For starters, I think Jeff Gordon has the best shot of winning this race. Gordon has 7 wins, fifteen Top 5 finishes and eighteen Top 10 finishes in his 27 starts here in Darlington. Gordon has an average finish of 11.8 here in Darlington. Last two years, Jeff Gordon's average finish at track type - INTERMEDIATE SPEEDWAY is 7.0. In 5 races, he has 1 win and 4 top 10 finishes. Gordon won here last year.
Next in line I would go with Jimmie Johnson. Johnson has two wins, five Top 5 finishes and eight Top 10 finishes in 9 starts here in Darlington. Johnson has an average finish of 6.8 here in Darlington which is the 2nd best average finish among active drivers. Last two years, Jimmie Johnson's average finish at track type - INTERMEDIATE SPEEDWAY is 14.4. In 5 races, he has 0 wins and 2 top 10 finishes.
Then, back in my 3rd spot, I have to go with Denny Hamlin. Hamlin has no wins, one Top 5 finishes and two Top 10 finishes in his 2 starts in Darlington. Hamlin has an average finish of 6.0 here in Darlington which is best among active drivers. Denny Hamlin's average finish over the past 3 races is 10.0. In 3 races, he has 0 wins and 2 top 10 finishes.
Looking at my pick for the 4th spot we turn to Ryan Newman. Newman has no wins, five Top 5 finishes and six Top 10 finishes in his 9 starts in Darlington. Newman has an average finish of 10.7 in Darlington. That is good for the 3rd best average finish among active drivers.
Rounding out my Top 5 and sitting in the 5th position is Mark Martin. Martin has one win, sixteen Top 5 finishes and 25 Top 10 finishes in his 41 starts in Darlington. Martin has an average finish of 12.2 in Darlington. Over the last two years, Mark Martin's average finish at track type - INTERMEDIATE SPEEDWAY is 10.2. In 5 races, he has 0 wins and 2 top 10 finishes.
The odds for these drivers to win in Darlington currently at Bodog are:
#24 Jeff Gordon 7 to 1
#48 Jimmie Johnson 6 to 1
#11 Denny Hamlin 13 to 2
#12 Ryan Newman 28 to 1
#8 Mark Martin 20 to 1
LONGSHOT: #21 Bill Elliott 200 to 1
Make sure you check back for Rocky's winning Nascar Head to Head matchups for Darlington on Saturday night!! We hit two out of three and profited three units last weekend and just missed 3-0 sweep by one position.