Separation between Drivers in NASCAR Sportsbook Odds. There are just six races remaining before the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins and the odds at the sportsbook indicate a separation between contenders.
The top 12 drivers make the chase and the standings indicate that not many drivers have a chance to change the current standings. Jimmie Johnson is still considered the favorite at the sports book to win the Chase but in the next few weeks the attention will be on the 12th and 13th spots in the standings to see who gets in and who misses out. Sportsbook odds this week will likely favor Johnson again as NASCAR goes to Pocono but Johnson is not the lock to win like he has been in the past. Kevin Harvick has led the points’ standings for most of the season while Denny Hamlin is in contention every week.
The focus at Pocono and at tracks over the next couple of months at the sportsbook will be on the drivers who are 10th to 14th in the standings. With the top 12 making the Chase, the attention at the sports book will be on drivers who can move up in the standings. Clint Bowyer is on the bubble in 12th place but he looks better than ever as he has back back-to-back top five finishes. He leads Mark Martin by 62 points and Dale Earnhardt Jr. by 93 points. Those two drivers are probably the only two that could move into the Top 12. Ryan Newman is in 15th place and he is 147 points behind Bowyer while last week’s winner Jamie McMurray is 151 points back in 16th separation place.
Kevin Harvick leads the standings and he is well clear of second place Jeff Gordon who is 184 points back. Denny Hamlin is 260 points back while Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch are 261 and 262 points back respectively. Kyle Busch is in solid position in 6th place while Jeff Burton looks safe in 7th and Matt Kenseth is in 8th. Tony Stewart also looks good in 9th place. Carl Edwards is in 10th place and he is 112 points ahead of Mark Martin who is in 13th. Greg Biffle is in 11th and he is 78 points clear of Martin while Bowyer sits in 12th place.
The next few races should highlight the differences in sportsbook odds but there might be some value with drivers like Martin and Earnhardt Jr. who are badly in need of victories.