The Pocono Raceway will once again host the Sprint Cup Series as the best stock car drivers take the track for the Gobowling.com 400. As the days wind down toward the Chase for the Sprint Cup, the races have been getting tighter than ever.
Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have led the way at this track this season, but as their fortunes here have proven already this season, anything can happen when the rubber hits the road. Read on for our breakdown of the leaders and long shots heading into this weekend’s action.
Favorites – Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Brad Keselowski (+400) was on the way to win the Pocono 400 in June when debris found its way to his grill, causing his engine to heat up. He was forced to take a pit stop and eventually surrendered the win to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nevertheless, Keselowski was impressive at the track, navigating the turns with speed and leading for a whopping 95 laps.
The loss lit a fire in Keselowski as he has proceeded go on a terrific run. He recorded a third-place finish at Michigan and followed that up with two wins at Kentucky and New Hampshire in the last four races to rank him first in the Sprint Cup Series.
[sc:NASCAR240banner ]The beneficiary of Keselowski’s mishap, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (+800), recorded his first multi-win season since 2004 with wins at Pocono and Daytona. Since Earnhardt Jr.’s win at Pocono, the famous racer has also gone on a hot streak, with five top-10 finishes in six races. Earnhardt Jr. is currently ranked fourth in the Sprint Cup Series.
High-Value Picks – Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson
Kurt Busch has raced well at the Pocono Raceway with seven top-10 finishes since 2009. This season, Busch has a win at Martinsville before a slump had him failing to make the top-10 in seven races. He then broke out of the down stretch with a third place finish at the Pocono 400. Busch then earned more points with another third place finish, this time at Daytona. With the Gobowling.com 400 being held at the Pocono Raceway, Busch will have another chance to record a multi-win season at +1,500.
Sprint Cup rookie Kyle Larson (+2,000) showed promise in his debut at the Pocono Raceway, impressively cutting its sharp corners en route to a fifth-place finish, which he followed up with three more top-10 finishes, including a third place finish at New Hampshire. With how Larson has raced this season, he is certainly one of the top contenders for the Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year award.
Long Shot – Jamie McMurray
Jamie McMurray (+6,000) has five top-10 finishes and two top-fives this season. One of his top-10 finishes came from the Pocono 400 in June, so a repeat or better may be in store for him at the Gobowling.com 400. McMurray does well at marquee events winning this year’s NASCAR All-Star race then following it up with a top-five finish at Charlotte.
Writer’s Prediction
Brad Keselowski’s dominance has made him look like a driver of a different class. Keselowski gets his fourth win in the series this season.
The Sprint Cup Series has been very exciting, even more now that the Chase is within reach. Create a betting account now to enjoy some high-octane betting action.
