in NASCAR Articles

Jimmie Johnson raised the Cup in '06, which earns him status as second choice to repeat as champion. Johnson endured only one DNF last year and yielded 13-top five's and 24-top ten finishes.

Johnson is a well rounded driver who'll enter this campaign with a ton of momentum. Investing some coins on him to again take the title is a sound investment at +400.

Jeff Gordon is certainly not the Gordon of old, but this guy can still drive with the best of them. Gordon finished in the sixth position last year and had two victories. He posted 14-top five finishes and 18-top tens.

Gordon is +750 to win the Cup. At that price he should not be overlooked. This team is a tick away from becoming dominant once again.

Kasey Kahne was a money-maker last year with six victories, which was the most of any driver. He also won six poles and had 12 top-five finishes and 19 top-tens.

If he can cut back on DNF's - he suffered six last season - he'll be strong again and can turn a profit. Raising the Cup will be difficult, but possible, and, at +1400, you could have a healthy payday.

Kevin Harvick, he's a very consistent driver at all the tracks. If not for a few engine failures last season, Harvick would have been a serious threat to the championship. However, there are better drivers more likely to raise the Cup, but due to his consistency Harvick is always a good bet in the driver vs. driver matchups.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: this guy cost NASCAR bettors a fortune last year. Hey Junior, you can't drive like your daddy, never have and never will! So stop misleading the betting public with your no-good optimism. Your team isn't even capable of putting the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet on a pole, as was the case last year, and your one victory in '06 isn't acceptable considering the powerhouse sponsor you carry.

Expect another embarrassing year from this group and invest on a worthy driver to save grace and your bankroll in '07. He's +800 to win the Cup but that's only because he's a fan favorite. You have a better shot at winning by betting on President Bush to pull American troops out of Iraq, it's not likely.

Last year, Denny Hamlin was hands down the Cinderella story. The then rookie finished third in the standings and had two wins, eight top-fives and 20 top-ten finishes. But expect Hamlin to suffer the dreaded ''Sophomore Jinx'' this season.

Hamlin is +1000 to win the title, but don't bother. However, you will get good value by betting against him in driver vs. driver matchups due to his strong finish last year. Take advantage of this early and often before the jinx strikes and prices become less inviting.

If you love motor sports, you’ll love to makes each lap exciting.