NASCAR from Bristol Motor Speedway – Food City 500 Free Pick

The Food City 500 will be contested over the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Connecticut this Sunday.

Carl Edwards, the favorite to win in the BetOnline sportsbook, was the victor of last year’s Sharpie 500 in August at Bristol. Jeff Burton won the Food City 500 in March of 2008.

Can Carl or Jeff B. win at Bristol in 2009?

Maybe, but a number of other drivers will be standing in their way.

Let’s take a look at the chances of some of the drivers to win the Food City 500.

NASCAR: Food City 500 To Win

1. Kyle Busch +500 – - Kyle’s going off at higher odds than Carl, but is actually a better bet to me. Busch won to weeks ago in the Shelby 427 in Las Vegas. The fact that he was terrible in the Kobalt last Sunday is actually a sign to me that he’s going to be ultra-tough in this.

2. Jeff Gordon +600 – - Gordo finished second to Kurt Busch in last Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500. He could take that finish and build upon it to a victory in the Food City 500. Gordon is driving with much more aggression this year than 2008. Eventually, it’s going to lead to a victory.

3. Carl Edwards +450 – - Carl is ranked in the NASCAR Power Rankings, but he’s not been nearly as effective in early 2009 as he was in early 2008. Edwards is a top flight driver and he’ll break through eventually. The odds makers believe it will be this Sunday in the Food City.

4. Kevin Harvick +1200 – - Harvick is driving well enough for consideration in the Food City. His fourth place finish in the Kobalt tells me that he’s going to be tough in this race. He’s got a shot.

5. Jeff Burton +1800 – - Burton won the Food City 500 in 2008. That means he has a shot in 2009. The odds, 18 to 1, don’t justify his real chances. Burton should be no more than a 10 to 1 shot in this. I might bet Burton just on principle.

6. Jimmie Johnson +1000 – - How could I leave Jimmie off of the list? He finished 9th in the Kobalt Tools, is going off at double-digit odds, and no doubt was all over his crew this past week for the poor showings so far in 2009. Jimmie has a real big shot in this.

Best Long Shots

Brian Vickers +2500 – - Vickers has been close to terrific this year considering nobody talked about him at the beginning of the season. He’s really improved and has a shot in this race.

Clint Bowyer +1800 – - Bowyer has improved tons as well. I’ve always liked Clint as a driver. Now, it appears he has the crew and cars to get the job done. He’s on the cusp of a victory.