NASCAR Betting – Food City 500 Preview

NASCAR betting sharps aren’t unlike every other stock car racing fan in the world, in that they could not be more excited about the short track madness that will ensue this week! The good ol’ boys make their way to Bristol Motor Speedway, which has housed some of the most exciting races in NASCAR history, more or less on an annual basis. Bristol brings back memories of every driver’s roots in go-kart racing, with frequent lead changes, and the ever-present threat of a wreck on each and every lap.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to Bristol. The first is to stay out of the line of fire, and race to avoid a crash at all costs. This strategy is plausible given the ease at which drivers can pass one another at Bristol (which also tightens NASCAR odds). Knowing this, drivers don’t have to waste fuel or risk a crash by driving hard all throughout the race. Simply staying somewhat in contention can often times suffice. Those evaluating NASCAR lines will point to the defending champion Jeff Burton (+1800) as proof of this theory. Burton may be the safest driver on the circuit—a cagey veteran who is so safe that he is sponsored by an insurance agency. The No. 31 car has stumbled out of the gate this year, but a track he is proficient on may be all he needs to jump back into championship contention once again.

The 2006 champion falls into the very same category—2009 Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth. Kenseth (+1000) has been the darling of those betting on NASCAR all season long, with two victories and a string of solid finishes. The No. 17 car has shown an incredible diversity this season, and the ability to win on different types of tracks, making him one of the best NASCAR picks this week.

Rounding out the list of the past five winners here are two drivers on the complete opposite end of the spectrum: Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch. One could never accuse either man of being a “defensive” driver, because both are gunning for the checkered flag from the moment the green one drops. Busch (+500) is off to another mammoth season, with a victory at Atlanta, and several more in the Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series. Edwards (+450), the favorite, has yet to be able to pull out his traditional victorious back flip, but if he makes it three wins in six starts here, NASCAR betting sharps can expect one!