2011 Samsung Mobile 500 Post-Practice Predictions, Picks and Preview – Top 5 Drivers and Sleeper

2011 Samsung Mobile 500 Post-Practice Predictions, Picks and Preview – Favorites and Sleepers to Win 2011 Samsung Mobile 500: Texas Motor Speedway is not short on speed. The 1.5-mile track has the perfect combination of banking to allow drivers to crack 200 mph on a regular basis. While a powerful engine under the hood is important for success at the track, handling can’t be overlooked either. Trying to control an ill-handling car at speeds that exceed 200 mph isn’t very fun. With both practice sessions for Saturday’s race in the books, bettors should pay attention to both average speeds and top speed when deciding which drivers to back this weekend.

Post-Practice Top 5

Carl Edwards: He showed the ideal combination of short run and long run speed during the practices. After posting the top 10-lap average speed in the opening session, he posted the third-fastest lap in Happy Hour. He continued his strong showing in qualifying, by grabbing a spot on the outside of the front row. Edwards has been to Victory Lane at Texas three times in his career, and he could add No. 4 this weekend.

Tony Stewart: Stewart came out strong in practice, posting the second-fastest lap in the opening session. He continued his success on the long runs, compiling the second-best 10-lap average speed as well. Stewart is a former winner at Texas, and he appeared headed to win No. 2 last April until he was swept up in a nine-car wreck late in the race. Stewart appears ready to finish what he started last year, and bettors should take notice.

Paul Menard: Menard was as impressive as anyone during practice at Texas. He had the third-best 10-lap average speed in the opening session, and he improved to the second-best average in Happy Hour. He also recorded the second-fastest overall lap in the final practice. Menard finished 10th at Texas last fall for one of his five top-10 finishes at 1.5-mile tracks a year ago. Bettors could cash in big if he scores his first career Cup win this weekend.

Clint Bowyer: He has been up and down at Texas, but he had the No. 33 handling well in practice Thursday and Friday. He posted the ninth and 11th fastest laps between the two sessions, and more importantly, he had the fourth-best 10-lap average speed in Happy Hour. With that type of balance, Bowyer should be in for a good outing and maybe even a surprise win.

Matt Kenseth: He was quiet in the opening session, but he posted the best 10-lap average speed during the final practice. Kenseth has always built his car to handle on long runs at Texas, and it is tough to argue with the results. In addition to his victory, he has four second-place finishes, including a runner-up effort last fall. He always seems to be near the front, and bettors have to like backing a guy that is usually in the mix.

Post-Practice Top Sleeper

David Ragan: Texas has always been one of Ragan’s better tracks, and last fall, he notched a career-best eighth-place finish. He kept the momentum going this weekend, topping the charts in the opening session and ranking sixth in Happy Hour. Ragan is starting on the pole for the first time in his career, and if he goes on to score his first career Cup win as well, bettors will make a lot of money.