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NASCAR: Kobalt Tools 500 Qualifying Matchups

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NASCAR heads to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Kobalt Tools 500. On Friday, drivers step into their cars and head down the track in the Kobalt Tools 500 Qualifying Round.

Race-day: 3/7/2010
Race-time: 1:00 pm EST

The NASCAR sportsbook is offering qualifying matchups for Friday’s round. I’ve listed the best 5 matchups below.

NASCAR: Kobalt Tools 500 Qualifying Matchups

1. Carl Edwards -130 vs. Matt Kenseth Ev - - Edwards started 12th and Kenseth started 11th last week in the Shelby American. Edwards has done very well over Atlanta’s Motor Speedway, however, which is the reason that he’s favored over Kenseth in the qualifying round. But, as every NASCAR fan knows, winning a race over a track is different than winning the pole over a track. So, I’ll take Kenseth and the odds and hope that he beats Edwards again on Friday.

Pick: Matt Kenseth

2. Greg Biffle -110 vs. Ryan Newman -120 - - Biff started 7th last week and Newman started 3rd. Biff hasn’t had a whole lot of success at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Neither has Newman. The biggest question to me is whether or not Newman can put in another great qualifying run on Friday. Two races ago, Newman started 18th while Biff started 35th. I don’t see Biff putting in a qualifying run that badly again this entire season while I do feel that Newman could end up starting 20th or worse in this. So, my money will be on Biff to win this matchup.

Pick: Greg Biffle

3. Kurt Busch -130 vs. Kyle Busch Ev - - Kurt Busch won the pole for the Shelby American last Sunday. So, I’m just a bit confused as to why Kyle is such a big favorite over Kurt in this matchup. Maybe, it’s the law of averages. Kyle won in qualifying two races ago. Kurt won last week. It’s Kyle’s turn. Do I agree with it? Not necessarily but Kyle’s going to turn it on eventually and I don’t want to miss the boat when he does.

Pick: Kyle Busch

4. Jeff Gordon -125 vs. Kasey Kahne -105 - - Gordon started ahead of Kahne in Las Vegas, where the Shelby American was run, but Kahne started ahead of Gordon two weeks ago. The bigger issue here is whether or not Gordon’s car, which was running brilliantly in the Shelby, is as good this week as it was last week. If it is, then forget it, Kahne’s in trouble in this matchup, but will it be? I don’t believe it will. I have the feeling that Gordon and his crew are going to produce a slower than expected car on Friday. I’ll take Kahne and the good odds.

Pick: Kasey Kahne

5. Mark Martin -125 vs. Jimmie Johnson -105 - - Martin consistently produces one of the fastest cars on the track during qualifying rounds. He started 10th in the Auto Club 500 and 8th last week in the Shelby American. JJ started 7th in the Auto Club 500 and 20th in the Shelby American. JJ doesn’t often show his best stuff on Fridays. So, Martin is an easy pick to me. He’ll start in the Top 10 again for sure while JJ could start anywhere from a Top 5 position to 25th on Sunday.

Pick: Mark Martin

It’s time to rev those engines! Check out the NASCAR sportsbook and bet Qualifying Round Matchups!