Posted on 4/9/2008 3:08:35 PM

NASCAR Betting - Racing Power Rankings

By D.S Williamson

The one thing that stands out so far this NASCAR betting season is how badly Hendrick drivers are performing compared to both Joe Gibbs and Roush drivers. After six races, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon haven’t won a race. All three have finished second in a race, but not a single one of them has actually won a race. The fourth member of their team, Casey Mears, is ranked 26th in the standings.

NASCAR has the longest season of any major sport. So it’s not yet time for Hendrick to panic, but Gordon, their undisputed stud, is coming off of a year where he looked unbeatable going into the last 10 races of the season. Johnson, of course, is coming off of his second straight Cup victory, but Earnhardt Jr. has changed teams.

Who left Hendrick Motorsports to make room for Jr.? Why Kyle Busch who now drives for Joe Gibbs. Busch has been fantastic with 4 top 5 finishes in 6 races. He also has one win. Even though Jeff Burton is leading the Sprint Cup point standings, Carl Edwards has been the real hero early this season. Edwards, who drives for Roush Fenway Racing, has 3 top ten finishes out of six races. Edwards won all of those races. That makes Edwards 3 out of 6 so far this NASCAR season.

Let’s get to the rankings.

NASCAR Power Rankings

1. Carl Edwards - - BetUS odds 9/2 - - Low odds for so early in the season, but I doubt Edwards will slow down much. He’s got the attitude - - telling NASCAR to “f” themselves after they penalized him without merit - - and he’s got the car. Mr. Roush has gone on record saying that he’s going to take a stab at winning the Cup this year. Edwards is his best driver.

2. Kyle Busch - - BetUS odds 6 to 1 - - The odds aren’t bad on the young fella. What’s different about Kyle this year is his ability to calm himself down in a pinch. If he keeps it going, he should be there in the end.

3. Tony Stewart - - BetUS odds 13 to 2 - - I like Smoke’s odds at this point in the season. He will certainly start winning some races and nobody throws down like Tony the Tiger.

4. Matt Kenseth - - BetUS odds 10 to 1 - - Another Roush driver who figures to improve as the races continue. He has the guts, no doubt, and should start putting away some wins. By the time the real chase starts, Kenseth should be in the top 12 which means he will have a shot at the title.

5. Jimmie Johnson - - BetUS odds 6 to 1 - - Jimmie will make the chase. Jimmie will make a run towards the victory. It’s written in stone after two straight Cup wins.

6. Jeff Gordon - - BetUS odds 13 to 2 - - Maybe Gordon gets hot later in the year. After all, he was hot early last year and then threw in the towel when it counted most. I still have faith in Jeff, and the odds are right, but he’s got to find that fire that used to burn inside of him.

7. Kevin Harvick - - BetUS odds 20 to 1 - - Harvick has what it takes to win the Cup. He just needs to keep his car in good shape and forget about everything except for the fact that he’s a good driver. The races will start coming to this guy.

8. Martin Truex Jr. - - BetUS odds 70 to 1 - - He has time to make the Chase. Let’s hoping he does because like Harvick this guy is too good of a driver to race his entire career without a Cup victory.

Left off the Top Eight

Dale Earnhardt Jr. - - BetUS odds 5 to 1 - - Odds are too low on Jr. at this point. He’s driving okay, but he just doesn’t have what it takes I think. Also, his team is loaded.

Clint Boyer - - BetUS odds 20 to 1 - - Eventually this guy is going to make my Great Eight. But right now, I want to take advantage of the BetUS odds on Martin Truex Jr.

Jeff Burton - - BetUS odds 12 to 1 - - Sure, he leads the Cup standings at this point in the season, but I don’t see Burton keeping it up.

Denny Hamlin - - BetUS odds 12 to 1 - - A tough competitor with a lot of upside. Both Smoke and Kyle Busch are in my Great Eight. Is there room for yet another Joe Gibbs racer?

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