posted April 29, 2009 at 12:30 EST in NASCAR Free Picks
NASCAR'S Russ Friedman 400 - Short Track Racing from Richmond
by Robby Maddux
Betting NASCAR Online - Saturday Night Specials
A vast majority of the online NASCAR betting community is still licking their wounds after a wild afternoon at Talladega last week, which was won by an unlikely source in the likes of 25-year-old rookie Brad Keselowski, who scored his first Sprint Cup victory. Go ahead and ask, Brad who? If you bet on NASCAR, you're most likely grateful the next event is Saturday evening at Richmond International Raceway, which has been far more sports betting friendly compared to the monstrous 2.66-miles Talladega.
The 0.75-mile tri-oval in Richmond has been one of the more predictable tracks over the years, providing NASCAR wagering fans a solid opportunity to select the race winner in the Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400, starting at 7:40pm EST on FOX. There's several drivers that have a great shot at finding Richmond's Victory Lane on Saturday night. Here's my top-three ''Saturday Night Specials'' worth investing in, as we enjoy short-track racing at its finest under the lights.
Last season, this event was the scene of one of the most memorable races moments in 2008, starting with Denny Hamlin leading an incredible 381 laps. He was clearly the man to beat, however, a flat tire following the final stop ended his shot at victory in front of his home state fans.
The Hamlin mishap gave fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. a commanding lead over second-place Kyle Busch, as he seemed well on his way to taking the checkers to end a two-year losing streak. But a late caution allowed Busch to get back on Jr.'s bumper. When racing resumed, Busch dove underneath the No. 88 several times, and the two made contact with three laps to go, sending Jr. spinning into the wall. The contact allowed Clint Bowyer to sneak by both drivers and steal the win. While Bowyer earned the victory, Busch earned status of NASCAR's newest hated driver that still stands.
Like any short track, drivers occasionally put the bumper to each other at Richmond, demonstrating the ''bump-and-run'' maneuver. Tempers often flare and patience can run out quickly, but rubbing is racing on all the short track venues. A driver that excels on short tracks is Tony Stewart, who got his start on short dirt tracks as an open-wheel race. So Stewart knows how to handle Richmond and any driver in his way.
Stewart has posted eye-popping numbers at Richmond as well. He is a three-time track winner, and has four straight finishes of eighth or better, including three straight top-fives. Stewart has finished second in two of the past three races at Richmond International Raceway. He also owns eight top-fives and 14 top-ten finishes there in 20 career starts.
In his inaugural 2009 season as owner/driver of Stewart-Haas Racing, through nine races he's already earned two second-place finishes that has him fourth in points. He's inches from his first win. Richmond was the site of Stewart's first Cup victory, how fitting would it be that one of NASCAR's most popular stars gets his first win as an owner/driver there as well? With a sharp 10.4 average of finish there, it shouldn't be a surprise if he does it carrying BetUS NASCAR odds of +700.
There's two other drivers that'll be on the track Saturday looking for their fourth Richmond victory, Hendrick teammates Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson. As the most overrated driver in the history of NASCAR, I wouldn't invest in Jr. even if he was the only driver in a one-car field. Oddsmakers pretty much agree, disrespecting him and his three Richmond wins by pricing him with odds of +2000 to win on Saturday. As for Johnson, he's the odds on favorite to take his fourth checkered flag at Richmond, but at +450 there's better sports betting value with equal shots at winning.
With Stewart being my top-pick, I'm rounding out my three selections with Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Hamlin both priced at +600. Although he's never found Victory Lane at Richmond, Busch has come close enough to smell it, including being passed on the final lap in this race in 2008. He owns the best average of finish there of 6.8 among all active drivers. In nine starts this season, he's earned six top-fives, which includes three runner-up finishes.
Hamlin owns Richmond's second-best average of finish at 8.8 among active driver and has also come very close to winning this season. He had the dominating car in this race last year before enduring a huge disappointment of a flat tire. Prior to that event, he has finished second or third on three other occasions at Richmond. In 2009, he's posted two top-fives, including back-to-back seconds, and four top-ten finishes.
Free NASCAR Picks: Tony Stewart +700, Kyle Busch and-or Denny Hamlin +600 (Win)
