Category: NASCAR Picks and Predictions

2022 M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 NASCAR odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 in Lond Pond, Pa., with NASCAR odds, picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series is at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., Sunday for the 2022 M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400. The green flag is set to drop a little after 3 p.m. ET (USA Network). Below we analyze the 2022 M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 160 laps and 400 miles on the 2½-mile, 3-turn track, also known as “The Tricky Triangle.” The track has 14-degree banking in Turn 1, 8-degree banking in Turn 2 and 6-degree banking in Turn 3.

The 2022 M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 is the only NASCAR race of the season at Pocono for the first time since 1981.

2022 M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400: What you need to know

  • Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch picked up the victory in the second end of a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader at Pocono last June after starting from the 19th position.
  • In the front end of the double dip last year, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman posted a win after starting from the unlucky 13th position.
  • The last 5 winners at Pocono Raceway have started from the 9th position or higher.
  • Toyota has dominated in Long Pond, posting victories in 7 of the last 9 races at the track, while Ford and Chevy have just 1 win apiece during the span.
  • JGR’s Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers with 6 victories and an 11.1 average-finish position (AFP), while leading 797 laps with 14 top-5 runs in 32 Cup starts.

[tipico]

M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:35 p.m. ET.

HAMLIN (+750) has dominated at Pocono over the years, and it’s difficult to bet against him. Two of those victories have been recent, in 2019 and 2020. He has had 3 DNFs in his 32 career Cup starts at Pocono, but he also had finished outside of the top 5 on just 18 occasions. He is a better bet than anyone in the field.

KYLE BUSCH (+750) is also a strong play. He is 2nd among all drivers with 4 Pocono wins. He has been up and down at this track, posting a 15.1 AFP with 6 DNFs while also leading 522 laps. What a perfect story it would be if the M&M’s-sponsored car wins the M&M’s race.

M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 picks – Long shot

Sure, KURT BUSCH (+2000) isn’t a super long shot, but he also isn’t among the favorites. He has been to Victory Lane on 3 different occasions at the Tricky Triangle, posting a 14.4 AFP with 14 top-5 finishes among 21 top-10 runs and 596 laps led.

M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 prop picks

WINNING MANUFACTURER – TOYOTA (+162)

Toyota has won 7 of the past 9 Cup races at this track, and Hamlin and Kyle Busch are 1-2 in terms of active driver wins in Long Pond. Toss in the fact Martin Truex Jr. also has 2 victories here with a 14.7 AFP in 32 Cup starts, and it’s hard to argue against Toyota.

ERIK JONES TOP-10 FINISH (+200)

The Petty GMS Motorsports driver had success in the JGR program in his recent Pocono starts. He has a respectable 14.4 AFP with 5 top-5 runs in 10 career Cup starts at the 3-turn track. For a chance to double up, Jones is worth taking a flier. He had a 4th-place finish in Atlanta 2 weeks ago, and he is 11th or better in 2 of his previous 4 starts.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2022 Ambetter 301 NASCAR odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Ambetter 301 in Loudon, N.H., with NASCAR odds, picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon Sunday for the 2022 Ambetter 301. The green flag is set to drop a little after 3 p.m. ET (USA). Below we analyze the 2022 Ambetter 301 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 301 laps on the 1.058-mile flat track quad-oval at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Since the start of the 2018 season New Hampshire has hosted just one race per year, and it has bounced up and down between July and August on the schedule. Last July, it was Aric Almirola steering his Ford to Victory Lane, claiming checkers for that manufacturer for the 4th consecutive race.

2022 Ambetter 301: What you need to know

  • Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads all drivers with a 9.6 Average-Finish Position in 28 career starts on the flat track at Loudon. He is tied with teammate Kyle Busch and his older brother Kurt Busch with 3 victories.
  • Kevin Harvick leads all drivers with 4 wins at NHMS in 38 career starts, posting a 12.4 AFP with 13 top-5 finishes and 22 top-10 runs.
  • Kyle Busch leads all active drivers with 1,134 laps led at this track, while turning in a 14.3 AFP in 30 career starts.
  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman has struggled mightily at this New England stop, posting a 23.2 AFP while managing just 1 top-10 finish in 10 Cup starts.
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr. hasn’t been much better than Bowman, posting just 1 top-10 finish in 19 Cup starts, leading just 13 laps while posting a 22.7 AFP.

[tipico]

Ambetter 301 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:05 a.m. ET.

HAMLIN (+1000) is a strong play based upon his career numbers at this track. In his 28 career Cup starts he has finished outside of the top 10 just 11 times, leading 755 laps. He has also never had a DNF at the track.

KEVIN HARVICK (+1200) has been one of the strongest drivers on flat tracks, and he has certainly had his share of success at New Hampshire. In his 38 Cup starts, he has finished inside the top 10 an amazing 22 times. He has led 831 laps, and his 12.4 AFP is among the best.

Ambetter 301 picks – Long shot

COLE CUSTER (+20000) is worth a small-unit play. He has been a quick study in his 2 Cup starts at NHMS, finishing 8th and 14th, good for an 11.0 AFP. That’s 3rdd-best among active drivers with at least 2 Cup starts at the track. He is worth a roll of the dice for a big-time payday.

Ambetter 301 prop picks

DENNY HAMLIN – TOP TOYOTA (+270)

It’s a little bit of a risk, but I like Hamlin to have a strong race Sunday. Hamlin can help you earn more than 2 1/2 times your potential return, and his biggest competition will be from Kyle Busch (+230) and Martin Truex Jr. (+270). Both of those drivers have been strong at NHMS, too.

COLE CUSTER TOP-10 FINISH (+750)

Again, Custer has finished 8th and 14th in his 2 Cup runs at Loudon. While the chances of him winning are rather slim, a top-10 finish is certainly a lot more doable. This number represents a tremendous value that’s too hard to pass on.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2022 Quaker State 400 NASCAR odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Quaker State 400 in Hampton, Ga., with NASCAR odds, picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., Sunday for the 2022 Quaker State 400. The green flag is set to drop a little after 3 p.m. ET (USA). Below we analyze the 2022 Quaker State 400 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 260 laps on the 1.54-mile long quad-oval at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

This is the second stop of the season at the venerable track outside of Greater Atlanta. Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron won the 501-mile run in late March, averaging 126.584 mph in a race that featured a record 46 lead changes, besting the 45 lead changes in the 1982 Fall Race when Bobby Allison raced to checkers in his Buick.

2022 Quaker State 400: What you need to know

  • After 5 consecutive victories by Ford from February 2017 to March 2021, Chevrolet has raced to Victory Lane in the last 2  installments.
  • Chevrolet and Ford both have 5 Atlanta wins since the Fall Race in 2013. That’s the last time Toyota has been able to pick up checkers at this track.
  • B’s are wild – as Byron, Kurt Busch and Ryan Blaney have won the past 3 races in Atlanta.
  • Hendrick’s Chase Elliott is on the pole after Saturday’s qualifying round was wiped out by rain.
  • Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain will start on the outside of Row 1, with Road America winner Tyler Reddick going off from the third spot.

[tipico]

Quaker State 400 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:36 a.m. ET.

ELLIOTT (+1000) is listed as the co-favorite with Chastain and Blaney. The Georgia native is a much better play than those 2 drivers. In 8 career starts at his home track, Elliott has yet to win, but he has a top-5 finish and 6 top-10 runs with 68 laps led. He also leads all active drivers with a 12.6 Average-Finish Position (AFP).

KURT BUSCH (+2000) is worth a roll of the dice, as he leads all active drivers with 4 career wins in Atlanta with 9 top-5 runs, 17 top-10 finishes and 952 laps led with a 14.6 AFP.

Quaker State 400 picks – Long shot

BRAD KESELOWSKI (+3000) has struggled with his new team in 2022, but he could be dangerous at AMS. Keselowski has 2 wins, 4 top-5 finishes and 9 top-10 runs in 15 career Atlanta starts while posting a 15.0 AFP. As such, he is worth a small-unit play.

In addition, KESELOWSKI TOP-10 FINISH (+155) at plus-money is still a pretty solid value, and likely a lot more realistic.

Quaker State 400 prop picks

CHRIS BUESCHER TOP-10 FINISH (+140)

Buescher is worth a look for a top-10 run. He has made 8 starts in Atlanta during his Cup Series career, posting 3 top-10 finishes with a 17.3 AFP, improving from an Average Start Position of 21.9.

MARTIN TRUEX JR. – GROUP 4 WINNER (+240)

Truex Jr. is the favorite to finish better than Alex Bowman (+240), Austin Cindric (+260) and Chase Briscoe (+260).

MTJ has 25 career Atlanta Cup starts under his belt, posting 6 top-5 finishes and 13 top-10 runs while leading 356 laps. He has 4 DNFs, tied for the most among all active drivers, so there is some risk. But he has the highest AFP of the 4 drivers in Group 4.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2022 Kwik Trip 250 NASCAR odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s 2022 Kwik Trip 250 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., with NASCAR odds, picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., Sunday for the 2022 Kwik Trip 250 presented by JOCKEY Made in America. The green flag is set to drop a little after 3 p.m. ET (USA). Below we analyze the 2022 Kwik Trip 250 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 62 laps and 250 miles on the 4.048-mile road course at Road America which features elevation change and 14 turns. The Cup Series returned to the track in 2021 after a 65-year hiatus.

There aren’t a lot of recent results at this track, although it is a historic track dating back to the early days of NASCAR. There are also plenty of active drivers with experience on this Wisconsin road course from their days in the Xfinity Series.

2022 Kwik Trip 250: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott won the 2021 race, leading 24 laps after starting in the 34th position.
  • TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain won the 1st road course stop of the season, edging out A.J. Allmendinger at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, in late March.
  • At Sonoma in mid-June, Daniel Suarez came up with his 1st-ever NASCAR Cup Series victory on the road course in the Toyota/Save Mart 350.
  • Penske Racing’s Austin Cindric managed a 38th-place finish last season in one of his few starts as a part-time driver for Penske. However, in 5 Xfinity races at Road America he has a win, 36 laps led and a 12.8 Average-Finish Position (AFP), so he has plenty of good experience here.
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell also has an Xfinity Series win at this track in his 3 starts on the circuit, and he was a runner-up last season in the NASCAR Cup Series.

[tipico]

Kwik Trip 250 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:23 a.m. ET.

ELLIOTT (+350) is listed as the favorite, and the defending champ has been a tremendous road course driver throughout his career. This is the safest play on the board given his win last year, moving all the way up from a starting position of 34th.

CHASE BRISCOE (+750) was a respectable 6th last season. Like Elliott, the driver of the No. 14 car was forced to matriculate his way up through the field from an ugly starting spot of 35th.

In addition to a small-unit play on the outright win, take a look at BRISCOE TOP-10 FINISH (+100).

Kwik Trip 250 picks – Long shot

BELL (+2000) acquitted himself well here in the Cup Series last season with a runner-up finish. JGR’s Bell has been a little disappointment overall, but he can wash all of that bad taste away with a victory on this road course. As mentioned, this will be his 5th career start at the track, once on the Cup Series, and 3 times in the Xfinity Series with 1 win and 10 laps led.

Kwik Trip 250 prop picks

AUSTIN CINDRIC TOP-5 FINISH (+140)

The driver of the No. 2 Ford has an Xfinity win under his belt at this track. While last season’s finish was a disaster, he was able to lead 2 laps before a rear gear issue forced him out of the race.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2022 Ally 400 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s 2022 Ally 400 odds at Nashville Superspeedway, with NASCAR odds, picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday for the 2022 Ally 400. The green flag is set to drop a little after 5 p.m. ET (NBC). Below we analyze the 2022 Ally 400 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 300 laps and 400 miles on the 1.3-mile oval at Nashville Superspeedway. The Cup Series made its debut at the track in 2021.

2022 Ally 400: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson posted the victory in last season’s inaugural race, leading 264 of the 300 laps after starting from the 5th position. Larson goes off 3rd Sunday.
  • Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin picked up the pole honors after Saturday’s rain-shortened, qualifying session. He finished 21st last season in Nashville after starting 13th.
  • Current TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, who drove for Chip Ganassi last season, was a runner-up to Larson at this track last year. He started 19th and led 4 laps before his 2nd-place finish. The Florida watermelon farmer will start from the 7th spot Sunday.
  • Hendrick’s Chase Elliott actually led the 2nd-most laps to his teammate Larson last season in Nashville, turning 13 laps in first. However, a disqualification after a post-race inspection due to loose lug nuts dropped him to 39th.

[tipico]

Ally 400 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:30 a.m. ET.

LARSON (+480) is listed as the favorite, and rightly so after he dominated this track last season en route to the Cup Series inaugural win. Nobody was better, or even close, to the No. 5 machine.

However, HAMLIN (+900) is worth a roll of the dice since he is going off from the pole position. He struggled at the track in 2021, dropping 8 spots from his original starting spot. But it’s always nice to be out front and see a bunch of clean air to start.

Ally 400 picks – Long shot

ARIC ALMIROLA (+4000) ended up in 4th place at last season’s inaugural Music City race. He has been a bit uneven this season in what will be his final time racing a full schedule.

The “Cuban Missile” is also a worth a look in the props section. Playing an ALMIROLA TOP-10 FINISH (+130) is still plus-money.

Ally 400 prop picks

AUSTIN DILLON TOP-10 FINISH (+220)

The driver of the No. 3 machine, who is also now a reality TV star, posted a respectable 12th-place showing last season after scooting up from a starting spot of 28th.

DANIEL SUAREZ TOP-10 FINISH (-125)

Suarez has had 2 weeks to celebrate, becoming just the 5th foreign-born driver to secure checkers in a Cup Series win with his successful Sonoma run. He will look to build upon the confidence of that victory, and should be able to run inside the top 10 on the 1.3-mile oval.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2022 Toyota/Save Mart 350 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s 2022 Toyota/Save Mart 350 odds at in Sonoma, Calif., with NASCAR odds, picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series comes to Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Sunday for the 2022 Toyota/Save Mart 350. The green flag is set to drop a little after 4 p.m. ET (FS1). Below we analyze the 2022 Toyota/Save Mart 350 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 110 laps and 350 kilometers at Sonoma Raceway. The track has been reconfigured to incorporate the popular “Chute”, making Turn 7 a high-speed corner, which has had plenty of passing and incidents in the past.

With the Carousel gone, and the Chute returning, the race length remains the same, but we now have 110 laps, rather than 90 in 2021. Martin Truex Jr. was the last driver to win using the Chute configuration back in 2018.

2022 Toyota/Save Mart 350: What you need to know

  • Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson picked up the checkered flag last season in the Carousel layout, snapping a 2-race win streak at Sears Point by Truex.
  • Ford hasn’t been to Victory Lane at Sonoma since July 2017 when Kevin Harvick raced to checkers. Ford has just 2 wins in the past 18 races at the course, too.
  • Truex posted an average speed of 82.882 mph in June 2018 in the most recent track configuration featuring The Chute, and the high-speed Turn 7.
  • Erik Jones actually leads all active drivers with a 12.8 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in 4 career Sonoma starts, posting a pair of top-10 finishes.
  • Kyle Busch (2) and Truex (3) are the only active drivers with multiple victories at this track. Busch has a 14.6 AFP in 16 career Cup starts at Sonoma, including 2 wins, 6 top-5 runs and 8 top-10 finishes.
  • Kurt Busch is 2nd to Truex (213) among all active drivers with 206 laps led at this track.

[tipico]

Toyota/Save Mart 350 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9 a.m. ET.

CHASE ELLIOTT (+550) is installed as the favorite, and he has been a road-course sensation during the early part of his career. While he has never won at Sonoma, he has a solid 14.4 AFP with 2 top-5 finishes in 5 career Cup runs. He was a runner-up to Larson (+700) last season in this event, too.

TRUEX JR. (+900) is also a strong play based upon his history at the track, including wins in 2 of his past 3 Cup starts at Sonoma.

Toyota/Save Mart 350 picks – Long shot

ERIK JONES (+5000) has never won in his 4 career Cup starts at this California road course, but he has been as high as 7th. A simple $2 bet can net a $100 return, and it’s worth a roll of the dice based upon his solid showings in the past.

Toyota/Save Mart 350 prop picks

KEVIN HARVICK TOP-10 FINISH (+140)

Harvick at plus-money for a top-10 finish should be a steal. He has managed a victory with 6 top-5 finishes and 10 top-10 runs in 20 career Cup starts at Sonoma, leading 95 laps. His 13.2 AFP leads all active drivers with a minimum of 5 Cup starts at the track, too.

ERIK JONES TOP-10 FINISH (+150)

Jones is a bargain at plus-money for a top-10 run. Above, we touched on his success at this track in his previous 4 Cup starts. He leads all drivers with a 12.8 AFP, and he has been in the top-10 twice. He was 9th on the road course at COTA in late March, and he was 11th at Sonoma last season. This is a bet worth making.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2022 Enjoy Illinois 300 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s 2022 Enjoy Illinois 300 odds at Madison, Ill., with NASCAR odds, picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series comes to World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill., Sunday for the 2022 Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter. The green flag is set to drop a little after 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1). Below we analyze the 2022 Enjoy Illinois 300 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 240 laps and 300 miles at World Wide Technology Raceway. This is the debut NASCAR Cup Series event at the track just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.

While we have no prior track history to draw from, this is a short track race, so we’ll be using drivers who are particularly strong on tracks like Bristol, Richmond, etc. … The drivers did practice Friday, getting their collective feet wet at the new track.

WWT is a flat track, so we’ll also look at drivers who are fairly decent at flats like Phoenix, as well as New Hampshire. All 4 turns are completely different, too, so it will make for a unique event.

2022 Enjoy Illinois 300: What you need to know

  • Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin is a driver who has excelled at both New Hampshire and Phoenix, tracks we believe will be fairly similar to WWT. In fact, Hamlin has 5 combined victories in 62 starts at the two flat tracks.
  • Kevin Harvick is another driver who has dominated on flats, including 9 career victories at Phoenix Raceway. He should find the confines of World Wide Technology Raceway to his liking.
  • Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman is a driver to avoid this week. He has struggled over the years at both New Hampshire and Phoenix, posting a 23.2 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in 10 starts at NHMS, and 23.1 AFP in 14 career Phoenix runs.
  • Penske Racing drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney were 1-2 in practice Friday, with Logano topping the charts at 136.753 mph.
  • Kurt Busch was the top Toyota, checking in 4th at 136.096 mph, while Erik Jones was the best Chevy at 136.001 mph.
  • RKF Racing’s Chris Buescher will sit out after testing positive for COVID-19. Zane Smith will step in to drive the No. 17 Ford during Buescher’s absence. Smith finished 26th in practice Friday at 134.332 mph.

[tipico]

Enjoy Illinois 300 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:38 a.m. ET.

BLANEY, teammate Logano and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe, who is starting on the pole, are the favorites, each listed at 9-to-1.

However, I really like BLANEY (+900) here. He certainly looked comfortable on the track in practice.

JOEY LOGANO (+900) is also a strong value based on the practice results.

Both are STRONG PLAYS Sunday.

Enjoy Illinois 300 picks – Long shot

KEVIN HARVICK (+3000) has been a stud on flat tracks over his career. While he was rather mediocre in practice, checking in 15th with a 135.176 mph speed, he is worth a roll of the dice.

Enjoy Illinois 300 prop picks

RYAN BLANEY TOP-5 FINISH (-110)

Blaney obviously doesn’t pay nearly as well for a top-5 finish as he does to win the race outright, but this is still a pretty decent price at near even-money.

JOEY LOGANO TOP-5 FINISH (+125)

Logano topped the practice charts Friday, and he is a strong play at plus-money to finish inside the top 5. In fact, Fords dominated the practice session Friday, posting the 3 best times, all over 136.104 mph.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2022 Indianapolis 500 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s 2022 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with odds, picks and predictions.

The IndyCar Series heads to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday for the 2022 Indianapolis 500. The green flag for the 106th race is set to drop at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET (NBC). Below we analyze the 2022 Indianapolis 500 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 200 laps and 500 miles at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” follows F1’s Monaco Grand Prix in a full day of 3 major motor races on Sunday. NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte caps off the evening.

Brazil’s Helio Castroneves of Meyer Shank Racing, won his fourth Borg-Warner Trophy in 2021, the prize for winning the Indy 500. He starts 27th in Row 9 after a 4-lap average speed of 229.630 mph.

NASCAR fans will tune in to see how 7-time NASCAR series champ Jimmie Johnson fares as a rookie in his first Indianapolis 500. He will start on the outside of Row 4 alongside former champions Takuma Sato (2017, 2020) and Will Power (2018).

2022 Indianapolis 500: What you need to know

  • Scott Dixon is on the pole after posting a 4-lap average of 234.046 mph, the only driver to exceed 233.5 mph in qualifying. He will start alongside Alex Palou and Rinus VeeKay on Row 1.
  • In the past 105 Indy 500’s, the winner has come from Row 1 a total of 45 times, or 42.9 percent of the time (21 winners from the  pole, 11 from the 2nd position and 13 from No. 3).
  • Castroneves started from the 8th spot to win his 4th title in 2021. He was just the 3rd winner from that spot in the history of the race, and the 1st winner from Row 3 since 1999.
  • The 47-year-old Castroneves is trying to become the first 5-time winner and the first driver to win consecutive Indy 500s since he accomplished the feat in 2001-02.

[tipico]

Indianapolis 500 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:56 a.m. ET.

SCOTT DIXON (+550) is on the pole, and a good bet. The 2008 winner from New Zealand, a 6-time IndyCar series champion, would be the second driver to go 14 or more years between Indy 500 wins. Juan Pablo Montoya is the record holder, taking checkers in 2000 and 2015 at Indy.

JIMMIE JOHNSON (+1500) is the feel-good story, but he is also a legitimate contender. The Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver finished 22nd in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the road course May 14, and he has finished 20th or lower in 4 of his first 5 races. He was an impressive 6th at the Grand Prix of Texas, a track he is familiar with from his NASCAR days.

Indianapolis 500 picks – Long shot

TONY KANAAN (+2000) will make his first IndyCar start of the season. While many might think he could be rusty, he certainly didn’t look like it in qualifying at 232.372 mph. The 2013 winner will start on the outside of Row 2 in the 6th position in the starting grid.

Indianapolis 500 prop picks

RINUS VEEKAY GROUP A WINNER (+250)

In the group winner area, you’ll find VEEKAY (+250) as the favorite over 2-time winner Takuma Sato (+270), Colton Herta (+260) and Scott McLaughlin (+260).

Sato is obviously the biggest threat here, as Herta could be a little spooked after going airborne in a highlight-reel wreck during Carb Day practice at IMS.

We touched on the benefits of starting on Row 1, so give VeeKay the nod here.

TONY KANAAN GROUP C WINNER (+240)

KANAAN (+240) is the co-favorite in this group along with Alexander Rossi (+240), who won this race as a rookie in 2016 with Andretti Herta Autosport. Simon Pagenaud (+280), the 2019 winner of the Indy 500, is also in this group, along with Romain Grosjean (+300).

It won’t be easy, but again, look to the starting spot for guidance here. Kanaan goes off 6th, while Rossi starts 20th, and Pagenaud starts 16th.  Grosjean could be the biggest threat to TK’s chance, starting 9th.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2022 Coca-Cola 600 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s 2022 Coca-Cola 600 odds at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with NASCAR odds, picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series comes to Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday for the 2022 Coca-Cola 600. The green flag is set to drop a little after 6 p.m. ET (FOX). Below we analyze the 2022 Coca-Cola 600 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 400 laps and 600 miles at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson won last season’s Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

Chevrolet’s Chase Elliott took the checkers in the 2020 installment. Chevrolet has 4 wins in the last 8 Charlotte tri-oval races, including three of the past six 600s.

Martin Truex Jr. has a pair of victories in the last 6 Charlotte tri-oval races, including the 600 in May 2019, and the now-discontinued fall race at a shorter distance in 2017.

2022 Coca-Cola 600: What you need to know

  • Kevin Harvick and Truex Jr. have posted 3 career wins at Charlotte, tied for most among active drivers.
  • Tyler Reddick leads all active drivers with a 10.3 Average-Finish Position (AFP) at Charlotte in 3 career starts. He has never finished lower than 14th, totaling 6 laps led.
  • Kyle Busch has 1 win in 33 career Cup starts at Charlotte, and his 1,450 laps led is the most among all active drivers. However, he also leads all drivers with six DNFs. His brother Kurt Busch has the second-most DNFs with 5.
  • Denny Hamlin has posted a 12.3 AFP in 30 career starts at CMS, including 10 finishes inside the Top 5.

[tipico]

Coca-Cola 600 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 8:54 a.m. ET.

CHASE ELLIOTT (+700) has the third-shortest odds behind Kyle Larson (+600) and Kyle Busch (+650). Elliott is the best bet, however, posting a win with 5 finishes inside the Top 5 in 10 career Cup starts at Charlotte. His 11.9 AFP is best among all active drivers with at least 4 Cup starts there, too.

DENNY HAMLIN (+1200) is a value play at this price. He has never won at Charlotte, but he has a tremendous 12.3 AFP in 30 career Cup starts with 19 of his finishes resulting in 10th or better. He also has just 2 DNFs, so he finishes what he starts.

Coca-Cola 600 picks – Long shot

Penske Racing’s JOEY LOGANO (+2000) has some rather high odds given his solid numbers in Charlotte in the past. He has 23 career Cup starts there and won the summer race at Charlotte in Aug. 2015, although that wasn’t the Coca-Cola 600. Logano has also registered six top-5 runs and 11 top-10 finishes with 331 laps led while posting a 12.4 AFP.

Logano has been on a heater later, too, posting a win at Darlington, while ending up 4th or better in 4 of his last 7 starts overall, including a runner-up at Martinsville.

Coca-Cola 600 prop picks

DENNY HAMLIN TOP-5 FINISH (+150)

Hamlin is still a nice value for a top-5 finish. He has a runner-up finish under his belt in 30 career Cup starts in Charlotte, and he has been 5th or better on 10 of his 30 starts at the track.

He had a runner-up finish during the COVID season in a Thursday night race in 2020, rallying after starting 29th in a race during which he never led a single lap.

ROSS CHASTAIN TOP-10 FINISH (-170)

The TrackHouse Racing driver has finished 7th or better in 3 of his last 4 points races in the Cup Series. Chastain will also have some momentum after winning Friday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200 in double overtime for his 4th-career Trucks Series checkered flag.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]

2022 AdventHealth 400 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s 2022 AdventHealth 400 odds at Kansas Speedway, with NASCAR odds, picks and predictions.

The NASCAR Cup Series comes to Kansas Speedway Sunday for the 2022 AdventHealth 400. The green flag is set to drop a little after 3 p.m. ET (FS1). Below we analyze the 2022 AdventHealth 400 odds and lines, with NASCAR picks and predictions.

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 267 laps and 400 miles at Kansas Speedway. Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson won the most recent stop at this track last October, while Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch won the 2021 spring stop.

Prior to those two, it was Penske Racing driver Joey Logano, last week’s winner at Darlington, who brought his Ford to Victory Lane. Each of the three manufacturers has a checkered flag in the last 3 Cup races at Kansas.

Logano’s win last weekend at the Goodyear 400 at Darlington made him the 10th driver to pick up a victory this season. Hendrick’s William Byron and TrackHouse Racing’s Ross Chastain are the only 2-time winners this season.

2022 AdventHealth 400: What you need to know

  • Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick and Logano have managed 3 career wins at Kansas, tied for most among active drivers.
  • Harvick leads all drivers with an 8.9 Average-Finish Position (AFP) in 32 career Cup starts, finishing inside the Top 5 on 12  occasions. He also leads all drivers with 949 laps led.
  • Hendrick’s Chase Elliott, winner of the Fall 2018 race at Kansas, is 2nd to Harvick with a 9.8 AFP in 12 Cup starts with half of his runs resulting in a top-5 finish.

[tipico]

AdventHealth 400 – Expert picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:37 a.m. ET.

CHASE ELLIOTT (+1200) is a value play, tied with the Hamlin at this price level. Elliott picked up the win at Dover, and has 5 consecutive top-10 finishes dating back to Martinsville in early April. He has been running hot, and has also enjoyed plenty of success at Kansas Speedway over the years.

It’s impossible to ignore LOGANO (+2000) at this price level. He is coming off a win last weekend at Darlington, much to the chagrin of Byron. Will the Hendrick Motorsports driver retaliate this weekend and knock Logano off track? That’s about the only concern with a Logano pick, which is a huge value at this price point.

AdventHealth 400 picks – Long shot

RFK Racing’s BRAD KESELOWSKI (+10000) has really struggled this season, his first campaign out from under the Penske umbrella. He hasn’t had a top-10 run since Daytona, and was a season-worst 34th at Darlington last weekend, while his former teammate Logano was celebrating in Victory Lane.

With all that being said, Keselowski has 2 wins at Kansas in 24 career starts, and he is 3rd among all active drivers with an 11.5 AFP. The odds are ludicrous, given his past success, even if he is in inferior equipment this season. Even a $1-5 bet on the No. 6 machine can net a tidy little profit.

AdventHealth 400 prop pick

BRAD KESELOWSKI TOP-10 FINISH (+140)

Keselowski’s difficult season continued last week, as he sunk like a stone to a season-worst 34th at “The Lady In Black.” However, he has had a modicum of success at Kansas in the past, and could be worth a play at plus-money here.

KURT BUSCH TOP-10 FINISH (+110)

The elder Busch Bro is also a solid play for a top-10 run at plus-money. He has never won at Kansas, but sits 8th among all active drivers with a 15.5 AFP. In 32 of his Cup starts, he has placed inside the Top 10 on 13 occasions while leading 276 laps.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1950]