2008 Pepsi 500 Predictions & Preview
August 27, 2008
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is heading back to Fontana this weekend for the 2008 Pepsi 500 held at the Auto Club Speedway in California. The first race held at Auto Club Speedway was the Auto Club 500, where Carl Edwards took home the checkered flag. Edwards has continued his winning ways over the last two weeks after he took home the win 3M Performance 400 and most recently the Sharpie 500 last week. The defending champion of the Pepsi 500 belongs to the previous season champion Jimmie Johnson, but 2008 hasn’t gone so well as he only has managed 2 wins this season. With only 2 races left till the final 12 drivers are set for the 10 race playoffs, there are still some drivers fighting for a spot. To help you get going on the race this weekend, Jason Lowry is going to bring you his weekly 1-2-3 prediction.
1. Jimmie Johnson +525 odds at BetUS.com
Johnson is one of 3 drivers to have multiple wins on this track, and has finished 2nd 4 times alone in his career, so there is no question that Johnson loves to race here. We have mentioned that things haven’t gone so well, but thats only because Johnson has set such high standards after his last 2 seasons. Sitting in 4th behind teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr, its not like the season is a complete disappointment. Johnson is known for picking it up late in the season, and we think it all could start this week at the Pepsi 500.
2. Carl Edwards +400 odds at BetUS.com
There is no question it is looking more and more like a 2 man show for the points championship this season, and Edwards continues to climb closer and closer to Busch. After winning the past two weeks, things just keep getting better for this driver, as he has really raced well here at Auto Club Speedway. Over his career he has 1 win and 6 top 5 finishes, making him a real threat to win this weekend.
3. Matt Kenseth +800 odds at BetUS.com
Kenseth is another driver that you have to keep a realy close eye on this weekend, as he has really raced well here over the last 3 years finishing in the top 10 in his last 6 races held at Auto Club Speedway, including back-to-back wins at the Auto Club 500 in 2006 and 2007. Kenseth hasn’t got a win this season, but still sits pretty safe at 10th in the points standings. We think if Edwards and Johnson screws up, this could be the week Kenseth finally enters into victory lane.
If you want to get a bet in on any of these 3 drivers to win this weekend, be sure to get an account up and running at BetUS.com today. Also we have provided a complete list of every drivers odds below. If you want some more information on the race this weekend check out these Pepsi 500 predictions.
AJ Allmendinger +10000
Bobby Labonte +10000
Brian Vickers +2500
Carl Edwards +400
Casey Mears +10000
Clint Bowyer +5000
Dale Earnhardt Jr +1200
Dave Blaney +10000
David Gilliland +10000
David Ragan +2500
David Reutimann +10000
Denny Hamlin +1600
Elliott Sadler +5000
Greg Biffle +1200
Jamie McMurray +10000
Jeff Burton +3500
Jeff Gordon +1400
Jimmie Johnson +525
Juan Pablo Montoya +10000
Kasey Kahne +1400
Kevin Harvick +3000
Kurt Busch +5000
Kyle Busch +400
Martin Truex Jr +4000
Matt Kenseth +800
Michael Waltrip +10000
Paul Menard +10000
Reed Sorenson +10000
Ryan Newman +6000
Sam Hornish Jr +10000
Tony Stewart +1000
Travis Kvapil +10000