2011 Royal Purple 300 Vegas Odds and Predictions – Favorites and Drivers to Bet On: Auto Club Speedway is a massive 2.0-mile track that places an emphasis on power down the long straightaways. As a result, the drivers running for the top teams tend to have an advantage because even a little extra horsepower can make a big difference. Joe Gibbs Racing has been pumping out plenty of power under the hoods of its Nationwide cars in recent, and the organization has six consecutive wins at ACS by three different drivers to prove it. Bettors shouldn’t get to wild this weekend, past results say that a big name is winning Saturday.
That was the case last February, but it took a wild finish for Kyle Busch to end up in Victory Lane. For most of the afternoon, it appeared that Joey Logano would run away with things. He led 130 of the 152 laps, but a late caution bunched up the field. Greg Biffle bumped Logano out of the lead, allowing Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch to get by as well. From there, Busch won the three-car shootout to pick up the win.
Busch didn’t need the same dramatics to complete the season sweep. Kevin Harvick had a car capable of hanging with Busch early on, but no one could handle the No. 18 when it mattered most. Despite leading just 42 laps in the two events, Busch came away with a pair of wins.
The Favorites
The sweep last season wasn’t the first time Kyle Busch has flexed his muscles in Fontana. He has won four of the last five races at the track, and he has finished outside the top-three only once in his last eight starts. What’s not to love about those numbers?
His last win at ACS came back in 2005, but Carl Edwards hasn’t exactly been struggling in his recent starts. He has finished inside the top-five in his last six starts at the track, and he has finished worse than sixth only twice in 12 career starts. Edwards is one of the top candidates to end Kyle Busch’s winning streak.
He let a potential win slip away in this race last season, but Joey Logano is still an excellent option for bettors this weekend. He has a 4.0 average finish in five starts at the track, and he has never finished worse than sixth. Logano won at the track in 2009, and as well as he has run, he will likely be adding to that total in the near future.
The Dark Horses
His career 22.9 average finish at ACS isn’t pretty, but bettors are making a mistake if they forget about Brad Keselowski. He finished outside the top-25 in his first six starts at the track, but he has finished inside the top-five in his last three. Last fall, Keselowski finished second to Kyle Busch, and he had a shot at winning both races.
In his debut with Turner Motorsports earlier this year, Mark Martin went to Victory Lane at Las Vegas. He is back with the team this weekend, and he has finished first and third in his last two starts at ACS in the Nationwide Series. Don’t bet against the veteran going two-for-two in 2011.
Sleepers Specials
He has only made one start at the track in the Nationwide Series, but Aric Almirola finished sixth in his debut. He will be in an even stronger car this weekend, and if Almirola is able to win his first race for JR Motorsports, they payout will be hefty for bettors.
Justin Allgaier has been solid in four starts at ACS, compiling an 11.8 average finish. More importantly, he has finished in the top-10 in his last two starts at the track. The always improving youngster is destined for big things, and he has the talent to break through at win at any time.
Big Names to Avoid
He enters the race as the point leader, but Jason Leffler’s 21.4 average finish at ACS isn’t exactly inviting for bettors. He has never finished inside the top-five at the track, and he hasn’t finished in the top-10 in his last 10 starts. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him win a race in 2011, but it probably isn’t coming this weekend.
His victory in the Daytona 500 has left Trevor Bayne in a tough spot. He is now trying to live up to unrealistic expectations, and it is clear that he is trying too hard at times. Not to mention the fact that Bayne has never finished in the top-10 in three starts in Fontana.
Nationwide Royal Purple 300 Odds March 25-26, 2011
Driver Odds to win the Nationwide Royal Purple 300
Kyle Busch +125
Carl Edwards +400
Mark Martin +400
Kevin Harvick +600
Brad Keselowski +700
Joey Logano +700
Trevor Bayne +1500
Elliot Sadler +1500
Justin Allgaier +1800
Reed Sorrenson +2000
Field +800
Check out the opening 2011 Auto Club 400 Betting Lines for Betting on the Auto Club 400 this Sunday at Auto Club Speedway.