2008 Bud Shootout Picks
The 2008 NASCAR Sprint season officially kicks off this Saturday with the running of the 30th Annual Bud Shootout. For those unfamiliar with this particular race the Bud Shootout features past NASCAR Cup Series Champions, past Bud Shootout winners and Bud Pole Award winners from the 2007 Cup season.
This year’s field will see 23 different drivers vying for the $1.1 million purse in this non-points race at Daytona International Speedway. The 2008 Bud Shootout will feature 6 past Cup Champions, 9 previous Bud Shootout winners and 8 Bud Pole winners from 2007.
We hate to say it but this race will most likely kick off the 2008 season the same way the 2007 season ended and that is with the dynamic duo of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson riding out front. We know everyone in Junior Nation will be upset (please don’t email us or burn anything in our office lawn) but the fact remains that Dale Earnhardt Jr. still has a lot of work to do to get back to his previous form. It’s gonna take a little more than a new number, a new uniform and a new ride to get “Little E” back to where he once was.
When handicapping this race there are a couple things to consider. The most important of which is that it’s a non-points paying race. Why is this important? Two words, Flat Out. When all that is on the line is a fat check you can count on an old school beating and banging, balls to the wall NASCAR throw down.
Secondly, about half the field in this race doesn’t have a chance in hell of taking the checkers unless 22 other cars wreck out. Those drivers are; Biffle, Blaney, Elliot, Gilliland, Jarrett, McMurray, Schrader and Sorenson. For those of you who aren’t that good at math that is about 1/3 of Saturday’s field. Makes things a whole lot easier now doesn’t it.
If you want to just take our tips and go out on your own, have at it. For those of you who value our advice, here are the official picks for the 2008 Bud Shootout from our NASCAR handicapping experts.
Take Jimmie Johnson – Currently +500 at Bodog
If you are looking for a long winded explanation of why this is our best bet, you aren’t gonna find it. Frankly, if you have to ask why, you really have no business betting on NASCAR in the first place. We will make it real easy for you: Johnson = Stud. Nuff said.
Take Kasey Kahne – Currently +2000 at Bodog
How can we not take the Budweiser car in the Bud Shootout? Seriously though, there is a method to our madness.
Kahne led all the test sessions at Daytona by being the only driver to crack 189mph and also turned the fastest lap of any Dodge. On top of all that he was the fastest in the draft which is what it’s all about at these super speedways. Put all that together with a 20-1 price and it’s just too sweet a deal to let go.
Drivers Entered in the 2008 Bud Shootout & Current Odds
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