2011 5-hour Energy 500 Odds, Predictions, Betting Tips and Free Picks – Favorites and Lines to Win 5-hour Energy 500:NASCAR betting odds to win the 2011 STP 400 this Sunday, June 12th at at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania have been posted at all the major Las Vegas and sportsbooks and online bookies and Denny Hamlin has been installed as the +400 favorite to win the 2011 5-hour Energy 500(formerly called the Pocono 500).
Regarded as one of the trickiest tracks on the schedule, Pocono Raceway’s unique layout can be a headache for drivers and crew chiefs. The 2.5-mile, triangle-shaped track has three unique sets of corners, and drivers constantly find themselves running well in two of three corners and struggling in the third. The problem is that changes made to help the handling of a car in one corner always seem to hurt the car in the other corners. The end result is many crew chiefs try to use pit strategy to compensate, leading to some unexpected moments in the closing laps.
Last June, Denny Hamlin added to his Pocono legend with his second straight win at the track and his fourth overall. After Clint Bowyer dominated the action early, the Joe Gibbs Racing duo of Hamlin and Kyle Busch took control when it counted. The two delivered a 1-2 finish and combined to lead 120 of the 204 laps, with Hamlin leading a race-high 88 laps.
In the August event, Hamlin was one of three drivers in the mix for the win throughout most of the race, but a bold pit road gamble by Greg Biffle allowed the No. 16 to steal the win. Biffle was the first of several drivers to take just two tires on the final stop, and he drove away from the field while the drovers with four tires battled their way through traffic. Hamlin and Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson combined to lead 154 of the 200 laps, with Johnson leading a race-high 96 laps. Despite
The Favorites
It has been a quiet year for Denny Hamlin up to this point, but that could all change this weekend. He is the defending winner of this weekend’s race and a four-time winner at Pocono. Hamlin has finished sixth or better in eight of his 10 starts at the track and has won two of the last three events.
Tony Stewart always does his most damage in the summer months, and his success at Pocono is part of the proof. He is a two-time winner at the track, and he has finished inside the top 10 in 10 of his last 11 starts at the track. Stewart has finished third or better in four of his last five starts at Pocono, including finishes of second and third last season.
The Dark Horses
From 2001 to 2009, Kevin Harvick managed just two top-five finishes at Pocono. He doubled that total last season, finishing fourth in both races at the track. Considering he already has a series-high three wins in 2011, overlooking Harvick after his impressive 2010 performances at Pocono would be a mistake.
After dominating at Kansas last weekend, Kurt Busch could be hitting his stride at the right time. He is a two-time winner at Pocono, and he has three runner-up efforts as well. Busch has finished in the top 10 in two of his last three starts at the track, and he has proven himself capable of delivering elite finishes at the 2.5-mile triangle.
Sleepers Specials
Poor pit strategy last August cost Juan Pablo Montoya a shot at a win at Pocono and forced him to settle for a 16th-place finish. However, the near win was part of a trend of success at the track for Montoya. He has finished eighth or better in three of his last four starts at Pocono, including a second-place effort in 2009.
His comeback from the heart condition that sidelined him most of 2010 hasn’t been easy, but Brian Vickers could take a step in the right direction this weekend. He finished sixth in his most recent starts at Pocono, and for his career, he has finished sixth or better in five starts at the track.
Big Names to Avoid
Although he finished second at Pocono last June, Kyle Busch’s career record at the track is far from impressive. He has finished outside the top 15 in five of his last six starts, including four finishes outside the top 20. Busch has never won at Pocono, and he has just three top-10 finishes in 12 starts.
In 16 career starts at Pocono, Jamie McMurray has just three top-10 finishes and has never finished inside the top five. He has a 21.7 average finish at the track overall, and he has finished 20th or worse 10 times.
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2011 5-hour Energy Odds – June 12th
Driver Odds to Win the 5-hour Energy 500
101 Denny Hamlin +400
102 Jimmie Johnson +600
103 Carl Edwards +700
104 Kyle Busch +1000
105 Tony Stewart +1000
106 Kevin Harvick +1200
107 Matt Kenseth +1200
108 Jeff Gordon +1400
109 Greg Biffle +1400
110 Dale Earnhardt Jr +1400
111 Kurt Busch +2500
112 Jeff Burton +3000
113 Clint Bowyer +3000
114 Kasey Kahne +3000
115 Juan Montoya +4000
116 Joey Logano +4000
117 Mark Martin +4000
118 Ryan Newman +4000
119 Brian Vickers +4000
120 Martin Truex Jr +4000
121 Jamie McMurray +4000
122 David Reutimann +5000
123 Field +2000
Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Lines from BoDog below: