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2015 NASCAR STP 500 Lines + Preview & Sprint Cup Prediction

NASCAR 2015 Sprint Cup Futures

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series returns from an early West Coast swing with the running of this Sunday’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. The race is set to get underway at 1 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on FOX Sports.

NASCAR Sprint Cup STP 500 Preview and Prediction

Race: STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2015        
Time: 1 p.m. (ET)                              
Broadcast: FOX Sports
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2015 NASCAR SPRINT CUP STANDINGS (Link)

Brad Keselowski made his way to Victory Lane for the first time this season with last Sunday’s win at Fontana, but the big story remains defending champ Kevin Harvick, who stayed white-hot by taking second. Kurt Busch started from the pole in that race and ended-up third.

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Turning to this Sunday afternoon’s race, the following are my top picks for favorite, contender and longshot based on current betting odds as provided by Bovada.

The Favorite (odd of less than 10/1)

Bettors often stick with a hot hand and that is exactly what I am doing this week with a play on Kevin Harvick as a 9/2 second-favorite to win for the third time this season.

Going back to the last three Sprint Cup races last season, the No. 4 car has now finished either first or second in eight-straight point-race events.

This amazing run includes four victories with back-to-back checkered flags this season at Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Harvick’s recent performance at Martinsville does not do anything to enhance his odds with five finishes outside the top five in his last six races, but he did win here in 2011.

The Contender (odds from 10/1 to 19/1)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. backed-up his popularity with NASCAR fans with four victories last season and so far in 2015 he has placed in the top five three times followed by a solid sixth-place finish in last Sunday’s race.

I really like the No. 88 car’s chances to get its first victory of the season this Sunday as my top contender at 10/1 odds.

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The fact that Dale Jr. finished third in last year’s race only to follow that up with a victory in the second event at Martinsville in 2014 only adds even more value to these odds. He has made his way to a top-10 finish in seven of his last nine Sprint Cup races at this track.

The Longshot (odds 20/1 or greater)

Going down this week’s list I decided to take a flyer on Martin Truex Jr. as my top longshot this week.

He is listed at 33/1 odds to capture his first checkered flag since the 2013 season, but the No. 78 car’s current form this season easily justifies this very speculative play.

This team has been in the mix all season long with a second-place finish at Las Vegas to go along with four additional runs inside the top 10.

One of the reasons that Truex is so far down the list for this week’s betting odds is his five straight finishes outside the top 15 in his last five Sprint Cup races at this track.

*SPRINT Cup Odds provided by Bovada (Click Here now – Open A free Nascar betting account today!)

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By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.