2013 Food City 500 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Food City 500 Favorites and Sleepers to Win on March 17, 2013 at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee: The Sprint Cup Series gets a little old school this weekend with the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The high-banked, banked half-mile track has produced some of the most physical racing in the series over the years, and for quite a while, it was the unquestioned most popular track. Recent modifications that have cut down on the bumping and banging and the cautions have damaged Bristol’s popularity a bit, but track officials recently made another change in an attempt to undo the first round of changes. The jury is still out on whether or not the changes will restore the track to its original glory, but in the meantime, 43 cars will try to figure out how to get around a half-mile bullring in a place nicknamed Thunder Valley.
Last March, Brad Keselowski put on a dominant performance on his way to his second consecutive victory at the track. He led 232 of the 500 laps and was able to pull away from Matt Kenseth during the final run the checkers. Brian Vickers had a strong car early, leading 125 laps, but nobody could make a real run at Keselowski down the stretch. That being said, Vickers and both of his Michael Waltrip racing teammates did finish in the top five, marking one of the best days in the organization’s history.
2013 Food City 500 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions
The Favorites
Believe it or not, Jimmie Johnson used to be mortal at Bristol. Keep in mind that I said used to be. The five-time champ has ripped off seven finishes of eighth or better in his last eight starts at the track, including for straight. Johnson has five finishes of third or better at Bristol during the stretch, including a win. It’s only a matter of time before he gets back to Victory Lane.
It has been three straight starts at Bristol for Kyle Busch without a win, and by his standards, that qualifies as a drought. His five wins at the track since the start of the 2007 season are the most in the series, and his 10.3 average finish is the second best among active drivers. Plain and simple, Busch is a threat to win whenever he gets behind the wheel in Thunder Valley.
During his rapid rise to the top of the Cup Series, Brad Keselowski has become a threat to win at a variety of tracks, including Bristol. In fact, he has won two of the last three races at the track and is the defending winner of this weekend’s race. It is a little too soon to say Keselowski is about to start a dynasty at Bristol, but he is definitely among the current juggernauts.
The Dark Horses
Although his two wins at Bristol came prior to 2007, Matt Kenseth remains one of the most consistent drivers at the track. He has finished in the top 10 in eight of his last 10 starts at the track, including five times in his last six starts. Kenseth finished second at Bristol last March, and a third trip to Victory Lane at the track could happen as soon as this weekend.
Despite the fact that it took him 11 starts before he managed to crack the top 10 at Bristol, Martin Truex Jr. has suddenly become one of the better drivers at Bristol. He has compiled a 5.3 average finish in his last three starts at the track, including a pair of top-three finishes. Truex nearly won two of the last three races at Bristol, including last March’s event. Don’t be surprised if he is in Victory Lane in Thunder Valley sooner rather than later.
Sleeper Specials
He is only running a nine-race schedule in 2013, but Brian Vickers will be a threat to win when he makes his season debut this weekend at Bristol. After all, he finished fifth and fourth in his two starts at Bristol last year and was a serious player for the win in the night race. Vickers is back with the same Michael Waltrip Racing team that he had so much success at the track with last year so there is no reason to expect anything less than a strong run this weekend.
His recent game of team roulette has taken a toll on Kurt Busch’s numbers, but he could recapture some of his old Bristol magic with his current Furniture Row Racing team. In his time with Roush Fenway Racing and Penske Racing, Busch won five races at Bristol, and even in recent years, he has managed eight top-15s in his last 11 starts. Busch may have the equipment he needs with his current team to pull off an upset.
Driver to Avoid
Early in his career, Tony Stewart was a force at Bristol. However, the recent track changes have thrown him for a loop. He has failed to finish in the top 10 in seven of his last eight starts, including five straight. Worse yet, Stewart has finished outside the top 25 in half his starts during the stretch. He has looked nothing like the driver that was once a perennial contender for wins at Bristol.
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
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on the 2013 Food City 500 Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN BOVADA Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get a 50% BONUS instantly FREE. |
Check the latest NASCAR Odds and Betting Lines from BOVADA below: