Shelby American Picks
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday for the 2010 Shelby American, which is always a favorite stop for both drivers and fans.
Ever since it was repaved and reshaped, the changes have definitely improved the racing action and shifted the balance of power as well.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the track Jimmie Johnson dominated at one time, finishing with three straight wins at one point. But in two starts on the new surface, he hasn’t finished better than 24th. With its new layout, Las Vegas is nothing like it was prior to 2008 and some drivers just haven’t adapted to it yet.
Las Vegas can be a tough track to predict -even in a normal year. But throw in the resurgence of Richard Childress Racing and Rousch Racing and we could very well see a driver in the winner’s circle on Sunday that we haven’t seen in sometime.
Kasey Kahne 25/1
It has been two races and two wrecks for Kasey Kahne to begin the 2010 season, but lady luck could be smiling on him this weekend. He has an 8.5 finishing average in two starts on the newly configured track, and he recorded two top-four finishes in four starts on the original layout. So far this year, Kahne has looked strong but due to accidents oddsmakers are overlooking him this weekend. Thus, you’re getting lots of value on a track he has shown a fondness for.
Jeff Burton 15/1
Jeff Burton returns to one of his favorite tracks and the new layout hasn’t seemed to faze him at all. His 9.8 average finish at Las Vegas is the best among active drivers and he has posted back-to-back top-five finishes here. Last season, he finished third in this race in a down year for Richard Childress Racing. While this week’s odds seem low, it’s hard to pick against Burton with the way he has looked this year, coupled with his fondness for Las Vegas.
Live Longshot
Dale Earnhardt Jr 30/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has finished 11th or better in three straight starts at Las Vegas, including a second place finish in 2008. One track very similar to Las Vegas is Texas, which is one of Junior’s better tracks so we think he should be in contention again at a very nice price.
Posted: 2/26/10 12:00PM ET
