2011 Brickyard 400 Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
After a week off the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series gears up for one of the biggest races of the regular season, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Adding to the importance of this race is the fact that there are just seven races left in regular season. This is the time of year where drivers have to turn it on if they want to secure a spot in the Chase for the Cup.
While Jamie McMurray brought home the checkered flag at the 2010 Brickyard 400, this race has been dominated by the No. 48 car of Jimmie Johnson of late. Johnson has won here three out of the last five years, including back-to-back wins in 2008 and 2009. Two other drivers to keep your eye on this week are Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. Gordon hasn’t won here since 2004, but has four career wins at this event, including the inaugural race back in 1994. Stewart is the only other driver to with multiple wins on this track, cashing in victories in 2005 and 2007.
For those of you who are thinking about betting on the race this weekend or just want to see who has a good shot of winning, here is a look at the three drivers I feel have the best shot at making their way to victory lane.
Jimmie Johnson (+600) - This is the time of the season where Johnson always seems to turn it on, and I have already mentioned how well he has performed at Indianapolis over the last five years. He comes into the race with three top seven finishes in his last four starts this season, and you simply won’t find a better driver to put your money on this week. Some might be scared of laying down money on Johnson after finishing 22nd at this event last year, but I will bet the house that he doesn’t finish outside of the top five this week. If you want a driver that is going to be there with a chance to win late, Johnson is the guy to go to.
Tony Stewart (+1000) – Not only does Stewart have a great track record at this event, but he comes into the race this week desperately needing a win. He is currently sitting tied for 10th in the points standings with Denny Hamlin. With no wins in 2011, Stewart would be out of the Chase if it were to start this week. I look for Stewart to give it everything he has, and at +1000 you are getting him at a very reasonable price.
Kevin Harvick (+1000) – Keeping with the trend of drivers that have succeeded at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, my final pick to win this week is 2003 Brickyard 400 winner Kevin Harvick. While Harvick sits safely in 4th place in the point standings, just 15 points behind Carl Edwards (leader), you have to believe he really wants to join the likes of Gordon, Johnson, and Stewart as the only drivers to win more than once at this event. Harvick has struggled of late with back-t0-back finishes outside of the top 15, but he has three wins on the season and 10 top 10 finishes. The value is definitely there at +1000, so if you aren’t sold on either Johnson or Stewart, take a shot on the No. 29 car this week.
Complete Odds to win the 2011 Brickyard 400
| AJ Allmendinger | +7500 |
| Brad Keselowski | +3500 |
| Brian Vickers | +6000 |
| Carl Edwards | +600 |
| Clint Bowyer | +3000 |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr | +2500 |
| David Ragan | +5000 |
| David Reutimann | +6000 |
| Denny Hamlin | +1200 |
| Greg Biffle | +1500 |
| Jamie McMurray | +6000 |
| Jeff Burton | +6000 |
| Jeff Gordon | +1000 |
| Jimmie Johnson | +600 |
| Joey Logano | +3500 |
| Juan Pablo Montoya | +800 |
| Kasey Kahne | +3000 |
| Kevin Harvick | +1000 |
| Kurt Busch | +1000 |
| Kyle Busch | +800 |
| Marcos Ambrose | +10000 |
| Mark Martin | +4000 |
| Martin Truex Jr | +5000 |
| Matt Kenseth | +1000 |
| Paul Menard | +7500 |
| Regan Smith | +10000 |
| Ryan Newman | +3500 |
| Tony Stewart | +1000 |
| Trevor Bayne | +10000 |
| Field (Any Other Driver) | +8000 |
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