2009 Southern 500 Prediction & Betting Odds
Written May 7, 2009 by Jason Lowry
The NASCAR Sprint Cup series heads to Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina for the 2009 running of the Southern 500. The Race is scheduled for Saturday night, so get ready for an exciting race on Mother’s Day weekend. Last week Kyle Busch got back to the winners circle with his 3rd win of the season at the Crown Royal 400, and it just so happens that Busch is the defending champion at the race this weekend. This racetrack is pretty unique compared to a lot of other tracks this season, as each of the entries into the turns are different in circumference and banking. I think there is a lot to like about the race this weekend, and I think a number of drivers have a shot at winning this race. With the race just a couple days away, here is a look at the 3 drivers I think have the best shot at winning the race this weekend.
Jimmie Johnson +600 to win at Sportsbook.com: Johnson comes into the race currently 6th in the point standings, but I have a pretty good feeling that this guy is going to keep on making his way to the top of the list. Johnson won this race back in 2004, and has one other win on this track in his career, so you know he can win on this racetrack. Johnson has had a couple of bad runs the last couple weeks, and I feel like this guy is due to make another strong showing. Johnson had a string of 4 straight top 5 finishes before his last two starts. Johnson has only finished outside of the top 7 once in his last 6 races at Darlington. If there is one driver you want to go with this weekend, Johnson is your man.
Jeff Gordon +700 to win at Sportsbook.com: I am going with another Hendrick Motor sport driver in Gordon, as this guy has really raced well to start the 2009 season, and just when you thought he was starting to decline a little, he starts driving just like the old times. Gordon won this race in 2007, and that was win number 7 at Darlington, so if past success is what you are looking for, you can’t get any better than this. After a couple not so good starts, Gordon got back to finishing in the top 10 last week at the Crown Royal 400, and that his 7th top ten finish of the season. Gordon is probably the safest play this weekend, and you can pretty much bank on this guy finishing in the top 3. I really like Johnson, but Gordon is going to be right there.
Tony Stewart +1000 to win at Sportsbook.com: Stewart continues to race well to start the season, as he finished 2nd for the 3rd time in 3 races last week at the Crown Royal 400. Stewart actually has four top 5 finishes in his last five starts. The only reason I don’t have Stewart farther up on this list, is he just hasn’t been able to come through with the checkered flag. A big concern is Stewart has not won at Darlington, but I am a firm believer in there is a first time for everything, and this could very well be the week for Stewart to break out of his winning slump. Things will likely have to go just right for that to happen, but a top 5 finish is a pretty good bet for Stewart.
For those of you looking for a complete list of the driver’s odds this weekend, head to Sportsbook.com.
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