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Ford 400 Gambling Preview

The NASCAR sports betting community anxiously awaits Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, which concludes the Chase for the Sprint Cup and the 2008 online NASCAR wagering campaign…

NASCAR Betting Online – Chasing History, Ford 400 Selections

The NASCAR sports betting community anxiously awaits Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, which concludes the Chase for the Sprint Cup and the 2008 online NASCAR wagering campaign, as Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports looks to become a dynasty with a back-to-back-to-back championship runs. NASCAR betting nation is well aware Johnson’s one race from possibly joining Cale Yarborough as the sports only other three-peat champion.

NASCAR was formed in 1948 and Yarborough is still currently the only three-peat champion, but if Johnson can become just the second driver to complete the unprecedented feat, it should be appreciated as one of the greatest accomplishments in sport’s history. Throughout year’s past, NASCAR has been a peon compared to North America’s ”big four”, especially among gamblers. But as NASCAR’s popularity has flourished, a Johnson three-peat will be much more valued and recognized.

While we countdown to green, and before getting to Sunday’s Ford 400 selections, let’s reflect back to some of the greatest feats in 60 years of NASCAR racing. Starting with “The King”, Richard Petty, who won the Cup title a record seven times, tied with the late Dale Earnhardt for most championships. Earnhardt Sr. from 1986 to 1994 won 6 of his 7 Cup titles in 9 years, which included 48 wins in 264 starts.

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From 1966 to 1969 the late David Pearson won three championships in a four year period, including 44 wins in 163 starts during the span. Darrell Waltrip won 3 driving titles from 1981 to 1985, including back-to-back titles in 1981 and 1982 and accomplished 27 wins in 89 starts. Until Johnson’s attempt on Sunday, Pearson and Waltrip are the two drivers that’s came the closest to equaling Yarborough’s record. For those wondering, Yarborough pulled off the three-peat from 1976 to 1978, manufactured by 28 wins in 90 starts during the span.

Jeff Gordon from 1995 to 2008 won four championships. In Gordon’s 16 years of racing in the top-series, he has earned 81 career wins in 544 starts. He’s sixth on the all-time win list. Petty leads the list with 200 career victories, which will never be broken because during his era there were multiple races ran in a week. Petty is followed by Pearson (105), Bobby Allison (84), Waltrip (84) and Yarborough (83).

All feats deserving of being scripted in NASCAR’s history books. On Sunday, chances are we’ll see another chapter added. To stand beside Yarborough, all Johnson needs to do at Homestead is finish 36th or better, lead a lap and finish 37th or higher or lead the most laps and finish with a 38th-place run or better. Sports betting online fanatics of all sorts and loyal novice of Sprint Cup racing will tune in with hopes of witnessing a piece of history, as will the NASCAR wagering family for the same reason, which brings us to the season’s finale betting selection.

Expect Johnson to run a conservative race and finish around mid-pack. He’ll be playing it safe but BetUS NASCAR odds have him second co-favorite to win priced at +500. He’s by far the class of the field, and the man chasing history, but it’s hard to image Johnson racing balls out to earn a win, risking his shot at a three-peat when all he needs is a top-36 run. In my opinion that makes him a bad investment.

 

The only driver with a remote chance at spoiling Johnson’s day and raising the Cup is Carl Edwards who’s 141 points behind No. 48. In order for Edwards to have his prayers answered with a miracle delivered from the racing gods, he needs to be the Ford 400 winner with most laps led, combined with a 40th-place run or worse from Johnson. That’s a lot to ask, even of the racing gods.

Though, there’s no disputing Cousin Carl is the king on 1.5 mile tracks, and it’s a lock he’ll drive the wheels off his No. 99 Ford to do his part by finding Victory Lane, which oddsmakers are giving him the utmost respect to do. Edwards is the biggest BetUS favorite to win a Sprint Cup race this season priced at +200. He’ll be there at the end barring a mishap but his invaluable odds makes him not worth the risk, especially considering Edwards has no wins at Homestead.

Greg Biffle’s series-best three wins at Homestead will make him a popular selection for those who bet on NASCAR. And with solid online sports betting value priced at +500, as second co-favorite with Johnson, Bif backers have a legitimate chance to cash. But there’s a stronger choice that features far higher value. And being the last race of the season, let’s go for a big payday while Johnson goes for history. Why not? Value is the name of the game, right?

Now that I’ve thrown out the Big Three and top favorites, who am I riding with in hopes of a season finale winning ticket that would include a large return? Gordon! That’s right, the driver needing a win at Homestead on Sunday to avoid a winless season for the first time since his 1993 rookie year. A vast majority of NASCAR nation has already accepted Gordon will not take the checkers in 2008. And with one race remaining, it’s hard to argue that.

However, let’s not forget that Gordon finished out of the top-10 only three times during the Chase. The No. 24 has not won four championships and 81 career wins by accident. With nothing to lose this is a go-for-broke race for Gordon. Incase Edwards dominates as being stoutly predicted by oddsmakers, it’s a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the betting option to finish in the top-2 or top-3. Gordon is listed at +1500 to win, +850 at a top-2 and +400 for a top-3 run.

Free NASCAR Picks:

 Jeff Gordon +1500 to win, +850 for a top-2 and +400 for a top-3. I’m placing a lesser amount to win and risking more on the top-2 and top-3 wagers. Another approach to take, using simple logic Johnson only needs a top-36 finish, checkout the head-to-head matchups and fade Johnson in any pairings he’s involved in.

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"