NASCAR Chase Cup - Silvania 300 Qualifying Matchups

NASCAR: Possible Wrench Throwing in Sylvania 300 Qualifying Matchups

Race-day: 9/18/2009

The Chase is here and NASCAR drivers are pumped. The 12 drivers who made The Chase get to hit the track on Friday before the race for qualifying matchups.

Because the 12 are fighting to win the Sprint Cup, expect all 12 to let it all out during not only the race itself but during qualifying matchups as well. Being consistent will still be important, however, as finishing in the Top 10 is definitely better than finishing in 25 th or worse.

Throwing a wrench into the plans of the Top 12 could be Kyle Busch who has to be smarting after not qualifying for The Chase. He could start things off the right way by winning the pole during qualifying on Friday.

Let’s take a look at some of the better qualifying matchups on which to wager this Friday.

NASCAR: Sylvania 300 Qualifying Matchups

1.) Jimmie Johnson -130 vs. Jeff Gordon Ev - - The last time two of the Hendrick Boys hit Loudon, Jimmie started in 3 rd place and Jeff started in 2 nd place. Overall this year, Jeff has started ahead of Jimmie in more races than Jimmie has started ahead of Jeff. Because of the difference in odds, I have to expect Gordo to do the same this time around at Loudon.

Pick: Jeff Gordon

 2.) Greg Biffle -150 vs. Carl Edwards +120 - - In the Lenox Industrial Tools 301, the last race at Loudon, Biff started 8 th and Carl started 5 th. Last week, Biff started 24 th and Carl started 10 th. What’s accounting for the huge difference in dollars between Biff and Carl in this qualifying matchup? I have no clue which is why I have to go with Edwards because he’s on the plus side of the equation.

Pick: Carl Edwards

3.) Denny Hamlin -125 vs. Martin Truex Jr. -105 - - Hamlin started 7 th at Loudon last time. Truex Jr. started 22 nd. Hamlin has a shot to win the Sprint Cup this year, he’s driving very well right now, while Truex Jr. didn’t make The Chase. I like Denny in this spot.

Pick: Denny Hamlin

4.) Kevin Harvick -120 vs. Tony Stewart -110 - - Smoke won the pole in the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 while Harvick started 25 th. I understand the reason why Tony is the underdog in this matchup, though. He hasn’t been doing very well while Harvick has recently, but Smoke is in The Chase. He’ll come out firing in this.

Pick: Tony Stewart

5.) Mark Martin -150 vs. Brian Vickers +120 - - Vickers was on the cusp of missing The Chase, Martin has won 6 poles and Vickers has won 6 poles in 2009. This is a toss-up in my opinion which means NASCAR betting on Vickers is the way to go since his odds are higher than Martin’s.

Pick: Brian Vickers

6.) Ryan Newman -125 vs. Kurt Busch -105 - - Kurt started 4 th at Loudon last time and Newman started 6 th. This is another toss-up. When in doubt, take the driver with the higher odds in qualifying matchups. It just makes more sense. Busch actually is a dark horse to win the Sprint Cup. Newman? I like him, but Smoke is the driver on that team who will win it if anyone on that team does. I’m going with Kurt Busch.

Pick: Kurt Busch