2012 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Favorites and Sleepers to Win: NASCAR betting odds to win the Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 this Sunday, May 20th at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa have been posted at all the major Las Vegas and best online sportsbooks with Kurt Busch having been installed as the +225 favorite to win the 2012 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250.
While NASCAR’s big times will be taking the track Saturday night in Charlotte for the All-Star Race, the Nationwide Series drivers will get a chance to have the Sunday stage to themselves in Iowa. The 0.75-mile track has only been part of the series for three seasons, but it has been huge hit with drivers and fans. In fact, it was only on the schedule two years before earning a second race date. Sunday’s Iowa 250 will be just the fifth Nationwide race run at the track, and if the early results are any indication of what to expect, the best is yet to come for the newest short track in NASCAR.
The spring race at the track last season was a wild, back-and-forth affair. Five different drivers led at least 30 laps, as Cup regulars Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski exchanged the lead with Nationwide title hopefuls Reed Sorenson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. In the end, Stenhouse got by his Roush Fenway Racing teammate Edwards to earn his first-career victory in the Nationwide Series.
When the series returned to the track in August, it appeared Edwards was going to seal the deal this time around. He led a race-high 109 laps and was the car to beat for most of the night. Instead, the strangest finish of the season led to a season sweep at Iowa for Stenhouse. The eventual series champ worked his way to the lead in the closing laps and held comfortable lead over Edwards exiting the final corner. However, Stenhouse lost an engine approaching the finish line, slowing dramatically and dropping oil. Edwards tried to dodge his teammate and steal the win, but the oil sent Edwards’ No. 60 into a slide and right into the back of Stenhouse’s No. 6. The resulting impact pushed Stenhouse across the finish line and into Victory Lane.
The Favorites – 2012 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
Coming off a season sweep at Iowa last year, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is the obvious favorite to win this weekend. Not only is he going for a three-peat at the track this weekend, but his main competition in both those victories won’t even be in the race. Stenhouse already has two wins in 2012, and there is a good chance he will add another to that total when the series visits arguably his best track.
Although he has never started a race at Iowa, Kurt Busch has reason to be confident this weekend. After all, he is the only Cup regular in the field, and his experience alone as a former Cup champ and proven winner should give him an edge on the competition. Throw in the fact that Kyle Busch Motorsports has hit its stride the last month, and Busch’s stock only rises further.
The Dark Horses – 2012 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
Elliott Sadler looked very comfortable in his first two starts at Iowa last season. He finished fifth in the spring race and followed it up with a third-place run in the summer. Sadler also led the second-most laps of any driver in the August event. He clearly has a good feel for the track, and it is only a matter of time before his notches a win at Iowa.
Rookie Austin Dillon has done nothing but impress this season, and he enters Sunday’s race with the second-most top-five finishes and the second-most top-10s in the series. The only thing missing is a win, and as long as he keeps running near the front, it isn’t going to take long. With most of the Cup drivers focusing on the All-Star Race in Chalrotte, Dillon could jump on the opportunity in Iowa.
Sleeper Specials – 2012 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
In four starts at Iowa Speedway, Michael McDowell has three top-10 finishes, including a pair last season. The journeyman driver has never won a race in the Nationwide Series, but he does have a ride with Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend. The organization has three Nationwide wins under its belt in 2012, and McDowell will have some strong equipment to work with. With JGR’s backing and his past success at Iowa, he has all the ingredients he needs for an upset this weekend.
Economics has limited Parker Kligerman’s opportunities in the Nationwide Series, but the young driver has impressed in ARCA and other smaller series. He will get a shot to make a statement this weekend, when he drives the Penske Racing No. 22 machine. Brad Keselowski will be taking the weekend off, and Kligerman will step in behind the wheel of one of the best cars in the series. With great equipment on his side, the sky is the limit for this young driver.
Big Name to Avoid – 2012 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 Odds, Predictions and Free Picks
All the turmoil that comes with switching teams and switching crew chiefs has taken a toll on Justin Allgaier this season. After looking like a title contender the last couple of years, he has struggled to consistently crack the top 10 in 2012. More importantly, the elite finishes have been few and far between. Heading to a track where he has never cracked the top five, Allgaier’s chances of winning are slim.
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on the 2012 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN BOVADA Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get a 20% BONUS instantly FREE. |
Be sure to check the NSAwins.com Betting Daily Blog all week for updated 2012 Sprint All-Star Race Odds, free tips, free picks, predictions and articles from NASCAR expert tipster Brian Polking. NSAwins.com is your home for 2012 Sprint All-Star Race Betting Odds and Handicapping coverage!
2012 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 Odds – May 20th at Iowa Speedway.
Driver Odds to Win the 2012 Pioneer Hi-Bred 250
501 Kurt Busch +225
502 Ricky Stenhouse +300
503 Elliott Sadler +400
504 Austin Dillon +650
505 Brendan Gaughan +1000
506 Parker Kligerman +1200
507 Justin Allgaier +1200
508 Sam Hornish Jr +1200
509 Michael McDowell +1500
510 Cole Whitt +2000
511 Field +800
Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Betting Lines from BOVADA below: