Posted on 4/17/2008 1:08:08 PM

Wagering On Racing - NASCAR Betting - Power Rankings

By D.S Williamson

Unfortunately for racing and sports betting enthusiasts NASCAR has the weekend off after racing last Saturday night in Phoenix. Jimmie Johnson ended up winning the Subway Fit 500 last Saturday night. For Jimmie, it was his first win of the year but his fourth top five finishes. It doesn’t appear that Jimmie has lost a step since coming back from last years’ second consecutive Cup victory.

The rest of his team hasn’t been all that impressive. Jeff Gordon has three top five finishes and no victories so far this season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has three top five finishes and no victories so far this season. Casey Mears has one top five finish and no victories so far this season.

The entire Hendrick team still has a chance to make their presence felt during the Chase for the Cup, but it sure would be nice if Dale and Jeff could get things going the way Jimmie has. The Nascar odds on Jimmie are going to drop like crazy the further he solidifies his position as the best driver with the best crew in NASCAR. A third Cup Championship is not out of the realm of possibility for Johnson.

Let’s take a look at the power rankings.

NASCAR Power Rankings - - Great Eight

1. Jimmie Johnson – BetUS odds 5 to 1 - - Usually I would write that it’s too early to bet on a driver at 5 to 1 odds to win the whole thing. Not this week. Jimmie will keep the good times rolling until the last race of the year. Take the 5 to 1 when you can. If Jimmie ends up winning just a few more races, which he most certainly will, then his odds will drop to a paltry 2 to 1.

2. Kyle Busch – BetUS odds 7 to 1 - - Kyle continues to impress. His level of maturity this year is way above what it was last year. Kyle’s crew has been on point in almost every single race this season. I expect Kyle to continue to finish in the Top-Ten with good, strong races. If he continues to make good decisions, he will win more races.

3. Jeff Gordon – BetUS odds 7 to 1 - - Last year Gordon was on fire early and cold late. I hope the fact that he’s sort of been okay early means that he will be on fire late. Jeff is a tremendous driver with a tremendous team. He should get things going. The odds are nice on this guy. Remember that going into the Cup Chase last year, towards the end of the season, the odds on Jeff to win it all were 2 to 1.

4. Tony Stewart – BetUS odds 6 to 1 - - Stewart is still figuring out this Toyota car that Joe Gibbs Racing has got him in. I also think Smoke could do himself a favor and drop a few pounds. The man is starting to look like NASCAR’s version of Marlon Brando. Sorry, Tony. I’m just calling it the way I see it. Lay-off the Krispy Kremes and lower the weight on that ride.

5. Denny Hamlin – BetUS odds 9 to 1 - - Hamlin broke through with a win a couple of weeks ago. That was a great sign that Denny might have matured enough to the point where he’s ready to make a true run for his first Cup victory.

6. Carl Edwards – BetUS odds 5 to 1 - - My only knock against Carl is that his odds are too low for me to bet on him. Johnson has won the Cup two years in a row and he’s offering the same odds as Carl. Kyle, Jeff, Tony and Denny all have legitimate shots. If Carl’s odds rise, then his ranking will rise. He’s not a horrible bet at 5 to 1. I just think there better plays.

7. Clint Bowyer – BetUS odds 20 to 1 - - Bowyer has a chance because he’s an excellent driver. I’m not sure if his car will get him there, but at 20 to 1 he’s still worth a shot in this thing.

8. Martin Truex Jr. – BetUS odds 70 to 1 - - It’s too early in the season not to take 70 to 1 on Truex Jr. He’s got the ability and 70 to 1 is just too enticing not to take a stab. Will he win the Cup? Probably not, but you need to bet on some long-shots in this thing - - just in case.

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