2012 Pennsylvania 400 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Pennsylvania 400 Favorites and Sleepers to Win at Pocono Raceway: NASCAR betting odds to win the 2012 Pennsylvania 400 this Sunday, August 5th at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania have been posted at all the major Las Vegas and best online sportsbooks with Jimmie Johnson having been installed as the 6/1 +600 favorite to win the 2012 Pennsylvania 400.
It hasn’t even been two months since the Cup Series last visited Pocono Raceway, but a return trip to the 2.5-mile track is already on tap this weekend. The teams got their first taste of Pocono’s new pavement in the June race, and despite the changes to the surface, it appears track position and fuel mileage will continue to rule the day. As a result, there is always the possibility for an upset when the series visits Pocono. With laps taking almost a minute, a lot of drivers are able to stay on the lead lap. From there, the right strategy can lead to a big day.
Last August, Brad Keselowski delivered one of the more memorable performances of the year. After poor pit strategy knocked the dominant cars of Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano out of contention, it appeared that Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch would decide the outcome. However, a late caution allowed Keselowski to close the gap. He worked his way by Kyle Busch for the lead and then held of Kyle for the win. What was so memorable about the victory you ask? Keselowski pulled out the win while driving on a broken ankle.
Earlier this year, the race was again decided in the closing laps when Joey Logano bumped his way by Mark Martin to pick up his first career win at Pocono and his second career Cup win. Overall, it was the most-impressive performance of Logano’s career. He won the pole for the race, led the most laps and sealed the deal. It was an all too familiar story for Martin, who finished second for the seventh time in his career at Pocono.
The Favorites – 2012 Pennsylvania 400 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
Although his last win at Pocono came in 2004, there is no question that Jimmie Johnson is a contender whenever the Cup Series visits the triangle-shaped track. He has finished in the top 10 in nine of his last 10 starts at Pocono, and he has finished in the top five six times during the stretch. With three straight fourth-place finishes at the track, Johnson has been knocking on the doorstep of a third Pocono win. He could seal the deal as soon as this weekend.
Whenever the series visits Pocono Raceway, Denny Hamlin is a threat to get to Victory Lane. In 13 starts at the track, he has nine finishes of sixth or better, including four wins. No driver has more wins than Hamlin during the stretch, and if weren’t for some mechanical issues and fuel mileage, he might have two or three more victories under his belt. Hamlin has owned Pocono since joining the Cup Series, and even his competitors will admit that he is the guy to beat on Sunday.
The Dark Horses – 2012 Pennsylvania 400 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
While he may not dominate at Pocono, Tony Stewart always seems to be lurking near the front in the closing laps. In his last 14 starts at the track, he has finished 11th or better 12 times. More importantly, Stewart has finished third or better six times during the stretch, including three times in his last five starts. His most-recent win at Pocono came in 2009, and but he could add another victory at any time.
His eighth-place finish at Pocono in June is a bit misleading because Dale Earnhardt Jr. had one of best cars at the track that afternoon. His 36 laps led were the second most of any driver, and had fuel mileage worked out in his favor, he probably would have won the race. Instead, he settled for his third straight top-10 finish at Pocono. Junior will get a chance to finish what he started this weekend when the series makes the return trip to the track.
Despite being up and down at Pocono throughout his career, Joey Logano has to be on the list of contenders after his performance at the track in June. Logano won the pole for the race, led a race-high 49 laps, and bumped his way by Mark Martin for the win in the closing laps. After coming out of nowhere to win in June, a season sweep at Pocono can’t be ruled out.
Sleeper Specials – 2012 Pennsylvania 400 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
He has been steadily improving at Pocono for more than two years, and Paul Menard could be primed for a breakout performance this weekend. He got his first top-20 finish at the track in June of 2010, and since then, he has reeled off four straight top-15s. Menard has finished in the top 10 in his last two starts, including a career-best ninth-place run earlier this year. The next step for Menard is to become a player for the win.
A.J. Allmendinger’s suspension has opened the door for Sam Hornish Jr., and he could take advantage of the opportunity in a big way at Pocono. The 2.5-mile track has been his best on the Cup schedule, and he has finished 11th or better in four of his last five starts. Hornish has finished as high as fourth at Pocono, and if his performance in the Nationwide Series is any indication, he could return to the Cup Series with a vengeance.
Big Name to Avoid – 2012 Pennsylvania 400 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
Don’t get me wrong, Matt Kenseth has had plenty of solid runs at Pocono, but he never seems to be a factor for the win. He has reeled off 13 straight top-20 finishes at the track, but his last top-five finish came 13 races ago. Kenseth has never won at Pocono, and he has shown no signs of changing that anytime soon.
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2012 Pennsylvania 400 Odds – August 5th at Pocono Raceway.
Driver Odds to Win the 2012 Pennsylvania 400
Jimmie Johnson 6/1
Denny Hamlin 7/1
Kyle Busch 8/1
Tony Stewart 10/1
Matt Kenseth 10/1
Greg Biffle 10/1
Kasey Kahne 10/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 10/1
Jeff Gordon 12/1
Carl Edwards 15/1
Brad Keselowski 15/1
Kevin Harvick 15/1
Mark Martin 15/1
Joey Logano 15/1
Martin Truex Jr 25/1
Ryan Newman 30/1
Clint Bowyer 30/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 100/1
Paul Menard 100/1
Jamie McMurray 100/1
Kurt Busch 100/1
Marcos Ambrose 100/1
Jeff Burton 100/1
Sam Hornish Jr 100/1
David Gilliland 300/1
Regan Smith 300/1
Bobby Labonte 300/1
David Ragan 300/1
Aric Almirola 300/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 50/1
Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Betting Lines from BOVADA below:
