NASCAR from Talladega – Aaron’s 499 Preview

Mark Martin returned to victory lane for the first time in nearly four years last week and he should be on NASCAR betting fans’ radar again this weekend when the Sprint Cup Series rolls into Talladega Superspeedway for the Aaron’s 499.

Martin claimed the checkered flag at Phoenix International Raceway in last weekend’s Subway Fresh Fit 500, which was also his first Top-5 finish this season. Martin has had success at Talladega in the past with two career victories on the track, but they were both more than a decade ago. If Martin can turn back the clock and drive into victory lane at Talladega once again he’ll pay off as a +1500 underdog on the NASCAR odds.

If Martin doesn’t cross the finish line first this weekend don’t be surprised if it’s another Hendrick Motorsports driver instead. Hendrick’s other three drivers, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., have a combined 11 career wins at Talladega with Gordon leading the pack with six. Gordon continues to lead the driver standings despite his season-worst 25th-place finish last weekend at Phoenix. Gordon holds an 85-point lead over Johnson, whose lone win at Talladega came in the Aaron’s 499 in 2006. Earnhardt Jr. has won three times at Talladega, including back-to-back wins in 2002-03, and a win this weekend would be a real kickstart to what has been a disappointing season. Gordon leads the Hendrick team on the NASCAR odds this weekend at +800, followed by Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. both at +900.

Gordon and Johnson may be the most consistent drivers in the Sprint Cup Series so far this season, but they’re not the favorites on the NASCAR odds this weekend. That title goes to defending Aaron’s 499 winner Kyle Busch at +500. Busch registered his first career win at Talladega last season and he’s one of two drivers (along with Matt Kenseth) to record two wins this season. Busch has struggled lately, with his 17th-place finish at Phoenix last week being his best result in his last three races. Busch’s win at Talladega last season was the beginning of an amazing run during which he posted three straight Top-3 finishes. If he runs well this weekend a similar run is definitely within his reach.