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| Harvick has finished 1st or 2nd on the four 1.5-mile tracks in 2015 |
Jimmie Johnson, who has won on three of the 1.5s this season and is a four-time All-Star Race winner, comes into this race as the co-second choice to win at 6-to-1 odds. In all three of Johnson's wins this season, he came on strong during the second half of the race and closed it out. In the All-Star Race format, there are four 25-lap segments followed by a final 10-lap dash. For Johnson to expand upon his record win total in this race, he's going to have to be dialed in a little earlier than what he's shown so far this season.
Only 17 drivers are immediately eligible to race in the event, as participation is based on winning during either the 2014 or 2015 season, being a past Cup champion or winning a past All-Star Race.
Two other drivers will become eligible by winning one of the two 20-lap segments in Friday's Sprint Showdown qualifying race. Another spot is up for grabs via fan vote. All three drivers of these will be part of the All-Star Race 'Field' bet at 10-to-1.
Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson are the most likely to advance out of the Sprint Showdown. Danica Patrick is the most likely to advance by fan voting.
The Westgate isn't booking the qualifying event because of its new format. Here's an example as to why: if Truex Jr. wins the first segment, he isn't required to race in the second segment because he has already advanced. Why chance messing up your car? With that type of scenario, the Westgate is staying out of the mix.
Harvick and Johnson have each dominated the 1.5s this season, while Joey Logano and Kurt Busch have been close behind. But how about Dale Earnhardt Jr. this week at 12-to-1 odds? He hasn't won an All-Star Race since his rookie season in 2000, but being fourth or better in the four 1.5-mile races so far this season shows he's consistently good.
Jamie McMurray came out of nowhere to win last year's event at 40-to-1 odds when he hadn't shown much on 1.5s up to that point of the season, and while that big of a long shot doesn't appear likely to win again, it's just a reminder that anything can happen in the All-Star Race and that the best cars on 1.5-mile tracks don't always win. On the other hand, Johnson's four All-Star wins tell another tale.
Here's a complete look at the Westgate odds, including a number posted on Las Vegan Kyle Busch. Welcome back Kyle!
Read More Here.......All-Star Race odds
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