2010 Auto Club 500 Predictions
Written by Jason Lowry
The 2010 Sprint Cup Series got off to a bit of a shaky start last week at Daytona, as the race suffered two long delays thanks to a couple potholes. One guy that isn’t complaining is Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray, who captured his fourth career sprint cup win, and the second at Daytona International Speedway.
Drivers now must get ready for the second race of the season, as the Sprint Cup Series heads out west for the 2010 Auto Club 500. This will be the first of two races that take place at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. To help you get going on the race this weekend, here is a look at the three drivers I feel have a great shot at taking home the checkered flag.
Matt Kenseth: Without question Matt Kenseth has owned this race of late, winning three of the past four starts here at the Auto Club 500, including an impressive win to back up his Daytona 500 win a year ago. In 16 career starts at Auto Club Speedway Kenseth has finished outside of the top 10 just five times, and only once since 2006. The starting position doesn’t seem to be much of a factor either for Kenseth, as he has started in the top 10 just twice in his career on this track. If you are looking for someone that figures to be right there with a chance to win at the end, Kenseth is a great pick this weekend.
Jimmie Johnson: Here is another guy that has had a lot of success at this racetrack, though Johnson has done more damage at the Pepsi 500 (Race No.2 at Auto Club Speedway), a race he has won the past three seasons. Johnsons only win at the Auto Club 500 came back in 2002, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t performed well at this event. Before finishing 9th in 2009 at this event, Johnson had a streak of five straight finishes of third or better. There is no question that Johnson will be a big time favorite to win this weekend, and it’s very likely he will do just that.
Jeff Gordon: We stick with Hendrick Motor Sports for our final pick for this weeks race. Gordon was as good as you could be at this track in 2009 without capturing a win, as he took home second in both events held at this track. Gordon has 10 career top five finishes at Auto Club Speedway, including three wins. Gordon last won on this track back in 2004, taking home the checkered flag at the Auto Club 500. Gordon didn’t have a great showing at the Daytona 500 last week, finishing 26th, but I really look for a big bounce back from one of the greatest drivers to ever step foot in a race car this weekend.
So there you have it my three favorites to come away with a win this weekend. While I like all three of these drivers about the same, if I had to pick only one guy to win this weekend, it would be none other than Jimmie Johnson. If you are interested in the odds for each driver, head over to BetUS now. Also, now is the perfect time to take advantage of their amazing $500 match bonus.
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