2011 5-hour Energy 500 Breakdown – Beating the Odds: Who to Bet On

2011 5-hour Energy 500 Betting Odds Breakdown – Who to Bet On and How to Win Money on the 5-hour Energy 500: There isn’t much about Pocono Raceway that is normal. It is the only track with a triangle-shaped layout, and it is one of the only tracks that have different lengths and banking in every set of corners. Throw in frequent fuel mileage finishes and the constant threat of rain, and all of the strange factors can add to surprise winners and unexpected finishes.

He is getting 25/1 odds to win this weekend, but Kurt Busch deserves a little more credit for his past accomplishments at Pocono. After all, he is a two-time winner at the track, and he has finished second on three occasions. Busch has figured out the tricky triangle, and even in a down year, he is a threat at Pocono.

If it weren’t for a pit road issue last season, Juan Pablo Montoya might have a win at Pocono already. Instead, he is a 40/1 longshot to win this weekend. He has finished eighth or better in three of his last four starts at the track, including a second-place effort in 2009. Pocono is one of Montoya’s favorite ovals, and the track is always kind to road racers. Montoya is one of the top road racers in the sport today.

Bettors looking for a longshot this weekend should consider Sam Hornish Jr. He found himself a ride for this weekend’s race at Pocono with Front Row Motorsports, and his career record at the track is actually respectable. Hornish Jr. has finished 11th or better in four straight starts at Pocono, and he gave track ace Denny Hamlin a run for his money last season. His chances of winning are slim, but the payoff would be enormous if he springs the upset at his current 200/1 odds.

Although he is coming off a second-place finish at Pocono last June, Kyle Busch doesn’t have the career record at the track to warrant his 10/1 odds this weekend. He has finished outside the top 10 in six of his last seven starts at the track, and he has finished outside the top 15 in five of his last six outings. Pocono simply isn’t Busch’s best track.

Granted, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been very impressive the last two races, but his 14/1 odds to win this weekend are a little overzealous. He hasn’t finished better than 19th in his last four starts at the track, finishing outside the top 25 in three of those starts. Junior is definitely improving, but the fact that he is getting the same odds as Jeff Gordon this weekend is ridiculous.  

Matt Kenseth is enjoying a strong 2011 season, but Pocono has never been his bread and butter. He has failed to crack the top 10 in his last five starts at the track, and he hasn’t finished in the top five in his last nine starts. At 14/1 odds, Kenseth is getting similar odds to several former winners at Pocono. He simply doesn’t have the history to back up the odds.

Check out the latest 2011 5-hour Energy 500 odds and free tips updated daily from NSAwins.com.