Johnson is the NASCAR Betting Favorite at Michigan but Not by Much

Jimmie Johnson is the favorite in the NASCAR sportsbook to win this Sunday’s Heluva Good 400.  JJ bounced back after a few sub-par performances to record a 5th place finish at Pocono last week.

JJ needs to win soon.  He hasn’t won since Bristol on March 21st.  He’s still in the top 10 in the Sprint Cup Championship standings, but the rest of his team, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin, haven’t done much this year.  JJ is carrying the Team Hendrick banner.

Joe Gibbs Racing, as opposed to Hendrick, has been super hot.  Both of JJ’s top competitors at Michigan according to the NASCAR odds makers, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, have won a total of 6 races in 2010.

Will one of the Gibbs Boys dominate again on Sunday or will JJ finally come through?

NASCAR:  Heluva Good 400

Where:  Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI

When:  June 13th, 2010 at 1:00 pm EST

Track:  2 miles D-shaped oval

TV:  TNT

Radio:  Motor Racing Network (MRN)

To Win

Best NASCAR Bet A:  Kurt Busch +1000

Kurt’s won twice at Michigan and has 7 total Top 10 finishes.  His average finish on the track isn’t anything special, 20.3, but Kurt’s won 2 races this year, 3 counting the All-Star race, and is going off at better than expected NASCAR betting odds.  Kurt might not be the likeliest winner in the sportsbook, but he’s the best bet based on the wagering odds, recent history in 2010, and past history at Michigan International Speedway.

Best NASCAR Bet B:  Denny Hamlin +500

Denny hasn’t had great success at Michigan.  He only has 4 Top 10 finishes and his average finish on the track is 13.2, but not paying attention to Denny in this race is ridiculous.  Denny knows what he needs to do to win on Sunday.  He’s going to try to “draft” his way until he’s close to the leader and then he’s going to attempt to run on for the victory in the final two laps.  Hamlin is just too hot to ignore in this spot.  He’s already won 4 times this year.

Best Underdog NASCAR Wager:  Carl Edwards +1800

Roush hasn’t been having a very good year.  Neither Greg Biffle nor Carl Edwards has won a race yet in 2010.  Out of the two, Carl is much more suited to take home the Heluva Good 400 trophy on Sunday.  He’s won twice on the track and has finished in the top 10 a total of 10 times.  His average finish on the track is 6.1.  If Carl’s going to win a race this year, this might be the one.  At the betting odds, I have to look his way for my underdog pick at Michigan on Sunday.

Others to Consider

Jimmie Johnson +300 – - There’s a lot of buzz on the chalk but he’s never won at Michigan. 

Jeff Gordon +600 – - Gordo’s won twice at Michigan making him a contender on Sunday.

Kyle Busch +400 – - Kyle’s never had great success at Michigan but he’s been hot lately like teammate, and rival, Denny Hamlin.

Mark Martin +1800 – - I was very close to naming him my top underdog bet in this race because of his 5 victories over the track.

This week, drivers travel to Michigan for the Heluva Good 400! Log onto the NASCAR sportsbook and make wagers on the Heluva Good 400