Alabama 500 Predictions
The 2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Series hosts its fifth playoff race of the postseason today, the Alabama 500. Here are some of the drivers we like to contend for the victory.
According to the latest oddsmakers, Brad Keselowski is now listed as a 6/1 favorite to win today. Other short odds to win are Dale Earnhardt Jr. (7/1) and Kyle Busch (9/1). The Alabama 500 takes place today at 2PM ET from Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama.
Jimmie Johnson could use a win today and he has 12/1 odds to prevail. Johnson is seventh in the standings right now, but only 8 points ahead of the cut line to advance to the next stage of the playoffs with two races remaining. Johnson is a two-time winner at this track and his 88.1 driver rating at Talladega puts him fifth in the field. Look for the defending series champion to have another strong run today to keep his playoffs hopes strong.
Joey Logano has nothing at stake for today, but I expect him to still show some pride and contend for the win. He is the two-time defending champion of this race and is listed with 12/1 odds to win today. His driver rating at Talladega is 84.6, which puts him seventh in today’s field. Logano could use a little positive momentum to end his poor 2017 and I think he can get it at a track that has been very good to him.
Jamie McMurray is a dark horse pick I really like today. McMurray has 25/1 odds to win today, but he is in the thick of the playoffs right now. Despite being winless on the year, McMurray currently sits eighth in the standings, 1 point ahead of Matt Kenseth on the cut line with two races left in this stage. McMurray is a two-time winner at Talladega in his career, making it one of his better tracks. His last win actually came at Talladega. He has been able to put together good finishes throughout the year, now he has to get desperate and pick up a win if he hopes to win the championship.
