Formula 1 Returns – Australian Grand Prix Preview

With Formula 1 returning on Sunday and NASCAR in full swing racing betting fans get even more opportunities to cash in this weekend.

The Sprint Cup Series heads to Martinsville Speedway this weekend for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500. Last week at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch dominated the field to record his second victory of the season in the Food City 500. If Busch can claim the checkered flag again this weekend it would be his first career win at Martinsville. Even though he’s never won at Martinsville before Busch will likely be the favorite considering how dominantly he has raced in his two wins this season.

Last season at Martinsville Denny Hamlin won the Goody’s 500, while Jimmie Johnson won the other race held at Martinsville later in the year, the Tums QuikPak 500. It was Hamlin’s first win on the track, but Johnson has had tremendous success at Martinsville in the past with five career wins there. The only driver in this weekend’s field that has more wins at Martinsville than Johnson is Jeff Gordon with seven. Gordon last won at Martinsville in 2005, when he swept both races, and even though he has gone without a win so far this season he leads the current driver standings thanks to three Top-5 finishes.

The new Formula 1 season begins this weekend in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix. Last year’s drivers championship came down to the final race with Lewis Hamilton claiming his first career title after edging Felipe Massa by a single point.

Hamilton began last season with a win in Melbourne and he’ll likely be among the favorites to repeat as race winner this weekend. Other former Australian Grand Prix winners looking for another win this weekend include 2007 winner Kimi Raikkonen and 2006 winner Fernando Alonso. Oddly enough, four of the last five championship winners have started the season with a victory in Australia.

Heading into the new season Hamilton is favored to repeat as F1 champion on the racing odds at +300. 2007 season champion Raikkonen follows him at +350, while Massa, last year’s runner-up for the championship, is a +400 underdog. Former two-time champion Fernando Alonso is a +450 underdog and could be a solid darkhorse pick after he posted a strong finish to last season.