2013 Food City 500 Free Picks: Betting on Underdogs for Big Payoffs: While some of NASCAR’s biggest names have dominated at Bristol Motor Speedway over the year, the half-mile track has produced some surprises over the years. Drivers like Elliott Sadler and Kurt Busch made the track the site of their first career Cup wins, and veteran Jeff Burton came out of nowhere to win at Bristol just a few years ago. When 43 cars get jammed on to such a small, fast track, a lot of unexpected events can unfold. Between wrecks and pit strategy, the outcome of the race is often decided by which drivers survive the 500 laps and are still on the lead lap at the end of the race. With that in mind, here are a few potential sleeper candidates that could survive the mayhem in Thunder Valley and deliver an upset victory at Bristol.
It is easy to overlook Brian Vickers this weekend. After all, he has yet to run a race in 2013, and he will only be running nine races for the entire year. That being said, he thrived in his part-time role with Michael Waltrip Racing last year, especially at Bristol. He finished in the top five in both races at the short track, leading 125 laps in the March event. In fact, Vickers was actually the only driver in the series two finish in the top five in both Bristol races last year. His 30/1 odds are more a product of his limited schedule than his ability behind the wheel, and based on his performance at Bristol last year, Vickers is a steal at his current odds.
The last couple of years have been tough on Kurt Busch. He has bounced between a couple of teams, losing his ride with a championship-caliber Penske Racing organization and landing with single-car, underfunded teams. While his situation still isn’t ideal in 2013, he did land a ride with a Furniture Row Racing team that is probably the top single-car team in the series. Busch managed three straight top-10s with the team at the end of last year, and this weekend, he will make his first start at Bristol with Furniture Row. He is a five-time winner at the track for his career and one of the most underrated short track drivers in the series. Armed with decent equipment and a great history of success at Bristol, Busch could make some noise this weekend. It’s not often that bettors can get 60/1 odds on a driver with five wins at a track.
Although he has basically been irrelevant for the last two seasons, Jamie McMurray has managed solid results at Bristol. He has finished in the top 10 in four of his last six starts at the track, picking up a pair of top-five finishes during the stretch. Yes, it would be a bit of surprise to see him win Sunday, but at his 66/1 odds, the potential payout is hefty. Not to mention the fact that McMurray has surprised before, winning both the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in 2010. Bettors looking to take a big swing this weekend and go out on limb may want to do so with McMurray.
When most bettors consider putting money on Marcos Ambrose, it is usually at a road course. After all, the Australian native is one of the best road racers in the auto racing today. That being said, Ambrose has also found a comfort zone on the high banks of Bristol. In eight starts at the track, he has finished in the top 15 five times. More importantly, he has finished in the top five twice, including a fifth-place run last summer. Ambrose is a 66/1 longshot to win Sunday, and while those odds are more than fair at most oval tracks, Bristol is an exception. He has already been in the mix for a victory at the track on a couple of occasions, and with only eight starts under his belt, the best could be yet to come. At the very least, Ambrose is worth a small wager given the big payoff that is possible.
Be sure to check the NSAwins.com Betting Daily Blog all week for updated 2013 Food City 500 odds, free tips, free picks, predictions and articles from NASCAR expert tipster Brian Polking. NSAwins.com is your home for 2013 Food City 500 Betting Odds and Handicapping coverage!
Odds to win the 2013 Food City 500
101 Kyle Busch +700
102 Brad Keselowski +700
103 Jimmie Johnson +700
104 Matt Kenseth +800
105 Denny Hamlin +800
106 Jeff Gordon +1200
107 Carl Edwards +1200
108 Tony Stewart +1200
109 Kevin Harvick +1400
110 Kasey Kahne +1400
111 Dale Earnhardt Jr +1400
112 Clint Bowyer +1400
113 Greg Biffle +1400
114 Martin Truex Jr +2500
115 Brian Vickers +3000
116 Ryan Newman +5000
117 Joey Logano +5000
118 Jeff Burton +7500
119 Kurt Busch +7500
120 Field +2000
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