2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Texas.(credit:
Ford Racing)
Let’s take a look at the top six, that’s half what the field will be, along with a viable long shot.
With 2009 half over, it’s time for BetUS online sportsbook fans to take a look at making a wager on a driver, or drivers, to win the Sprint Cup Championship.
The field is in no way set, but we are getting closer to the top 12, the 12 that will battle it out in the Chase, every week.
As expected, Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing boast the highest number of drivers in the top 12.
NASCAR: Sprint Cup Futures
1. Jimmie Johnson +350 - - Johnson has won 3 Cup Championships in a row. He should be in line to take home a fourth after winning twice already in 2009. Johnson’s average order of finish, 12.7, means that he’s been driving well even though he’s finished out of the top 25 a few times already this year. He has to be considered for a wager because every year, once the Chase starts, Jimmie is the one driving the best.
2. Tony Stewart +450 - - Smoke is currently in 1st place in the Sprint Cup standings. Even though the race he won didn’t get him any points, Stewart has done enough with 6 top five finishes and 9 top ten finishes to put him into the lead. His average order of finish is 9.6. That’s good enough to put him into first place in the standings.
3. Jeff Gordon +400 - - Gordon has one win, 6 top fives and 8 top tens. His average finish is 11.3 this year even though he’s had some races where he couldn’t crack the top 30. Gordon is driving well and up until last week was number one in the Sprint Cup Standings. The only issue is that as the year goes on, Gordon may not get stronger like his teammate, Jimmie Johnson, is expected to do.
4. Kyle Busch +600 - - Kyle isn’t dominating 2009 the way he did 2008. He tailed off once the Chase began in 2008. Could the same thing happen in 2009? I doubt it. If anything, Busch should be stronger this year once the Chase starts because the pressure won’t be nearly as great as it was last year. Busch has 3 victories on the year, including 4 top fives and 5 top tens. He needs to raise his average finish from 16.3 before challenging the top three drivers.
5. Kurt Busch +1000 - - Kyle’s older brother makes the list because he’s currently in 4th place in the Sprint Cup Standings. Kurt has all of the tools to be a factor in the Chase with an average finish of 11.7, 1 victory, 4 top fives and 7 top tens.
6. Ryan Newman +1000 - - Most nascar bettors would consider Newman a long shot but he’s currently in fifth place in the standings even though he hasn’t won a race this year. That’s because he has 4 top five finishes and 7 top ten finishes to go along with an average finish of 13.5. Newman is “Army Strong” this year and could sneak into real contention as the year goes on.
Best Long Shot
Denny Hamlin +1800 - - Joe Gibbs’s other driver hasn’t been that bad in 2009. At odds of 18 to 1, Hamlin is the overlay in the Sportsbook right now as he is in 7th place in the Sprint Cup Standings. Denny hasn’t won a race yet this year, but his 2 top fives and 4 top tens means that he’s driving well. His average finish of 14.2 is better than most also. He can do it if he turns it on once the Chase starts.
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