.

My projected twelve championship chasers along with their preseason championship odds are listed below.

1. 99-Carl Edwards: 4-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Carl Edwards led the Sprint Cup Series in victories with nine, and ended the season by winning three of the final four races (Atlanta, Texas, and Homestead). He is going to be difficult to overcome in 2009, as he displayed no signs of decelerating. If any driver is going to unseat the three-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, it is going to be Edwards.

2008 results- 9 wins, 19 top fives, 27 top tens
2009 projection- 6 wins, 17 top fives, 26 top tens

2. 18-Kyle Busch: 9-2 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

If the Sprint Cup season were 26 races long, Kyle Busch would have made a mockery of the 2008 season. Unfortunately, Busch stumbled throughout the championship chase; however, his 2008 season will go down a one of the most memorable this decade. He won twenty-one total races combined in all three of NASCAR’s premier divisions. Busch will unlikely win as frequently as he did in 2008, and he may not be as consistent as Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson, but he is a solid championship favorite.

2008 results- 8 wins, 17 top fives, 21 top tens
2009 projection- 5 wins, 14 top fives, 22 top tens

3. 48-Jimmie Johnson: 3-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

It is a surprise to no one that Jimmie Johnson is once again the odds-on favorite to win another Sprint Cup title. After conquering the once-perceived impossible three-peat, Johnson will attempt to quadruple his pleasure. The Hendrick Motorsports driver will return in 2009 with essentially the same group that has led him to three championships in NASCAR’s upper echelon of competition. Winning his fourth title will not come easy, at least not as easy as the previous three appeared. Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and a cast of ambitious drivers are gunning for Johnson.

2008 results- 7 wins, 15 top fives, 22 top tens
2009 projection- 4 wins, 15 top fives, 21top tens

4. 16-Greg Biffle: 8-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

After two disappointing seasons in 2006 and 2007, Greg Biffle was not listed among the championship favorites heading into the 2008 season. Well, that changed almost instantaneously, as Biffle came out of the gate strong. He opened the Chase for the Championship with consecutive wins, and remained within striking distance of Jimmie Johnson for the better part of the ten races. Historically, Biffle does not produce two successive stellar seasons, but expect that to change. He is more experienced, and proved that he can exercise patience in certain situations.

2008 results- 2 wins, 12 top fives, 17 top tens
2009 projection- 3 wins, 12 top fives, 19 top tens

5. 24-Jeff Gordon: 10-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Despite the winless season, Jeff Gordon’s season was not all that disappointing. It just was not what we have come to expect from the four-time champion. With the exception of Jimmie Johnson, none of the Hendrick Motorsports teams were able to equal their ascendancy in 2007. Gordon will likely break his winless skid by April, and do not be surprised if he emerges as a championship threat once the fall months arrive.

2008 results- 0 wins, 13 top fives, 19 top tens
2009 projection- 3 wins, 11 top fives, 21 top tens

6. 29-Kevin Harvick: 20-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Like Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick did not win, but enjoyed a respectable season. However, respectable does not win championships. Entering the final year of his contract with Richard Childress Racing, Harvick should have supplementary motivation. Harvick may not be a solid championship favorite at the moment, but it is unlikely that he will encounter another winless campaign.

2008 results- 0 wins, 7 top fives, 19 top tens
2009 results- 1 win, 8 top fives, 20 top tens

7. 17-Matt Kenseth: 12-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Matt Kenseth is still a perennial championship contender despite his winless season in 2008. He will have to adapt to a new crew chief in 2009, as Drew Blickensderfer takes over for Chip Bolin. Kenseth and the new chief worked together in the Nationwide Series in 2007. Look for Kenseth to quickly dispose of the doughnut in the win column, and perhaps contend for the title. He is one of the most consistent drivers in NASCAR.

2008 results- 0 wins, 9 top fives, 20 top tens
2009 projection- 1 win, 7 top fives, 19 top tens

8. 88-Dale Earnhardt Jr: 13-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

After a formidable start to the 2008 season, Dale Earnhardt Jr faded around mid-summer, and never seemed to fully recover. While many cynics claimed that Earnhardt Jr’s opening season with Hendrick Motorsports was a bitter disappointment, he won a race and qualified for the Chase for the Championship. Overall, it was not the season Earnhardt Jr fans preferred, but it was not a bitter disappointment by any means. He should improve in his second season with Hendrick Motorsports.

2008 results- 1 win, 10 top fives, and 16 top tens
2009 projection- 2 wins, 10 top fives, 19 top tens

9. 31-Jeff Burton: 20-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Jeff Burton is NASCAR’s veteran leader, and an annual championship contender. Unfortunately, he has fallen short in his bids to capture his first Sprint Cup title. In 2009, Burton and Richard Childress Racing must find some speed on the intermediate tracks if they have any hope of dethroning Jimmie Johnson.

2008 results- 2 wins, 7 top fives, 18 top tens
2009 projection- 1 win, 6 top fives, 16 top tens

10. 11-Denny Hamlin: 15-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Denny Hamlin failed to improve for the third consecutive season. After a stellar rookie campaign in 2006, he has maintained, but has not materialized into a serious championship threat. Hamlin is a master on the short and flat tracks, but in order to keep up with Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards, he will need to improve on the 1.5-mile and 2-mile venues.

2008 results- 1 win, 12 top fives, 18 top tens
2009 projection- 1 win, 9 top fives, 17 top tens

11. 5-Mark Martin: 20-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Mark Martin aligns with Hendrick Motorsports in his return to Sprint Cup as a full-time competitor. After two partial seasons, Martin still feels as if he can legitimately vie for the championship versus drivers in the twenties and thirties. Martin was unable to win a title as the flagship driver at Roush Fenway Racing, and it is doubtful that he will win it as the fourth driver at Hendrick Motorsprots. Nevertheless, expect him to qualify for the Chase for the Championship.

2008 results- 0 win, 4 top fives, 11 top tens
2009 results- 1 win, 8 top fives, 18 top tens

12. 2-Kurt Busch: 45-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Kurt Busch and the Penske Racing are relieved that the new season is upon us following an inferior 2008 season. Busch won a race at New Hampshire, but it was only because he was leading when the skies released the deluge of rain. Busch and the No. 2 team began to display some progress throughout the last month of the season. If a Dodge team qualifies for the Chase for the Championship, Kurt Busch is the likely representative.

2008 results- 1 win, 5 top fives, 10 top tens
2009 projection- 1 win, 8 top fives, 16 top tens

Odds makers top twelve

1. Jimmie Johnson 3-1 odds
2. Carl Edwards: 4-1 odds
3. Kyle Busch: 9-2 odds
4. Greg Biffle: 8-1 odds
5. Jeff Gordon: 8-1 odds
6. Matt Kenseth 12-1 odds
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr 13-1 odds
8. Denny Hamlin 15-1 odds
9. Kevin Harvick: 20-1 odds
10. Jeff Burton: 20-1 odds
11. Mark Martin 20-1 odds
12. David Ragan 20-1 odds

Other notable drivers: Tony Stewart (25-1 odds), Clint Bowyer (25-1 odds), Kasey Kahne (40-1 odds), Joey Logano (40-1 odds), Martin Truex Jr (60-1 odds), Ryan Newman (100-1 odds), and Juan Pablo Montoya (125-1 odds)

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User	Comment
RaceFan88	It wasn`t surprising to me that Dale Earnhardt Jr.`s first season with Hendrick wasn`t as successful as one might have hoped. There`s always "growing pains" with such a major change as what he and the team went through going from DEI to Hendrick. His winning projection isn`t far behind that of Jeff Gordan so once he starts winning, I expect to see the odds greatly improve. He definitely has the talent and potential to win a championship. Go Dale!
Daniel Wallace	Its too early to be making these kinds of forecasts with any home of accuracy. And considering how Nascar has changed things this year it makes it even harder to get a grip on what it going to happen in the end.
goJJgo	Well, my allegiance hasn`t changed any since last season so I always root for Jimmie in any race that he`s in. I wouldn`t mind seeing the new kid, Joey Logano, put in a good show in the 500, also.
Lucy	Great to see someone predicting Jeff Gordon to win 3 times. Yes, I admit it was a disappointing season but overall, he wasn`t too bad also. He has got a point to prove this season.
roadrunner	I must admit that I wouldn`t mind Jimmie Johnson breaking a record by winning the cup again but I wouldn`t mind seeing a bit more real competition this year.
Elgar	It made me wonder if people forgot how to drive. Don`t get me wrong or anything I know its not easy, but after this past week it seems like people forget what their jobs were with this one.
martyS	Really hoping for a more exciting season this year. Last season just was not very entertaining as it became so very predictable. Can`t wait for the race this weekend!
Mink	2008 was a disappointing year for Kevin as he ended the season without winning a single event. Glad to see you predicted 1 win, at least, this year. I hope your prediction turns out to be true !
Rac3r	Hoping this season to be more interesting than last one, I hope Kyle Busch all the best and don`t want the same Jimmie to win again ;) I hope someone else does.. Waiting for the 15th of Feb !
Harold Mayes	Well this season is looking to be an interesting one. Many crashes in the first race made for an exciting race...even if it looked rather dangerous. This first race shook up the odds some that is for sure.
FunDriv3	Kyle Busch must be an eager challenger. Looks like he`s on the road to the top trying to make his way past Edwards and the undefeatable JJ.
Cal	A friends birthday is that day and he really wanted to go watch the race, that would be a great gift but its not going to happen since he is in Iraq. I decided I am going to tape it and mail it over to him for a nice gift. Quite excited to see how this se
MasterModder	I honestly think its to early to start posting odds. right now we only have preliminary information on the route that Nascar is going to take this year considering issues with the economy and a decrease in consumer spending.
TeslaHopeful	I disagree that Edwards is the only one who can unseat Jimmy Johnson from this championship run. Things are changing in Nascar every year and rules one year that favor one lucky team or another get changed the next. I`m adopting a wait and see attitude be
maddox8	It`s all about sportmanship in NASCAR racing. At least the said top chasers doesn`t engage in any feud with one of their fellow competitors in the racetrack.
navigator07	Looks like Busch, Edwards, and other top drivers mentioned were trying to obtain the championship title from JJ. They need to become skilled drivers enough to defeat JJ in the racing championship.
the_champ	I wonder if Juan Pablo Montoya can make it to the top just like JJ did in his past winnings. Seems like a few months of practice is needed for him to become a skilled NASCAR racer.
spinout	I really think Jimmie has a great chance at taking the cup and breaking the record. I don`t think it will be so easy for him this season, though. Too many drivers with something to prove to themselves and their fans.