2011 STP 400 Expert Picks: Betting on Underdogs for Big Payoffs

2011 STP 400 Expert Picks: Betting on Underdogs for Big Payoffs – How to Bet on the 2011 STP 400: This weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway will mark the first time that a spring even will be held at the 1.5-mile track. With some unknown elements at play this weekend, bettors have a rare opportunity to hit it big. Whenever a new wrinkle is thrown in the mix, the playing field is leveled a bit and the chance of an upset goes up. Since the 2011 season has already been upset filled, there is even more reason for bettors to take a stab at a longshot.

The surging David Ragan had forced himself into the conversation, and at 40/1 odds, bettors won’t find a better value. He has finished 16th or better in three of his four starts at the track, finishing as high as eighth in 2008. The ’08 campaign was by far the best of his career, and the 2011 season is shaping up to be a similar success story. When he is running well, Ragan has proven he can finish in the top 10, and he is certainly running well this year.

While his numbers at Kansas are respectable, the strength of the Roush Fenway Racing Fords is an even bigger selling point. Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth have already won races at 1.5-mile tracks this year, and Greg Biffle would have won last weekend had he not run out of fuel. Ragan has been strong at the 1.5-mile tracks in his own right. He sat on the pole and finished seventh at Texas, and he finished second at Charlotte last weekend. At the very least, he should be in the mix at Kansas.

Another driver enjoying a solid season that is worth a look this weekend is A.J. Allmendinger. He has finished in the top 10 in two of his three starts at Kansas, and his 12.0 average finish at the track in fifth best among active drivers. Only Clint Bowyer has a better average finish than Allmendinger among drivers without a win at Kansas, and at his 60/1 odds, A.J. could lead to a big payday.

More importantly, he has been showing signs of breaking through at the 1.5-mile tracks. Last weekend, he finished fifth at Charlotte, and Kansas Speedway shares the same layout. Allmendinger currently sits 13th in the standings and is having the best year of his career. He has been closer to a win than ever before, and given his past success at Kansas, this could be the week he gets it done.

View the most current 2011 STP 400 Odds for the 2011 STP 400 this sunday.