Sprint Cup All-Star Challenge – Race Matchups

The NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Challenge, in which a handful of drivers are invited to the race, offers something that some NASCAR races haven’t this year. The ability to bet race matchups in the BetOnline online sportsbook with a limited number of drivers entered.

I’m a huge believer in matchup betting. It’s a good way for bettors to increase their chances of cashing a ticket while still getting profits. Of course, the odds are much lower than if gamblers chose to put money on the winner of a NASCAR race.

But the advantages are too good to pass up when it comes to matchup betting.

Let’s analyze the most intriguing matchups in this Saturday’s Sprint Cup All-Star Challenge.

NASCAR: Sprint Cup All-Star Challenge Race Matchups

1. Kyle Busch -125 vs. Jimmie Johnson -105 - – Jimmie bounced back at Darlington last week when finishing 2nd to Mark Martin. What was impressive was that Jimmie started in 42nd place. Johnson has 5 victories at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, as should be expected since Lowe’s sponsors #48, while Kyle has zero. I have to go with the driver with experience and odds in this match-up.

Pick: Jimmie Johnson at -105

2. Tony Stewart -125 vs. Matt Kenseth -105 – - Kenseth only has one victory at Lowe’s which is exactly what Stewart has. The difference is that Smoke has been driving much better lately with a 3rd place finish at Darlington and a 2nd place finish in the Crown Royal 400. Stewart wins in this matchup.

Pick: Tony Stewart at -125

3. Kurt Busch -125 vs. Denny Hamlin -105 - – With zero victories and zero top five finishes at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Hamlin is up against it in this matchup. Then again, Kurt Busch has zero victories and only 3 top fives at Lowe’s. In a matchup where somebody has to step up, my money will be on Hamlin because the odds are better and he’s having a fairly dazzling year for a young driver.

Pick: Denny Hamlin at -105

4. Jeff Burton -130 vs. Kevin Harvick Ev - – Burton has 3 victories at Lowe’s while Harvick has zero. Burton has also had a fairly decent season while Harvick hasn’t done much since his February 7th Budweiser Shoot Out victory. I just don’t see Harvick beating Burton in this matchup.

Pick: Jeff Burton at -130

5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -150 vs. Clint Bowyer +120 – - This is the sort of matchup that gamblers can either live or die off of. Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t been horrid this season but neither has Bowyer. Both of these guys figure to be fighting to get into the Top 12 for the Sprint Cup Chase for the rest of this year. Dale Jr. has never won at Lowe’s. Neither has Bowyer. When in doubt, always go for the odds. That’s my motto and that’s what I’ll be doing with this matchup.

Pick: Clint Bowyer at +120

6. Jeff Gordon -120 vs. Mark Martin -110 – - This is a very tough matchup. My gut tells me that Gordon wins this matchup, but I don’t really have any facts to back it up. I mean, Martin has two victories on the season. Gordon is driving better than anyone else in terms of the Sprint Cup Chase. Both fellas sit behind the wheel for Hendrick Motorsports. I love how Martin has rejuvenated his career in 2009 but Gordon is probably the safer wager in this matchup because he’s going to really, really want to win this All-Star race.

Pick: Jeff Gordon at -120