2010 Kobalt Tools 500 Predictions – Betting Preview + Picks + Odds
Preview: Atlanta is known as a driver’s track because of its high speeds and multi-groove racing surface. Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored the pole Friday and his 192.761 mile-per-hour qualifying lap set a record for the fastest-ever pole lap in a COT. Atlanta is a 1.54-mile quad oval with 24 degrees of banking in the turns, and NASCAR has been racing here since 1960 for a total of 101 Cup races in the books.
Race: Kobalt Tools 500
Date: Sunday, March 7, 2010
Time: 1:16 PM EST (scheduled Green Flag)
TV: 12:00 PM EST on FOX
Goodyear brought a new tire this weekend based on a January tire test which is supposed to provide more grip. Good news: There is no rain in the forecast for the weekend. This is an off-weekend for the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Safe Bets:
1. Jimmie Johnson (3:1): Johnson swept Atlanta in 2007 and also won the fall race in 2004. He has the best average finish among active drivers at AMS at a 10.7 and has won two of the first three races in the 2010 NASCAR Cup season.
2. Jeff Gordon (4:1): Gordon is coming off a dominating performance in Las Vegas last Sunday, where he led over 80% of the laps. His four wins at Atlanta make him the winningest driver here and he has also finished second four times. Gordon is riding a string of five straight top-10 finishes at Atlanta and has the highest points-accumulated total of any driver at AMS in the last five races (both spring and fall dates).
Dark Horse:
1. Ryan Newman (30:1): Although Newman has only one top-five finish in 16 Atlanta poles, he did finish ninth here last fall in only his second Atlanta start with Stewart-Haas Racing. Newman qualified seventh and could have a strong run if can stay up front.
Summary: There are several other drivers who typically run well at Atlanta, including Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kyle Busch has Toyota’s only win here (this race in 2008) and he lines up on the outside pole Sunday. Final practice Saturday should help clarify betting choices. 
Race Date: Sunday, March 7
Location: Atlanta Motor Speedway
City: Hampton, Georgia
Pre-Race: 12:00PM ET
Green Flag: Approx. 1:16PM ET
TV Coverage: FOX
Radio Coverage: MRN
Track Type: Oval (325 laps)
Odds to win 2010 Shelby American Nascar Race
Jimmie Johnson 9/2
Mark Martin 8/1
Jeff Gordon 8/1
Kyle Busch 10/1
Jeff Burton 12/1
Kevin Harvick 12/1
Clint Bowyer 12/1
Kurt Busch 12/1
Greg Biffle 15/1
Carl Edwards 15/1
Tony Stewart 15/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 15/1
Denny Hamlin 15/1
Matt Kenseth 18/1
Kasey Kahne 18/1
Brian Vickers 30/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 30/1
Joey Logano 30/1
Ryan Newman 40/1
David Reutimann 60/1
Martin Truex Jr 60/1
Jamie McMurray 75/1
AJ Allmendinger 100/1
Elliott Sadler 100/1
Paul Menard 100/1
Bobby Labonte 100/1
Regan Smith 100/1
Scott Speed 100/1
Travis Kvapil 100/1
Marcos Ambrose 100/1
Brad Keselowski 100/1
David Ragan 100/1
Sam Hornish Jr 100/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 100/1
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Becca Gladden is a freelance writer and race handicapper specializing in NASCAR.
