The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will tackle the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this afternoon as current point’s leader Jimmie Johnson attempts to maintain his narrow lead over Hendricks Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. Start time in today’s race is set for 3:00pm ET; it will be broadcast live on FOX. NASCAR Kobalt Tools 400 Odds have Johnson, who will start today’s race in the three position, is a +500 moneyline favorite to win his fifth career race at the 1.5 miles track in Vegas. Kyle Busch is a second pick among the odds makers at +700 odds while defending Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski is drawing +1000 odds ($100 wins $1000). Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, and Carl Edwards are also listed at +1000 odds apiece.
Jimmie Johnson (+500): Johnson’s season could not have gotten to a better start as he won his second career Daytona 500 to open the year and he took second at last week’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 in Phoenix. His performance through two races has him atop the points standings with a total of 90; however, he is a mere eight points ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski. Johnson stands a good chance at extended his edge today, though, with the circuit being in Vegas. In 11 career starts at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Johnson has four wins and six top 10 finishes.
Kyle Busch (+700): Unlike Johnson, Busch’s season has been a major disappointment thus far. Bad luck and car troubles have resulted in the brass driver finishing 34th at Daytona and 23rd last weekend after four hole starts in both races. Perhaps a return to his hometown will do Busch some good. Busch has one win and three top five finishes in nine outings at Vegas.
Brad Keselowski (+1000): Keselowski, who sits on the pole for today’s race, garnered 15th and 11th place starts at Daytona and Phoenix, respectively, but he managed to turn those pedestrian positions into fourth place finishes. Consequently, Keselowski is, once again, near the top of the points standings. His history at Vegas would suggest he does not perform well today, though. In four career outings at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Keselowski’s average finish is a distant 30.5 and he has never cracked the top 10. However, a sample size so small may not be the best indicator in Keselowski’s case.
Kobalt Tools 400 Odds:
Jimmie Johnson +500
Kyle Busch +700
Brad Keselowski +1000
Kasey Kahne +1000
Denny Hamlin +1000
Jeff Gordon +1000
Carl Edwards +1000
Tony Stewart +1200
Dale Earnhardt Jr +1200
Greg Biffle +1200
Kevin Harvick +1500
Matt Kenseth +1500
Clint Bowyer +1500
Martin Truex Jr +2000
Mark Martin +2500
Ryan Newman +6000
Joey Logano +6000
Ricky Stenhouse +6000
Paul Menard +10000
Kurt Busch +10000
Marcos Ambrose +10000
Juan Montoya +10000
Aric Almirola +20000
Jamie McMurray +20000
Jeff Burton +20000
Danica Patrick +20000
Trevor Bayne +30000
Austin Dillion +30000
Bobby Labonte +30000
Field (Any Other Driver) +5000