NASCAR Auto Club 500 – Picking the Top 3

The Auto Club 500 is this Sunday and a lot of the NASCAR drivers that didn’t fair to well at Daytona will be looking to turn things around.

A few of those, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart for example, have a nice shot to win the Auto Club 500.  Some of those drivers, like Jimmie Johnson, are ranked high in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

Jeff, Tony and Jimmie all have a shot to finish in the Top Three as does Matt Kenseth who actually won at Daytona last weekend.

Let’s analyze Top Three betting for the Auto Club 500.

NASCAR:  Auto Club 500 Top Three

1. Tony Stewart +500 – - Smoke finished 8th at Daytona last Sunday.  He should make a run for the top prize in the Auto Club 500 which means he’s a top pick to finish in the Top Three.

2. Jeff Gordon +400 – - Unlike Stewart, Gordon didn’t get into the top ten at Daytona.  That’s okay.  He’s a serious player in this because he’s had success at Fontana and Gordon’s crew should build upon the top fifteen Daytona run.

3. Carl Edwards +125 – - The odds on Carl to finish in the Top Three are extremely low but he’s done extremely well at Fontana in the past and should make his presence felt in this.

4. Clint Bowyer +1000 – - Bowyer finished fourth at Daytona.  A simple adjustment this Sunday might lead him to the winner’s circle.  A top three placing could be in the cards for Clint.

5. Kyle Busch +150 – - Busch should bounce back and lead for most of this race.  If that happens, he might not hold on for a victory but a Top Three finish is very likely.

6. Matt Kenseth +300 – - The Daytona champ will be trying to make his second fantastic run in a row.  He’s definitely good enough to do it and nobody can doubt his crew after the Daytona victory.  Does he keep the good times rolling with a Top Three finish in the Auto Club 500?

Best Long Shots

• Juan Pablo Montoya +1500 – - He’ll break through eventually.  I picked him as a long shot to win the Auto Club 500.  So, I really believe he’s got an outside shot to finish in the Top Three.
• Joey Logano +1500 – - He’s too green to win but he could make a run and find himself close.  A Top Three finish would make Joey smile for days.
• Martin Truex Jr. +1200 – - Truex Jr. is a good driver but like so many others in NASCAR, he and his crew haven’t put it all together yet.  A Top Three finish could happen for him at Fontana.