NASCAR Betting – Sprint Cup Futures

After winning five straight Sprint Cup titles it would be silly to think anyone but Jimmie Johnson is the favorite to win the Chase for the Championship this season. The NASCAR betting odds seem to think so, as Johnson is the big chalk heading into the 2011 season opener at Daytona on February 20. Here’s a look at the favorites to claim the Cup:

Jimmie Johnson +250

For a while there it looked like Johnson’s drive for five was dead in the water. However, the No. 48 car finished strong and didn’t place outside of the Top 10 in the final nine races of the schedule. Johnson posted an average finish of 12th and took home six checkered flags.

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Of course, the Hendrick Motorsports star will have an even bigger target on his back this season, which may actually be the way Johnson likes to race. He’s used to being the hunted and drives better under that pressure.

Carl Edwards +600

Edwards has the nerve and the talent to snap Johnson’s Cup streak, but hasn’t proven he can finish a race when running among the leaders. He failed to win a race last season and placed inside the Top 5 only once, posting an average finish of 14th.

Edwards may enter the year more focused on contract talks now that his three-year deal with Roush Fenway Racing is up. Edwards is in position to earn a huge payday off the track, but still hasn’t shown the chops to earn one on it.

Denny Hamlin +600

Hamlin had a breakout season in 2010, winning eight races and finishing just 34 points behind Johnson in the standings. Hamlin started slowly last year, posting an average finish of just over 17th in his first seven races before taking his first win at Texas and catching fire during the middle of the schedule.

He stumbled a bit down the stretch as well, placing outside the Top 10 in the final two races of the Chase. Those mistakes will be fewer as the 30 year old matures behind the wheel and starts his sixth full season at the Sprint Cup level.

Kevin Harvick +800

Harvick held on to the points lead for a while in 2010, putting out consistent efforts every weekend. The No. 29 car took three checkered flags and finished among the Top 5 16 times, good for a third-place showing in the Chase for the Championship.

Harvick placed at least inside the Top 10 in 26 of his 36 starts, earning an average finish of ninth. Richard Childress Racing is sick of seeing Johnson and Hendrick get all the glory. Harvick is their best chance of changing the team’s luck but he may have to go for the throat more than just settle for Top-10 showings, especially with the new points system.

Joey Logano +3,000

If you’re looking for a live dog this NASCAR betting season, Logano is your driver. The 20-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing member is quickly adding to the legacy of the No. 20 Home Depot car.

Along with his teammate Hamlin, Logano is one of the most exciting young drivers to hit the racing scene in some time, placing inside the Top 10 in 16 of his 36 starts – including seven Top-5 performances – last season. He posted an average start of 16th and an average finish of 17th in 2010, showing the consistency needed to climb the standings.

Other notables:

Kyle Busch (+800)

Jeff Gordon (+1,000)

Tony Stewart (+1,000)

Greg Biffle (+1,200)