2015 Sprint Unlimited Preview: First NASCAR action worth wait

Last Shootout for Jeff Gordon; he's 12/1 to win

The agonizing wait for any type of NASCAR racing in the new year in finally over. Usually we have some preseason Daytona testing in early January which gives an idea of who will be fast in February and then later in the month Las Vegas would have a test session to give an idea on who will be fast on 1.5-mile tracks. But not this year because of NASCAR’s new policy on testing aimed at keeping competition equal for lesser funded teams.

On Friday, we’ll all get our first real look at 2015 NASCAR as 25 cars will be practicing for Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited, which is a 75-lap non-points race consisting mostly of past pole winners and all those who participated in last years Chase. After examining what happened in those practices and the actual race, we should have a good idea of who will fare the best in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 22.

Despite almost five dozen changes to the rules package for 2015, I’ve been told by a few guys in the garages that racing at Daytona will be very similar to what we saw last season, which basically means that anyone can win the race. So after all the rule changes, we can pretty much say picking a winner at Daytona is just as hard as it’s been for the past few years where we’ve seen the likes of long shots David Ragan and Trevor Bayne sneak in for victories.

Just about every book has odds posted for Saturday night’s race. The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch listed as 10/1 co-favorites (Bet $100 to win $1,000) followed by seven drivers at 12/1 (Bet $100 to win $1,200). The longest shots of the bunch are Danica Patrick and Martin Truex Jr. at 40/1 each.

Any type of wager on the Sprint Unlimited is not a smart wager because there’s nothing to really go off of, but I don’t really care at this point because I’m so starved for any kind of NASCAR action that I have to throw a few dollars down just to feel like I’m part of it again.

But we can fool ourselves into thinking it's a smart wager by looking at some past history which will at least make us feel a little more confident at the bet window. It’s still a crap shoot, but there’s nothing wrong with feeling like you’ve made a good choice by having some solid statistical data behind the selections.

So let’s talk about who some of the top candidates might be.

Denny Hamlin (12/1): For the past two seasons, the Joe Gibbs Racing cars have been consistent performers in restrictor-plate races at Daytona and Talladega, despite wins not reflecting it. Last year Hamlin won the Sprint Unlimited, won one of the Budweiser Duels and then finished second in the Daytona 500. He would later win at Talladega for his only points-paying victory of the season. Armed with new crew chief Dave Rogers, who moved over from Kyle Busch’s team, and also a keen sense of how the draft works, Hamlin appears to be the top candidate to win Saturday night.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (10/1): He’s won this race twice, the last being in 2008, but he also won the Daytona 500 last year, which was his first plate win since 2004. He’ll have a car that can compete for the win and he’s fired up about the season after piling up four wins last year.

Brad Keselowski (12/1): He’s got multiple wins at Talladega, but Daytona has eluded him somehow, although he finished a career best third-place in last years Daytona 500. After racking up a series high six wins last season and getting screwed by the new Chase format, he should be hungry and ready for the season to start.

Jeff Gordon (12/1): He last won this race in 1997 when it was called the Busch Clash and he last won at Daytona in 2005, but this year might be different as every race he enters will be the last of his career this season. He’s calling it quits following the season, so for nostalgia purposes there’s nothing wrong with betting him to win and if he doesn’t, you’ve got yourself a souvenir slip -- Gordon’s last Clash/Shootout/Sprint Unlimited start. He also has piled up a NASCAR record 12 wins in restrictor-plate races.

Kurt Busch (15/1): He’s never won a restrictor-plate points race, but he did win this race in 2011 while driving for Roger Penske. I liked what I saw out of him at Daytona last year -- most of all leading a race-high 36 laps in the rain shortened July race at Daytona. He finished third that day. With pending litigation in Delaware over a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, the Las Vegan probably can’t wait to get in his car this weekend and finally go to work.

Greg Biffle (25/1): We haven't seen a Ford win this race since Dale Jarrett in 2004 and Biffle's only career win in a plate race came at Daytona in the summer of 2003, but he's shown to be quite capable of running well in these type of races. Last season in May's Talladega event he led a race-high 58 laps before finishing second behind Hamlin. He also holds the record in this race for leading the most laps (44) without winning (2005). The Roush-Fenway Racing organization lost Carl Edwards over the winter to JGR, so it will be Biffle leading the charge with the RFR flag.

Field (10/1): In this pool at the Westgate, you get Paul Menard, Clint Bowyer and Casey Mears added after qualified drivers Brian Vickers, Brian Scott and A.J. Allmendinger pulled out. The three late additions have shown to be very comfortable in plate races. In two points-paying races at Daytona last season for Mears, he finished 10th and fourth. Bowyer was third in both Talladega races and Menard led three times for 29 laps in the Daytona 500.

The bottom line to remember here is that this is an exhibition race where anything can happen, so don't go crazy with the wagers. Be cautious, thrifty and wise, but most of all root the heck out of the driver or two you do eventually choose to support.

Read More Here............Top-5 Finish Prediction

Kyle Busch and new crew chief Adam Stevens dive in for Sprint Unlimited

Kyle Busch is 10/1 to win Sprint Unlimited

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 10, 2015) – For Kyle Busch and M&M’s Crispy, 2015 is the year of the comeback.

In January, Busch’s primary backer M&M’s listened to the fans and launched the highly anticipated return of M&M’s Crispy. Just one month later, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fans are also looking forward to another highly anticipated return – the 2015 Sprint Cup Series season, which kicks off with Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited exhibition race and culminates Feb. 22 with the 57th Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

To celebrate the return of M&M’s Crispy, Busch’s colorful No. 18 M&M’s Crispy Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) will introduce a new green paint scheme celebrating the return of Busch’s favorite M&M’s candy. While 2015 is about the celebration of the return of M&M’s Crispy, there are also some exciting new elements for Busch and his teammates that have them looking forward to a return to success for the No. 18 M&M’s Crispy team.

The biggest of the new additions is the promotion of crew chief Adam Stevens from the JGR XFINITY Series shop to new crew chief for Busch’s and the M&M’s Crispy team’s championship efforts in 2015. While Busch and Stevens will work together for the first time in NASCAR’s top series in 2015, the driver-crew chief duo already knows its way to victory lane. In fact, Busch and Stevens have combined for 19 wins, 46 top-five finishes, and 47 top-10s in 52 XFINITY Series starts together over the last two seasons.

One other exciting addition to the team, approximately mid-May, is the expected arrival of Busch’s wife Samantha’s first child, a son, who is due around NASCAR’s annual stop at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway for the back-to-back Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600 race weekends.

With every new season comes optimism, and this one is certainly no exception for Busch and his M&M’s Crispy team as the current Sprint Cup championship format has shown that it rewards what Busch is one of the best at – winning. Since 2008, only six-time and defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson has won more races in NASCAR’s premiere series than Busch, with Johnson tallying 37 wins during that time while Busch and former JGR driver Tony Stewart are tied with 29 apiece.

The 2015 season warms up with Saturday night’s non-points-paying Sprint Unlimited, where Busch brought home a victory in 2012. It continues through next week’s Budweiser Duels qualifying races, during which Busch won in 2009 and 2013. And the official Sprint Cup season begins in earnest Feb. 22 with the Daytona 500. In addition to his three non-points race wins at Daytona, Busch captured his first and only Daytona points-paying Sprint Cup win in July 2008.

So as Busch and his No. 18 M&M’s Crispy Camry prepare to head south from JGR’s Huntersville, North Carolina headquarters this week, Busch hopes the return of M&M’s Crispy also yields a return to Daytona victory lane, but this time as the 36th name on the Harley J. Earl Trophy as 2015 Daytona 500 champion.

KYLE BUSCH, Driver of the No. 18 M&M’s Crispy Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing:

What are the things that you are most looking forward to in 2015?
“I’m looking forward to this year, for sure. To have Adam Stevens on board as my crew chief with the success we’ve had together, I think we have a lot to look forward to. For this year, we’ll switch from the familiar M&M’s yellow to green with M&M’s Crispy, which is back in stores this year. I think the car looks awesome and might look even better with some confetti on it in victory lane at Daytona.”

What is it like to get acclimated to working with Adam Stevens on the Sprint Cup level?
“He’s new to me on the Sprint Cup level but, fortunately, I’ve worked with him the last two seasons in the XFINITY Series. I think that’s why it made sense to move Adam up because we do have that experience and relationship, already, and that chemistry built up. I like Adam Stevens. I think he’s very smart and a very quick study. Sprint Cup is an entirely different thing, so it’s going to take a little bit of time to figure out exactly what to do but, once we get past race five or six, I think he’ll have a much better handle on things.”

Do you expect the rule changes to benefit your driving style?
“I’d certainly like to think that the rule changes for this year with the aero and the engine changes will benefit my sort of style a little bit more. Why I’m so good in the XFINITY Series, I’m not exactly sure, but I’d like to be able to keep that tradition going in that series and, if I can, carry it over to the Cup Series with the cars becoming closer together. I look forward to the opportunity and the challenges that present themselves for this year, but also the opportunity for me to work with Adam (Stevens) and to bring him up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series level and to hopefully carry on our same success that we had in the XFINITY Series.”

How differently do you attack this season after watching the new Chase format last season?
“I think you have to attack this year differently than what has happened in years past, and based off the information we all learned last year through the Chase and everything that happened. One scenario I’ve got involves my win at California. If Kyle Larson would have pushed the issue a little bit more and he would have won that race, it would have knocked us out of the Chase the way things fell and Larson would have been in the Chase. You have to look at it every single week as that could be your shot to get into the Chase and there isn’t necessarily next week. There is but, if you don’t get it or make it happen within the next however many weeks before the Chase starts, then essentially you’ve not given yourself the opportunity to make the Chase.”

What advice have you received from other drivers about becoming a father?
“There have been situations where you’re just casually talking to (Matt) Kenseth or Denny (Hamlin) or whatever about kids, and some of the stories you hear. I’ve also talked with (Jamie) McMurray and (Aric) Almirola. So, you get to talk to those guys who have had kids and just kind of hear some of their stories and how they did it and what they do. It does give you a new perspective. I have no way to know what to expect with what’s coming, but people tell you all the time what to expect. I think every situation is different. Your family and your livelihood, how you grew up and how you were raised, and how your wife grew up and was raised, and trying to merge those together into how you want to raise your kid, it’s going to be challenging but something that Samantha (wife) and I look forward to.”

KYLE BUSCH’S DAYTONA SPRINT CUP SERIES PERFORMANCE PROFILE

Year	Date	Event	Start	Finish	Status/Laps	Laps Led	Earnings
2014	2/23	Daytona 500	37	19	Running, 200/200	19	$373,501
	7/6	*Coke Zero 400	39	28	Accident, 97/112	0	$149,676
2013	2/24	Daytona 500	4	34	Engine, 151/200	0	$377,610
	7/6	×Coke Zero 400	1	12	Running, 161/161	29	$160,488
2012	2/27	×Daytona 500	14	17	Running, 202/202	0	$341,821
	7/7	Coke Zero 400	22	24	Running, 159/160	6	$139,038
2011	2/20	×Daytona 500	10	8	Running, 208/208	3	$394,314
	7/2	×Coke Zero 400	38	5	Running, 170/170	11	$170,691
2010	2/14	×Daytona 500	7	14	Running, 208/208	3	$340,176
	7/3	׆Coke Zero 400	3	40	Accident, 103/166	23	$131,281
2009	2/15	*Daytona 500	4	41	Accident, 123/152	88	$349,171
	7/4	†Coke Zero 400	8	14	Running, 160/160	1	$145,273
2008	2/17	50th Daytona 500	24	4	Running, 200/200	86	$652,938
	7/5	×Coke Zero 400	9	1	Running, 162/162	31	$315,950
2007	2/18	×49th Daytona 500	8	24	Running, 202/202	4	$276,858
	7/7	†Pepsi 400	11	2	Running, 160/160	20	$207,275
2006	2/19	×48th Daytona 500	4	23	Running, 203/203	5	$281,833
	7/1	Pepsi 400	14	2	Running, 160/160	0	$210,525
2005	2/20	×47th Daytona 500	19	38	Running, 148/203	0	$252,063
	7/2	Pepsi 400	32	31	Accident, 146/160	0	$88,150

KYLE BUSCH’S SPRINT UNLIMITED/BUDWEISDER DUEL PERFORMANCE PROFILE

Year	Date	Event	Start	Finish	Status/Laps	Laps Led	Earnings
2014	2/15	Sprint Unlimited	4	3	Running, 75/75	6	$57,380
	2/20	Budweiser Duel	11	20	Running, 60/60	0	$24,888
2013	2/16	Sprint Unlimited	14	75	Accident, 14/75	0	$39,025
	2/21	Budweiser Duel Race 2	4	1	Running, 60/60	19	$58,972
2012	2/18	×Budweiser Shootout	2	1	Running, 82/82	3	$198,550
	2/23	Gatorade Duel Race 2	12	7	Running, 60/60	5	$26,213
2011	2/12	Budweiser Shootout	21	16	Accident, 41/75	2	$33,075
	2/17	Gatorade Duel Race 2	13	4	Running, 60/60	4	$31,713
2010	2/6	×Budweiser Shootout	17	4	Running, 76/76	0	$48,834
	2/11	Gatorade Duel Race 1	6	3	Running, 60/60	2	$33,970
2009	2/8	×Budweiser Shootout	10	10	Running, 78/78	6	$41,500
	2/12	Gatorade Duel Race 2	8	1	Running, 60/60	5	$53,188
2008	2/14	×Gatorade Duel Race 2	20	11	Running, 64/64	15	$23,238
2007	2/10	Budweiser Shootout	6	7	Running, 70/70	39	$48,000
	2/15	×Gatorade Duel Race 2	6	4	Running, 63/63	31	$26,783
2006	2/12	×Budweiser Shootout	14	15	Running, 72/72	4	$37,377
	2/16	×Gatorade Duel Race 2	4	2	Running, 64/64	22	$36,783

× Race length extended due to green-white-checkered finish.         

† Qualifying canceled due to weather, starting position set via car owner points.

- True Speed Commications for M&M’s Racing

Danica Patrick looking to be more consistent in 2015

Danica Patrick is 40/1 to win Sprint Unlimited

For fans who expected Danica Patrick to be running in the top 10 or winning Sprint Cup races by now, she has a simple message or word of caution.

That was never her expectation after just two full seasons of Sprint Cup racing.

“From every single interview I have ever done about where I expected to be, I never gave any answer on where I thought that would be,” Patrick said recently. “I have said all along it’s about progress, and it still is. As long as you keep progressing you are going to get to the top over a matter of time.”

MORE: Preseason Power Rankings | Danica eying new contract | Tony Stewart refreshed, ready to race | Kurt Busch saga

Most would argue that Patrick is showing very little progress and is highly unlikely to ever get to the top in the Sprint Cup Series, that in fact she took a step backward last season by finishing 28th in points a year after finishing 27th as a Cup rookie.

But Patrick and her team insist that’s not the case.

“There has been improvements in the areas that I wanted them, and now it’s about making those improvements much more consistent,” she said.

Read More Here.....Sporting News

Matt Kenseth 'looking forward to starting a new season' with Sprint Unlimited

Matt Kenseth is 12/1 to win Sprint Unlimited

Matt Kenseth / No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Preview
Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway
No. 20 Dollar General Toyota News and Notes:

THIS YEAR’S FORMAT: This year, the starting line-up for the Sprint Unlimited will be determined by a random draw. The race will consist of 75 total laps and will be broken down into two segments with the competition caution coming out after lap 25. A total of 25 drivers are eligible for this year’s event.

COULD THIS BE THE YEAR?: Last year’s Sprint Unlimited found Kenseth starting from 16th after fans had voted to set the starting line-up based off of final practice speeds and the No. 20 team had not participated in the final practice. 2014’s event was broken down into three segments of 30/25/20 laps and Kenseth was caught up in a multi-car wreck on lap 36 that ended the team’s night. Kenseth’s best finish in the event is third, which he earned in 2003.

THIS WEEK ON THE NO. 20 DOLLAR GENERAL TOYOTA: Dollar General vendor partners Doritos, Old Spice, Clorox, Bugles, Hefty Reynolds Wrap, Stacker2, Colgate, Quilted Northern and Twix will be featured on Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20 Toyota Camry this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

RACE INFO: The Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile) begins at8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 14th. The race will be broadcast live on FOX, Sirius XM Channel 90 and MRN Radio.

Kenseth’s 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season Stats:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top-10	Poles	Laps Led	Earnings	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
36	0	13	22	2	529	$7,621,984	14.0	13.2

Kenseth’s Career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Stats:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	Laps Led	Earnings	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
544	31	151	270	13	9,455	$107,164,248	18.2	14.1

From the Cockpit:
Matt Kenseth: “I’m really looking forward to starting a new season. There are a lot of changes heading into this year with new rules and changes at JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) including adding Carl (Edwards) and another team into the mix. I’m just ready to get on track and hopefully have success that more resembles our 2013 season. I’m ready to get down to Daytona and I’m curious to see what the season has in store for our Dollar General team. The Unlimited will be our first time to get on track for the year, besides the tire test that our team participated in, so we’re ready to see how our Camrys perform as we prepare for a lot of on-track action throughout Speedweeks.”

From the Pit Box:
Jason Ratcliff: “I really like the Sprint Unlimited and I can’t imagine not being able to compete in it. The Unlimited is a great way for us to break up going from the offseason into the racing season. With it not being a points race, it’s a good opportunity to get your team gelling and the pit crew back in action on pit road. For us, it’s also a good opportunity for us to try some things in an effort to better our speedway program, so I’m looking forward to finally getting our DG Toyota back on track.”

About Dollar General:
Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for over 75 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. With more than 11,700 stores in 40 states, Dollar General has more retail locations than any retailer in America. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America’s most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg’s, General Mills, and PepsiCo. For more information on Dollar General, please visit www.dollargeneral.com.
DG at the Track:
Dollar General has more retail locations than any retailer in America, with ­­­more than 11,700 stores in 40 states. There are 12 Dollar General locations in the Daytona Beach area.

- Joe Gibbs Racing

2015 Sprint Unlimited Facts

By the Numbers: Sprint Unlimited:
.013 - Margin of victory in seconds by Kyle Busch over Tony Stewart in 2012, the closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history.
.058 - Margin of victory in seconds by Kurt Busch over Jamie McMurray in 2011, the second closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history.
.08 - Margin of victory in seconds by Dale Earnhardt over Sterling Marlin in 1995, the third closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history.
1 - Laps led by Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Dale Jarrett (2000 and 2004) and Kevin Harvick (2009) in the Sprint Unlimited races they won.
2 - The starting position that has produced the most Sprint Unlimited wins (five).
2.75 - Average finish by Dale Earnhardt, best by any driver with multiple starts.
5 - Drivers who have won the event in their first appearance (Buddy Baker, 1979; Dale Earnhardt, 1980; Jeff Gordon, 1994; Dale Jarrett, 1996; Denny Hamlin, 2006).
6 - Number of Sprint Unlimited wins by Dale Earnhardt, the series leader.
7 - Number of fewest starters in the field for the Sprint Unlimited (1981).
9 - Number of races led, most since race began in 1979 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.)
11 - Number of starts before winning, most since race began in 1979 (Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin).
14 - Number of different leaders in the 2009 event, most since race began in 1979.
20 - Number of wins by Chevrolet in the Sprint Unlimited, leads all manufacturers.
21 - Most consecutive starts in the Sprint Unlimited by Jeff Gordon (1994-2014).
27 - Kevin Harvick's starting position in 2009, the lowest by a race winner in the event's history.
28 - Number of lead changes in the 2011 event, highest number since race began in 1979.
44 - Laps led by Greg Biffle in 2005, the most by a driver who did not win the event.
47 - Laps led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008, the most in a single Sprint Unlimited.
124.095 mph - The slowest average speed of the race for the Sprint Unlimited was last season's event won by Kyle Busch.
197.802 mph - The fastest average speed of the race for the Sprint Unlimited was in 1987 won by Bill Elliott.

The Sprint Unlimited Manufacturer Recap:
Manufacturer, Victories, Last Victory - Driver
Chevrolet, 21, 2013 - Kevin Harvick
Ford, 7, 2004 - Dale Jarrett
Toyota, 3, 2014 - Denny Hamlin
Buick, 2, 1982 - Bobby Allison
Oldsmobile, 2, 1980 - Dale Earnhardt
Pontiac, 2, 2002 - Tony Stewart
Dodge, 1, 2011 - Kurt Busch

Sprint Unlimited format unveiled: 

NASCAR announced that the season-opening 75-lap Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 14, will be split into two segments. A competition caution at lap 25 will separate the segments in the non-points event, scheduled for an 8:15pm/et start (live on FOX, Motor Racing Network Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). 

New this year, select fans will be paired with each crew chief for a random drawing to determine starting and pit road positions. The drawings will take place on Friday, Feb. 13 at the FDOT Main Stage inside the Sprint FANZONE beginning at 3:30pm. The field of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will include 2014 Coors Light Pole Award winners, former Sprint Unlimited race winners and Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full time in 2014, and all 16 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers from 2014. If an eligible driver does not enter the race, the open position will be filled based on 2014 Championship driver points. The first five provisional drivers, respectively, are #15-Clint Bowyer, #27-Paul Menard, Marcos Ambrose, #13-Casey Mears, and #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Denny Hamlin ready to roll in 2015

CHARLOTTE, N.C. His back feels as good as it ever has.

His confidence never will waver.

And Denny Hamlin and his team managed to maneuver through the minefield of the Chase for the Sprint Cup in 2014 to reach the last race of the season as one of the final four competing for the championship.

Based on all that, Hamlin’s optimism for 2015 should be as high as his No. 11 FedEx Toyota is fast.

Well, maybe that’s not the best analogy. Compared to how fast cars go on the highway, Hamlin was pretty fast last season.

Compared to how the rest of the cars on the Sprint Cup circuit moved last season, Hamlin, and his teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing, were straining to keep pace.

Hamlin, 34, is nothing if not honest. He’s first to say his car lacked speed in 2014. And as he has gotten older, he has tempered his optimism with realism.

“I’m as optimistic this time of the year as I have been any year,” Hamlin said during his interview session at the NASCAR Media Tour on Monday. “I’m no hungrier. I’m too competitive to be lackadaisical.

“We had a lackluster year (in 2014), but still made it as far as we did. I thought last year we ran as bad as we possibly could given the organization we’re with. We’ve got a lot of room for improvement, and I think that will change this year.”

Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the powers in NASCAR.

Read More Here.....Richmond Times-Dispatch

Who will win 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Title?

Jeff Gordon makes final drive for 5 this year

LAS VEGAS -- Let's take a look at some of the odds being offered around Las Vegas sports books on who will win the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. We posted six sports books and five of those sports books have six-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson as the favorite, while MGM Resorts has Kevin Harvick listed as theirs.

The idea that Johnson should win his record-tying seventh Sprint Cup is an easy notion to accept because he's had the edge with Hendrick Motorsports being ahead of the curve every time change occurs with the cars. This year there are up to five dozen changes to the rules package. The MGM books are offering 7-to-1 odds on Johnson, which is the highest in town.

The worst part about playing the waiting game for some kind of racing action -- remember, no Daytona preseason testing this year -- is that our first real nose-dive into the 2015 season kind of hit us all unguarded. When I got the press release last Thursday morning that 'Jeff Gordon would run his final full-time NASCAR season in 2015' it kind of hit me hard in the gut.

More than anything, it seemed like a wake-up call that time is flying by. Gordon turns 44 in August. I'll be 45 in May, and it seems almost like yesterday he won at Indy for the first time. Gordon took NASCAR to new places all over the West Coast with his popularity, which eventually included getting us a Cup race in Las Vegas, and that, in-turn, helped propel betting to new heights.

Daytona 500 odds: Micah Roberts discusses Vegas' best values

When Gordon made his Cup debut in the 1992 season finale at Atlanta -- the same race in which Richard Petty said goodbye -- there weren't sports books carrying odds on every race. The Daytona 500 was always up, but some of the other races never saw an odds board. Gordon's inaugural Brickyard 400 win in 1994 really sent a shock wave out to the West Coast that was felt by many. People out here wanted to watch more races and they also wanted to bet on them.

I was fortunate to have been with a sports book that wanted to offer odds on every Cup race and I got authority to play around with the numbers, so went I went all in with efforts (read magazines and newspapers daily) and later started posting props and different types of ways to wager on a race box score. By the time the Fontana Cup race came in 1997 and Vegas Cup race the year after, we had some seasoned fans out west that turned out to be good bettors as well. Many of them were fired up Jeff Gordon fans rooting for the Vallejo, Ca. kid. 

Read More Here.....The Linemakers on Sporting News

Hendrick cars should be most consistent throughout 2015

Jeff Gordon makes his final full season run in 2015

Gaming Today

Last season there were six drivers that accumulated 28 of the 36 wins, and yet in the final stage of the Chase at Homestead it was Ryan Newman, who didn’t win a single race in 2014, that was two laps away from winning the Sprint Cup Championship.

Denny Hamlin with only one win on the year was leading with seven laps to go. So as we look at odds to win the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup, there’s a lot more to think about than ever before.

In addition to the pitfalls of the Chase where 16 drivers are eliminated in each three-race stage before the final-four duel it out in Homestead, you’ve also got to wonder how the five dozen changes to the 2015 rules package is going to affect the speed of each team.

Racing will surely be different from last season just because the horsepower has been reduced significantly from 850 down to 725. Don’t expect to see any track records broken during qualifying this season.

Whenever there has been any change to cars, the safest bet has been to assume Hendrick Motorsports will have the immediate edge, which is part of the reason Jimmie Johnson (9/2) is favored at most Las Vegas sports books to win the 2015 title.

The six-time champ will be looking to tie Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most Cup Championships all-time and his stellar crew always finds an advantage before others catch on.

But while that strategy has worked in the past where the car was good over the long haul has changed now because of the Chase format. It pays better to fast on the short term because if you win, you advance. Kevin Harvick (6/1) had the best car on the track in at least half the races last season, but had plenty of poor finishes and errors as well. They only won three times in the first 34, but advanced by winning race No. 35 at Phoenix and then won at Homestead.

Brad Keselowski (7/1) won a series leading six races in 2014, but didn’t make it to the final stage. Nor did Jeff Gordon (6/1) or Dale Earnhardt Jr. (15/1) who won four races each. Joey Logano (8/1) had five wins last year and made the Championship round, but finished 16th at Homestead.

So with the small sample size of the Chase and the unknown of how the cars are going to run – no pre-season testing, there aren’t many drivers you can discount like we used to in the past. Paul Menard at 200-1 to win the title used to sound ridiculous, but after seeing his teammate Newman restart with two laps to go at Homestead, you start to believe the wild possibilities that could occur.

It is my belief, and a few others within the garages, that Hendrick Motorsports will be the team quickest out of the gate. That means Johnson, Gordon, Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne could present value in individual races, but what about the title?

Gordon will be making his final full season run in NASCAR this year and what a story it would be if he could win his fifth championship, and if you’ve been reading my NASCAR stuff here for the past 20 years, you know I’m a sucker for the dramatic. Judging by bets being taken in at the books so far, they are feeling Gordon 2015 as well.

“We’ve got twice as many bets on Jeff Gordon to win the Championship than any other driver,” said MGM Resorts sports book hub manager Jeff Stoneback. “That’s twice as many as Johnson and then much more over our next three, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Junior.”

The MGM Resorts are offering 10-1 odds on Gordon, which is the highest in the city, and their 31 percent theoretic hold on their Championship odds is close to being one of the best in the city.

I have to give Gordon a lot of credit for his role in making NASCAR what it is today in American society and for also what he did here in Las Vegas by spurring the betting movement. Before Gordon won the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994, you didn’t see odds posted on every race during a NASCAR season.

His popularity fueled a west coast NASCAR frenzy that demanded every Cup race have odds posted and the books obliged. The fans also got race tracks in Fontana, Calif., and Las Vegas, and several more have sprouted up across the country.

I can’t just say Gordon’s amazing rise to stardom was accomplished all by himself, but during that short period from 1995-98, where Gordon combined to win 40 races, the NASCAR brand sure benefited from the Vallejo, Calif., kid.

Here’s a look at who I have in my top-10 to win the title with expected season wins in parentheses:

1. Jeff Gordon (3 wins)

2. Jimmie Johnson (4 wins)

3. Brad Keselowski (4 wins)

4. Denny Hamlin (3 wins)

5. Matt Kenseth (1 win)

6. Joey Logano (2 wins)

7. Carl Edwards (2 wins)

8. Kevin Harvick (3 wins)

9. Kyle Busch (2 wins)

10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1 win)

Jeff Gordon to run final full-time NASCAR season in 2015

One last Drive for '5' for Jeff Gordon in 2015  

CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 22, 2015) - Jeff Gordon, the celebrated stock car champion whose crossover appeal helped take NASCAR into the mainstream, will compete in his 23rd and final full-time Sprint Cup Series season in 2015. He announced his decision this morning to the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team he has driven for since November 1992.

"As a race car driver, much of what I've done throughout my life has been based on following my instincts and trying to make good decisions," Gordon said. "I thought long and hard about my future this past year and during the offseason, and I've decided 2015 will be the last time I compete for a championship. I won't use the ‘R-word' because I plan to stay extremely busy in the years ahead, and there's always the possibility I'll compete in selected events, although I currently have no plans to do that.

"I don't foresee a day when I'll ever step away from racing. I'm a fan of all forms of motor sports, but particularly NASCAR. We have a tremendous product, and I'm passionate about the business and its future success. As an equity owner in Hendrick Motorsports, I'm a partner with Rick (Hendrick) and will remain heavily involved with the company for many years to come. It means so much to have the chance to continue working with the owner who took a chance on me and the incredible team that's stood behind me every step of the way.

"Racing has provided a tremendous amount of opportunity that's been extraordinarily rewarding and fulfilling in my life. The work we're doing with the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation will continue to be extremely important to me. Outside the race car, my passion is pediatric cancer research, and my efforts will remain focused there when I'm no longer driving.

"I'll explore opportunities for the next phase of my career, but my primary focus now and throughout 2015 will be my performance in the No. 24 Chevrolet. I'm going to pour everything I have into this season and look forward to the challenge of competing for one last championship.

"To everyone at NASCAR, my teammates, sponsors, competitors, friends, family, members of the media and especially our incredible fans, all I can say is thank you."

Gordon, 43, has earned four career Cup championships, 92 points-paying race wins and 77 pole positions, all for longtime car owner Rick Hendrick. He is third in all-time victories behind only NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers Richard Petty (200) and David Pearson (105).

One of the most versatile drivers of his era in any auto racing discipline, Gordon's résumé includes three Daytona 500 victories and a record five Brickyard 400 wins. He is the sport's winningest road course driver with nine victories, stands alone as the all-time leader with 12 restrictor plate wins and has won at every track on the Sprint Cup circuit with the exception of Kentucky Speedway.

"There's simply no way to quantify Jeff's impact," said Hendrick, who first noticed Gordon during a race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March 1992. "He's one of the biggest sports stars of a generation, and his contributions to the success and growth of NASCAR are unsurpassed. There's been no better ambassador for stock car racing and no greater representation of what a champion should be. I will never be able to properly express the respect and admiration I have for Jeff and how meaningful our relationship is to me. I'm so grateful for everything he's done for our company and my family, and I look forward to many more years together as friends and business partners."

Hendrick Motorsports will announce plans for its 2016 team alignment at a later date.

JEFF GORDON BIO BRIEF:

FULL NAME: Jeffery Michael Gordon
BIRTHDATE: Aug. 4, 1971
BIRTHPLACE: Vallejo, California
HOMETOWN: Pittsboro, Indiana
FAMILY: Wife Ingrid Vandebosch; daughter Ella Sofia (7); son Leo Benjamin (4)

• Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001)
• 92 career Cup victories; third on the all-time list
• 77 career Cup pole positions; third on the all-time list
• Three-time Daytona 500 winner (1997, 1999, 2005)
• Five-time Brickyard 400 winner (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2014)
• Three-time champion of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (1995, 1997, 2001)
• NASCAR record nine road course victories
• NASCAR record 12 restrictor plate victories
• 1997 Winston Million winner and four-time Winston No Bull 5 winner
• Seven-time winner at Darlington Raceway

CUP SERIES HIGHLIGHTS AND CAREER NOTES:

2014: Captured four victories, three pole positions, 14 top-five finishes and a series-leading 23 top-10s. Scored a NASCAR-record fifth Brickyard 400 win, tying Formula One driver Michael Schumacher for the most victories at Indianapolis. Posted series-best average finish (10.4) en route to a sixth-place finish in the point standings. Extended NASCAR record for most consecutive seasons with a pole (22). Starred in the viral video "Test Drive 2," which has surpassed 17 million views on YouTube.

2013: Finished sixth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with one win (Martinsville), two poles, eight top-fives and 17 top-10s. Set NASCAR record for most consecutive seasons with a pole (21), breaking a tie with NASCAR Hall of Fame driver David Pearson. Starred in the viral video "Test Drive," which has surpassed 43 million views on YouTube.

2012: Recorded two wins, two poles, 11 top-fives, 18 top-10s and finished 10th in the Chase. Scored first career Homestead-Miami victory and surpassed NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Darrell Waltrip for sixth in all-time career laps led (23,147). Recipient of the Heisman Humanitarian Award, established to recognize those in sports who give significantly to serve communities and improve the lives of others. Appeared as himself in an episode of the FOX animated television show "The Simpsons." Returned to Rwanda for a second time in conjunction with the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation. Recipient of the NMPA Myers Brothers Award, which recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing.

2011: Began working with fourth full-time crew chief Alan Gustafson. Posted three wins, one pole, 13 top-fives and 18 top-10s en route to an eighth-place finish in the Chase. Moved to third in all-time wins after scoring his 85th career victory at Atlanta and claimed sole possession of third in all-time career poles (70). Voiced the character "Jeff Gorvette" in the animated film "Cars 2." Traveled to Rwanda with the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation, and visited the Democratic Republic of Congo in conjunction with the Clinton Global Initiative.

2010: Finished ninth in the Chase with one pole, 11 top-fives and 17 top-10s. Tied NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Cale Yarborough for third in all-time career poles (69) and remained sixth in all-time career wins (82), one behind Yarborough.

2009: Finished third in the Chase with one win, one pole, 16 top-fives and a series-high 25 top-10s. Scored first career Texas victory. Appeared in an episode of the long-running children's television series "Sesame Street."

2008: Finished seventh in the Chase with four poles, 13 top-fives and 19 top-10s. Scored first career Texas pole. Became first NASCAR driver to surpass $100 million in career prize winnings.

2007: Finished second in the Chase with six wins, seven poles, 21 top-fives and 30 top-10s -- a single-season record for most top-10s in NASCAR's modern era (1972-present). Scored first career Phoenix victory and set all-time record for most career restrictor plate wins (12). Moved to sixth all-time in career wins (81) and fourth all-time in career poles (63).

2006: Finished sixth in the Chase with two victories, two poles, 14 top-fives and 18 top-10s. Scored first career Chicagoland victory and extended own record for most road course victories (9) with fifth career win at Sonoma.

2005: Posted four wins, two poles, eight top-fives, 14 top-10s and finished 11th in the point standings. Achieved third career Daytona 500 victory, fourth win at Talladega and sixth and seventh victories at Martinsville, marking the second time in three years he swept both events at the short track. Ran first race with third full-time crew chief Steve Letarte at New Hampshire on Sept. 18. Appeared as himself in the film "Herbie: Fully Loaded."

2004: Five wins, six poles, 16 top-fives and 25 top-10s. Finished third in the inaugural Chase, marking 11 consecutive top-10 point finishes. Led standings after 26th race before top-10 points were reset. Became the first stock car driver to capture four victories at Indianapolis and only the fourth driver in history to win there four times. Won back-to-back races for the 19th and 20th times in his career.

2003: Three wins, four poles, 15 top-fives, 20 top-10s and a series-leading 1,639 laps led. Won both events at Martinsville to complete a season sweep at the track. Finished fourth in the point standings. Became the only auto racing driver in the show's history to host NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

2002: Recorded three victories, three poles, 13 top-fives and 20 top-10s. At Darlington, won 60th career race. Recorded 300th career start and became first NASCAR driver to surpass $50 million in career prize winnings.

2001: Achieved a fourth career championship to become at the time only the third driver to win more than three titles. Led the series in several statistical categories: wins (6), poles (6), top-fives (18), top-10s (24), races led (25) and laps led (2,320). Became the first driver to eclipse $10 million in single-season prize winnings. Won both the all-star event and the Brickyard 400.

2000: Began working with second full-time crew chief Robbie Loomis. Earned three wins, three poles, 11 top-fives and 22 top-10s. Became the youngest driver in history to achieve 50 career wins. Won Talladega, Richmond and Sonoma. Win at Sonoma marked sixth straight road course victory, a series record. Finished ninth in points.

1999: Finished the season with seven victories to become the first driver in history to win the most races for five straight years. Also won the most poles (7) and led the most laps (1,319). Finished the season sixth in points with 18 top-fives and 21 top-10s. Ran final race with original crew chief Ray Evernham at Dover on Sept. 26. Appeared on the cover of Fortune magazine. Established the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation, which supports pediatric cancer research, treatment and patient support programs. Became an equity owner in Hendrick Motorsports after signing a lifetime contract to drive for the team.

1998: Won third series championship with 13 victories, seven poles, 26 top-fives and 28 top-10s. Became first driver to win the Brickyard 400 twice. Won the Winston No Bull Five twice. Tied two modern-era records with 13 wins in one season and four wins in a row. Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.

1997: Won second series championship with 10 victories, one pole, 22 top-fives and 23 top-10s. Became youngest driver to win the Daytona 500 in a Hendrick Motorsports 1-2-3 finish. Second driver ever to win the Winston Million.

1996: Led the series in wins (10), poles (5) and laps led (2,314). Also recorded 21 top-fives and 24 top-10s. Finished second in championship points, only 37 behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Terry Labonte.

1995: At 24, became youngest Cup champion in NASCAR's modern era in only third full season in the series. Recorded seven victories, eight poles (personal record), 23 top-10 finishes and 2,610 laps led.

1994: Won twice, including first career victory at Charlotte and the inaugural Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. Achieved seven top-fives and 14 top-10s.

1993: Earned series Rookie of the Year to become the first driver ever to win top rookie honors in NASCAR's two top divisions (XFINITY Series Rookie of the Year in 1991). Became first rookie in 30 years to win a 125-mile qualifying race at Daytona.

1992: Signed contract with Hendrick Motorsports and made first career series start on Nov. 15 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, finishing 31st under the guidance of crew chief Evernham. The race also marked the final NASCAR event for seven-time series champion Richard Petty.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has earned more than 200 race victories and a record 11 car owner championships in NASCAR's premier division, the Sprint Cup Series. The organization fields four full-time Chevrolet teams on the Sprint Cup circuit with drivers Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Headquartered in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs more than 600 people. For more information, visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Come get your 2015 Daytona 500 odds from Las Vegas; lots to choose

Who really has a shot at winning Daytona 500?

LAS VEGAS -- We don't have Daytona Preseason Thunder (testing) like we’ve been accustomed to over the years, where a few days' of media reports about who was fastest in early January was like the rooster on the dawning of a new season.

Because of limited testing, we have to find our own wake-up call that NASCAR is just around the corner, and mine came on a walk through several Las Vegas sports books on Wednesday afternoon to find the best value for Sprint Cup and Daytona 500 odds.

Over the last few days, I have been baffled by what to expect at not only Daytona, but the entire 2015 Sprint Cup season. I made a few calls and talked to some respected people in the garages, and came away feeling somewhat satisfied that we won't be blindsided by rapid change at Daytona, a track whose races are always up for grabs for a large pool of drivers -- see Aric Almirola’s win last year in the Coke Zero 400.

But with up to 60 changes in the rules package, does that mean racing at Daytona will be different this year?

I was assured by several smarts that they expect the racing to be very similar to what we saw last season and that the majority of solid set-up notes from 2014 will still apply this year. If that’s the case, we should see Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing excel throughout Daytona Speedweeks.

Last year, JGR’s Denny Hamlin won the Sprint Unlimited and a Budweiser Duels race, but Hendrick’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. would halt the Daytona-triple by winning the Daytona 500, his first win on the track since 2004. Hamlin would go on to win at Talladega, the other restrictor-plate track, followed by Almirola's win in the summer at Daytona and then Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski at Talladega during the Chase.

Between all my stops throughout town, I was most impressed with the concerted effort by Caesars Palace’s chain of sports books. The Westgate SuperBook and William Hill U.S. set the standard for lowest theoretic hold in the city, and Caesars/Harrah’s used to be second-tier in that regard. Not anymore. Not only do their NASCAR odds compare well with the top books in the city, but it also extends to their future prices in NFL, MLB and NBA.

Hail Caesar, big high-five!

The chart below allows you to shop for the best Daytona 500 odds in Las Vegas. I hit all of these places in a relatively quick amount of time, so if you’ve got five to six drivers you like, do yourself a favor – take a walk and find maximum value.

The juiciest numbers look like Earnhardt Jr. at 12-to-1 (Westgate), Hamlin at 15-to-1 (William Hill, Stations), Tony Stewart at 25-to-1 (Stations), Almirola at 60-to-1 (MGM) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at 60-to-1 (MGM).

We’ll be talking Daytona for the next month and keeping our ears open. Just like any sport, information is key and right now info is at a premium because the books are in the dark just as much as the bettors.

Every Las Vegas books' Daytona 500 odds

Could Dale Earnhardt Jr be a major player in NASCAR 2015? Shootout odds

 Dale Earnhardt Jr. tasted success in 2014. Title on horizon?

When I look at all the odds being offered around town to win the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup, Daytona 500 and Sprint Unlimited, I really have no idea what to expect or how to project a winner. I’ve been doing this NASCAR odds stuff for a few decades and I’m always quick to give a take on who should fare well for the races, but not in 2015.

This season is a little different. We’re looking at five dozen changes to the 2015 NASCAR rules package which includes horsepower being dropped from 850 down to 725 and the rear spoiler being dropped from 8 inches to 6 inches. We’ve got 15 different crew chief changes and all kinds of other considerations that always occur with a new year.

We also don’t have test sessions like we used to see. You knew immediately from the preseason testing at Daytona what teams were going to be fast in the season. Then you had Las Vegas testing where you could get a gauge on who would be fast on 1.5-mile tracks. Now, there’s nothing except Goodyear tire testing, and Goodyear doesn‘t let anyone into the track until the testing is over. Four cars will be testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Monday, but media isn’t allowed at the track until the session is complete.

As of right now, I’m absolutely stumped. My probability model I run every preseason is completely out of whack. I have no idea who to key on for anything. Last season’s Chase taught me that anyone can win the title like we’ve never seen before. Instead of keying of 12 to 15 drivers to win it all, it’s now expanded up to 25 drivers. If Ryan Newman can be two laps away from winning a championship without winning a race in the first 35 races, then that gives Sam Hornish, Brian Vickers and Martin Truex an opportunity like never before to being champ. 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick agreed with the idea that there's a broader pool of drivers contending for a legitimate shot at the title following his Las Vegas Champion tour in early December.

"Absolutely. You know, I think as you -- if you can get to the Daytona 500 or Talladega or whatever that
particular driver's good track is or the team's good track and capitalize on those situations, you look at Aric Almirola and AJ Allmendinger and those guys being able to get themselves into victory lane, if you can get that one win and really prepare yourself for the Chase and have a good first few weeks and you have some guys have some problems and you kind of.

" I guess, you guys have all kind of dubbed the 31 team (Newman) as the Cinderella story, but there's a lot of cars in the garage that have that capability of being that Cinderella team, especially when you start talking about momentum.

"When you get the momentum in the sports world, momentum is a huge thing, and you can carry that a long ways. I think it definitely opens the possibility of things -- of cars and teams coming from being that dark horse I guess you could say to being in contention just for the fact of that momentum building and the teams getting better as they go through the year.

"It definitely opens things up to a lot of people being able to be in the Chase."

I saw Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Jeff Gordon dominate in 2014, but none of them won the title. Kevin Harvick won his first championship, but he was swinging for the fences all season in a win or nothing approach and then put 10 good races together. One poor finish in the 10-race Chase and your season is done. Now, this year, we have all the changes to the car which makes it even a bigger crap shoot. So where do we start?

While there are better opportunities for the smaller teams to compete because of less testing where Michael Waltrip says his team will save up to $1.5 million this year with the ban, one thing I can say is that the power teams should be fast right out of the gate. Anytime there’s a major change to the cars, Hendrick Motorsports has been way ahead of the curve, such as the ‘Car of Tomorrow’ when they initially dominated.

Hendrick’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. told Fox Sports that he thinks the changes will benefit him.

"I think the (rules) package will favor me," Earnhardt said. "I think it will favor the majority of the guys in the field. We did run a little bit of that package at Charlotte (Motor Speedway) the other day (at a Goodyear tire test).

"To be honest with you, it feels very, very similar to what we ran last year, aside from the engine. But once you run with that engine package for about a day, you almost forget you have it.

"Right away, the difference is noticeable, but after a while, you sort of get used to it and forget you're even down on power compared to last year."

So maybe Junior, who won last years Daytona 500, is a driver to take a shot with. You have to at least like his confidence.

Here's a look at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook's odds to win the Sprint Unlimited which is a 75-lap non-points shootout:

Sprint Unlimited Odds to Win

Video: Roberts talks about perplexing 2015

Westgate posts odds to win 2015 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona

Denny Hamlin won Unlimited and Duel race last season

SPRINT UNLIMITED
DAYTONA INT'L SPEEDWAY
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015

** RACE CONSISTS OF 75 LAPS **

DALE EARNHARDT JR 10
KEVIN HARVICK 10
KYLE BUSCH 10
JIMMIE JOHNSON 12
JEFF GORDON 12
DENNY HAMLIN 10
BRAD KESELOWSKI 12
MATT KENSETH 10
JOEY LOGANO 12
CARL EDWARDS 12
TONY STEWART 15
KYLE LARSON 15
KURT BUSCH 15
JAMIE McMURRAY 18
GREG BIFFLE 20
RYAN NEWMAN 20
KASEY KAHNE 20
AUSTIN DILLON 25
ARIC ALMIROLA 40
DANICA PATRICK 40
MARTIN TRUEX JR 40
AJ ALLMENDINGER 50
BRIAN SCOTT 60
FIELD 60


SPRINT UNLIMITED RACE MATCHUPS

DALE EARNHARDT JR -110
KEVIN HARVICK -110

KYLE BUSCH -110
BRAD KESELOWSKI -110

JIMMIE JOHNSON -110
CARL EDWARDS -110

DENNY HAMLIN -110
JEFF GORDON -110

JOEY LOGANO -110
MATT KENSETH -110

KYLE LARSON -110
KURT BUSCH -110

Updated Westagte SuperBook odds to win 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship

Is Joey Logano ready to be Champ?

2015 SPRINT CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

JIMMIIE JOHNSON 9-2
KEVIN HARVICK 6
JEFF GORDON 6
BRAD KESELOWSKI 7
JOEY LOGANO 8
MATT KENSETH 10
KYLE BUSCH 12
CARL EDWARDS 12
DENNY HAMLIN 15
DALE EARNHARDT JR 15
KYLE LARSON 20
TONY STEWART 20
KURT BUSCH 25
KASEY KAHNE 25
RYAN NEWMAN 40
CLINT BOWYER 40
JAMIE McMURRAY 40
GREG BIFFLE 40
AUSTIN DILLON 50
BRIAN VICKERS 100
PAUL MENARD 200
MARTIN TRUEX JR 200
AJ ALLMENDINGER 300
TREVOR BAYNE 300
SAM HORNISH JR 300
RICKY STENHOUSE JR 300
DANICA PATRICK 500
FIELD 100