Archive for February, 2009
NCAA Betting Preview Bookmaker.com betting line - The battle in the Big 12 is shaping out to be a dandy of a race. The Oklahoma Sooners appeared to be the dominant team in the conference before losing their last two straight games probably caused by the loss of superstar Blake Griffin. The No. 15 Kansas Jayhawks now sit on top of the standings in the conference one game ahead of both Oklahoma and Missouri. The no. 8 Missouri Tigers have kind of quietly sneaked into the picture and are putting together a great season. Missouri has a tough back to back scenario as they host Kansas and then will take the road to play Oklahoma in two games that will determine how the Big 12 regular season title shapes out. The Tigers could get everyone back to two losses in the conference if they could come up with a big win at home against Kansas on Sunday. Kansas lost to the Tigers earlier this season in a close exciting game 62-60. The loss was the only ugly mark on the Jayhawks schedule over the past two months as they have won 12 of their last 13 games. Kansas could control their own destiny with a win over Missouri on Sunday considering they own the head to head battle with Oklahoma. Kansas could get some revenge from their earlier meeting with Missouri this season and put a strangle hold on the conference all in one showing this Sunday. The Jayhawks are averaging 77.4 points per game on the season led by junior guard Sherron Collins. Collins ranks 4th individually in the Big 12 scoring 18.3 points per game and is coming fresh off a big 26 point performance in the Jayhawks win over Oklahoma. Amazingly, Kansas out rebounded Missouri 42-26 in the last meeting despite the losing effort and they simply need more scorers to step forward this Sunday. Missouri has one of the most potent offenses in the country. The Tigers rank 5th in scoring offense averaging 82.6 points per game on the season. Missouri is led by two seniors at the forward position on the inside. Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll lead the Tigers posting double figure averages. Lyons has posted 14.3 points per game this season while Carroll is averaging 17.1 points per game. The two standouts are also posting 7 rebounds each per night and they will need to be strong against the glass Sunday. In the last meeting, Missouri speedy defense posted a lot of problems for Kansas. The Tigers posted an outstanding 26 turnovers in the game while recording 14 steals in the contest. The Missouri aggressive defense will need a similar performance this Sunday if they want to continue to surprise people in the conference and around the nation. What to watch for… Keep you eye on the glass game. Both teams shot very poorly in their last meeting. However Kansas completely dominated the boards, but simply could not make any shots. Look for things to be a bit different this time and bank on Kansas knocking down a few more shots compared to the 41% shooting from the floor and 2-15 (15%) shooting from behind the arc in the last meeting. Pick – Kansas
No. 15 Kansas Jayhawks (23-5) at No. 8 Missouri Tigers (24-4)
Sunday, 2:00PM Eastern
Tags: Big 12, kansas, Missouri, ncaa basketball
NCAA Betting Preview Bookmaker.com betting line - The No. 6 Louisville Cardinals are in a tie with Connecticut among the top of the Big East standings after both Marquette and Pittsburgh lost earlier in the week. The Cardinals will need to win their last 3 games and need the Huskies to have some trouble because Connecticut would win the tie breaker due to their head to head win over the Cardinals earlier this season. That may not be much to ask for considering Connecticut still has another match-up with Pittsburgh left on the schedule. Still Louisville must handle their own business as they host a tough Marquette team on Sunday. Marquette could help their own cause and open up a 4 way tie if they could pull of the win over Louisville and get some help from Connecticut as well. The no. 8 Marquette Golden Eagles own the number 1 scoring offense in the Big East that ranks 10th nationally posting 80.0 points per game. The Golden Eagles dangerous scoring attack is led by one of the best backcourts in all of America. Senior guards Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal lead the team in scoring and are also among the top 4 scorers individually in the conference. McNeal leads the team posting 20.2 points per game while Matthews adds with an equally strong 18.8 points per game. However, these two stellar guards will be squaring off with one of the best scoring defenses in America considering Louisville is only allowing 61.5 points per game on the season. Jerel McNeal will likely be up to the challenge as the Golden Eagles’ star has now scored 20 or more points in the last 11 of 12 games. Marquette was beaten twice by Louisville last season and they will try to avoid any other defeats by the Cardinals this Sunday. The no. 6 Louisville Cardinals are coming off a very strong showing their last time out on the floor when they dominated Georgetown in a big way beating the Hoyas on their home floor 76-58. The win marked the 5th win in the last 6 games for the Cardinals who have been one of the best teams in America in the 2nd half of the regular season. Louisville is only averaging 74.2 points per game this season that ranks in the middle of the high scoring conference. However, the Cardinals rank a very close 2nd behind Connecticut in scoring defense holding opponents to only 61.5 points per game this season. The scoring defense will need to be big again when they take on a Marquette offense that has caused a lot of problems to everyone this season. Cardinals’ standouts Earl Clark and Terrence Williams lead the team both averaging 13 points and just slightly fewer than 9 rebounds. If these two players can aid the Cardinals against the glass, Louisville could slow down Marquette fast pace offense and control the tempo of the game. What to watch for… Pick – Marquette
No. 8 Marquette Golden Eagles (23-5) at No. 6 Louisville Cardinals (22-5)
Sunday, 12:00PM Eastern
The aspect of the game to watch for will definitely be how the Louisville defense affects the Marquette offense. The Cardinals will need to challenge the Golden Eagles shots and definitely not allow in open looks if Marquette starts shooting well especially from the perimeter. If the Golden Eagles can not score many points in transition, they may have to rely on shooting from the outside.
Tags: Big East, Louisville, Marquette, ncaa basketball
College Basketball Betting Preview SBG Global Opening Line: Memphis – 4.5 , Total 138.5 The last team to beat Memphis in Conference USA was UAB almost three years ago. The Tigers have won 54 league games since. The Tigers come into Thursday’s game ranked #5 having won 18 straight games. To keep that streak going they will have to beat a UAB team that hasn’t lost at home this season. “When we’re on the court, I’ve known and played against those guys,” UAB guard Robert Vaden said. “There’s going to be some bad blood. There’s going to be some trash talk and all that stuff. What game isn’t there? Off the court, we’re all OK. On the court, there’s no friends between Memphis and UAB.” SBG Global reports that early College basketball line has the public taking Memphis on the Road. UAB has won 26 of their last 27 home games with the only loss coming 79-78 last year against Memphis in a game in which UAB’s Lawrence Kinnard hit a shot at the end of the game that was ruled to have come just after the buzzer. Memphis came from behind in the last minute to win that game last season. The Blazers would definitely like a little revenge. “I don’t think there is bad blood between the two teams,” UAB coach Mike Davis said. “I think it is more of the fact we are trying to close the gap between Memphis and the rest of the league. And I think Memphis knows we are closing the gap. Until you win on a consistent basis you can’t close the gap.” The matchup on Thursday pits UAB’s shooting against the defense of Memphis. Vaden leads the league in made 3-pointers for UAB but Memphis has a defense that shuts teams down. “We’re really excited,” Vaden said. “This is a chance for us to get a statement win. Everybody’s looking forward to this one, all our fans, everyone in the community. We’re going to come out and play our hardest and of course come out with a win.” Here are the College Basketball betting stats for Thursday’s game. The Tigers are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall. The Tigers are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 Thursday games. The Blazers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 Thursday games. The home team is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings between the two teams. SBG Global Current Line: Memphis – 4.5 , Total 138.5 The Under is 4-1 in the Tigers last 5 overall. The Under is 6-2 in the Tigers last 8 road games. The Over is 6-1 in the Blazers last 7 overall. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings at UAB between the two teams. Pick: Memphis
Memphis (24-3) at UAB (19-8)
Thursday, 9:00 pm Eastern – ESPN 2
Tags: basketball, memphis, ncaa, sports, UAB
NBA Betting Preview Thursday, 8:05 pm Eastern – TNT SBG Global Opening Line: Cavaliers - 2 , Total 184 The Houston Rockets are playing their best basketball of the season, having won five straight games. “Our record doesn’t show it, but we’re starting to show the type of team we are,” Ron Artest said, “We’re starting to come together.” Artest has averaged 20.2 points per game recently and the Rockets are now 16-6 without the injured Tracy McGrady in the starting lineup. Houston faces another team playing well on Thursday night as they host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland has also won their last five games. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Cavaliers on the Road. Cleveland has been fantastic at home this season but only so-so on the road. They have a very tough road trip beginning tonight in Houston. The Cavaliers will also face San Antonio, Atlanta and Miami on this trip. They will also go to Boston late next week. The Cavaliers have won seven of their last nine games on the road. The Cavaliers could be without starting guard Delonte West on Thursday. “As far as I know, it’s a maintenance thing,” head coach Mike Brown said. “He had his wrist immobilized for a few weeks. It might be something he has to deal with (the rest of the season.)” The Cavaliers got 19 points out of guard Daniel Gibson on Tuesday. “I told him it was about time he started making shots,” James said, “We need that out of him.” The Rockets have won 17 of the last 20 home games against Cleveland. Here are more NBA betting stats for Thursday’s game. The Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 vs. the Southwest. The Cavaliers are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 vs. the Western Conference. The Cavaliers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 Thursday games. The Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Houston. The Rockets are 25-9-3 ATS in their last 37 Thursday games. The Rockets are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 home games. The Rockets are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. the Central. The home team is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings between the two teams. SBG Global Current Line: Cavaliers - 2.5 , Total 185.5 The Under is 5-2 in the Cavaliers last 7 overall. The Over is 6-0 in the Rockets last 6 Thursday games. The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Houston between the two teams. Pick: Cavs
Cleveland Cavaliers (44-11) at Houston Rockets (36-21)
Tags: basketball, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, nba, sports
NCAA Betting Preview Bookmaker.com betting line – Even, Marquette (pick) or Connecticut (pick) The No. 10 Marquette Golden Eagles will host the no. 2 ranked Connecticut Huskies inside the Bradley Center from Milwaukee this Wednesday night in an epic showdown of Big East front runners. Connecticut lost the nations top ranking from conference rival Pittsburgh last week, but they still have aspirations of winning the Big East regular season title. However, the Golden Eagles of Marquette will be attempting the same task as these two teams are apart of a four way tie atop the Big East standings that feature in four nationally ranked Top 10 teams. Marquette schedules is brutal with no. 1 Pittsburgh and no. 6 Louisville to immediately follow Wednesday’s showdown, but they still have hopes of a regular season title as well. No. 10 Marquette has had one of the best performing offenses on a consistent basis all year in the conference. The Golden Eagles lead the Big East in scoring offense averaging 80 points per game. Interestingly enough, Marquette has actually faired well against teams with the style of play similar to Connecticut. The Huskies like to slow the game down a bit compared to Marquette and use strong inside game to establish their winning formula. Marquette on the other hand is led by one of the best backcourts in America in their two senior guards Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews. The Golden Eagles can move the ball up and down the court in a hurry and will attempt to score a lot of points in transition. However, they will have to overcome one of the best defensive teams in America if they plan on scoring the victory on Wednesday night. Jerel McNeal leads the team averaging 20 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in 9 of his last 10 games. Wesley Matthews is posting 18 points per game along with two straight 20 plus performances and he too could be a big factor on Wednesday. The No. 2 Connecticut Huskies still have a great shot of winning the conference out right for the regular season title. The Huskies really control their own destiny as long as they can win due to their season finale re-match with Pittsburgh that will take place on March 7th. Connecticut sports the Big East best scoring defense holding teams to only 61 points per game. Also to go along with the strong defense, they also have one of the best all around rebounding teams in America. Junior center Hasheem Thabeet is becoming a lethal force inside the paint averaging big numbers with 13 points and 10.5 rebounds every outing. However, Connecticut supports a strong starting lineup that features a number of star players that could have a breakout performance on any given night. Jeff Adrien, Jerome Dyson, and A.J Price will all attempt to support Thabeet as the Huskies take part of one of their highest stakes games of the season. What to watch for… Marquette has not grabbed a lot of offensive boards this season, but they only allow competitors 31 rebounds per game on average. If they can keep Connecticut from gaining the edge on the glass, I think their dangerous offense could be a real problem for the Huskies. Considering none of the Connecticut big men have any huge breakout nights, the Golden Eagles led by the two stellar senior guards could be in for surprising the nation like they have all season. Pick – Marquette
No. 2 Connecticut Huskies (25-2) at No. 10 Marquette Golden Eagles (23-4)
Bradley Center, 7:00PM Eastern, Wednesday
Tags: Big East, Connecticut, Marquette, ncaa basketball
NBA Betting Preview SBG Global Opening Line: Jazz - 7 , Total 206 The Utah Jazz will look to complete a perfect homestand with a win on Monday night against the Atlanta Hawks. Utah could be in for a little bit of a letdown on Monday considering they are coming off a very emotional win on Saturday night against New Orleans. The Jazz defeated the Hornets 102-88 in the first game since owner Larry Miller died. “It’s great to win on a night like this. We wanted to win for Larry and the whole Miller family,” Deron Williams said. “They’re going through a tough time and hopefully this can ease their pain just a little bit for one night.” Utah has won eight of the last 10 games overall and Williams has surged along with the team. He has averaged 27.4 points and 10.2 assists in his last nine games. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Jazz at Home. Atlanta is 2-2 on their six-game road trip after losing 108-98 to Portland on Friday. Joe Johnson did not shoot the ball well and the Hawks really couldn’t stay in the game late. “They made a run in the second half and it really put them over the hump,” Johnson said. “We just couldn’t recover from it.” The Jazz have won their last 14 home games against the Hawks. Here are more NBA betting stats for Monday’s game. The Hawks are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games as an underdog. The Hawks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. the Western Conference. The Hawks are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Utah. The Jazz are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The Jazz are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite. The Jazz are 15-3 ATS in their last 18 Monday games. The Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. the Southeast. The favorite is 10-2 ATS in the last 12 meetings between the two teams. The under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings. SBG Global Current Line: Jazz - 7 , Total 206 The Over is 5-2 in the Hawks last 7 overall. The Under is 11-5 in the Hawks last 16 vs. the Western Conference. The Over is 4-0 in Utah’s last 4 Monday games. The Over is 9-4 in Utah’s last 13 games as a home favorite. The Over is 17-8 in Utah’s last 25 overall. The Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Utah between the two teams. Pick: Jazz
Atlanta Hawks (32-23) at Utah Jazz (33-23)
Monday, 9:05 pm Eastern
Tags: Atlanta Hawks, nba, sports, Utah Jazz
NCAA Betting Preview Bookmaker.com betting line- North Carolina -20 The No. 3 ranked North Carolina Tarheels will host inner-state rival North Carolina State in Wednesday night hoops action. These two schools have a long history with over 200 plus meetings in their historic rivalry even though the last few years have been dominated by North Carolina. North Carolina State has really had some struggles this season, but they scored a big upset against Wake Forest and they will attempt to do the same against another North Carolina school in the Tarheels. North Carolina on the other hand started off the year very strong before hitting a few bumps in the road. However, since the Tarheels have regained their championship caliber style and appear to be one of the best teams in the country. The Tarheels have had some close encounters with these type of mediocre ACC opponents this year like their close 69-65 win over Miami on Sunday and they will attempt to avoid an embarrassing upsets on their home floor. North Carolina State has been pretty strong on the offensive side of the ball this season, but they have been pretty bad at containing offenses in their losses this season. The Wolfpack gave up 93 points to North Carolina back in the end of January in their 17 point loss and they will have to play a bit better this time around. The Wolfpack allowed the Tarheels to shoot an outstanding 56% in the previous contest and was out rebounded by 10 boards in the game as well. The Wolfpack must keep the Tarheels off the glass and control 2nd chance opportunities first and foremost while getting some help from their key players as well. Brandon Costner, Ben McCaulen, and Courtney Fells are all averaging double figures and will need to be a big impact for North Carolina State on Wednesday night. McCauley and Costner combine to average 14 boards per contest, but they could really help their team if they can grab a few more in Chapel Hill. Costner leads the team with 15 points per game this season leading the Wolfpack. North Carolina State will look to avenge their 17 point loss back in January in what would be a big upset this Wednesday night. North Carolina sports the nation’s 2nd best scoring offense averaging 92 points per game. This rivalry meeting was previously a back and forth affair. However since Coach Roy Williams took over at North Carolina, the Tarheels are a strong 16-1 against the Wolfpack. North Carolina will look to keep things along that path when they host NC State on their home court. The Tarheels are led by 2008 Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough who also is the all-time scoring leader at North Carolina. Hansbrough is posting 21 points per game for the season and will likely be the biggest threat to the Wolfpack. However, there are many more guys wearing the baby blue that could have big nights as North Carolina sports 6 players averaging 10 points or more. Wayne Ellington is averaging 15 points per game on the season and appears to be emerging into a difference maker in the ACC. Keep an eye on North Carolina as they go for their 10 straight win and continue to stay a top the ACC standings when they try and take care of business against the Wolfpack. What to watch for… The 2nd half will tell the tale. North Carolina really wears teams down with their depth, size, and speed. North Carolina State must play hard all 40 minutes and not let the Tarheels rack up too much momentum. Pick – North Carolina will be favored more in this game, but I think the Wolfpack stay within the points. NCSU +20
North Carolina State Wolfpack (14-9) at No. 3 North Carolina Tarheels (23-2)
Wednesday, 8:00PM Eastern
Tags: ACC, ncaa basketball, north carolina, North Carolina State
NCAA Betting Preview Bookmaker.com betting line – Purdue -3 The battle in the Big Ten will rage on this Tuesday night when the No. 19 Purdue Boilermakers host the No. 6 ranked Michigan State Spartans in a big match-up of top 25 teams. This match-up will play huge importance for each team’s chances at winning the Big Ten outright for the regular season. As the standings sit now, the Spartans hold a two game advantage over Illinois and Purdue. However, a win by Purdue on Tuesday night would put everyone right back together again not to mention these two teams will tangle again in the season finale. Michigan State climbed in the polls this week after much of the top 10 fell and they still have a chance at earning a number 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament if they could close out the year strong. The Spartans have won 3 straight since their last defeat against Penn State. Michigan State will have the chance to take a commanding lead in the Big Ten if they could come away victorious from Mackey Arena. Luckily for the Spartans, they are yet to lose this season away from home and they will look to keep the streak alive. Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan lead the Spartans scoring attack both averaging double figures in the rather low scoring conference of the Big Ten. Lucas is posting a team high 15 points per game on the season. Raymar Morgan missed the last 3 games with walking pneumonia and many are wondering how effective the standout forward will be in his return Tuesday night. If Morgan is not at 100%, it would be a big blow for the Spartans in this important game. However, Michigan State has won all 3 games without Morgan and regardless they will attempt to take down Big Ten foe Purdue on Tuesday night. Purdue has won two straight games after suffering back-to-back losses to Ohio State and Illinois. The Boilermakers continue to get back to their winning ways if they have any aspirations at winning the Big Ten regular season crown. This is a must win situation for Purdue against their inner-conference rival and that is one of the leading reasons they are a 3 point favorite heading into the contest. The Boilermakers have an awesome threesome in E’Twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson, and Robbie Hummel. Moore leads the team with 13.6 points per game with Johnson nipping at his heels with 13.4 points per contest. However, Hummel likely could be the biggest asset with 12 points per game while really helping out on the glass with 7 boards per game. Purdue will need all the help they can get against the boards considering Michigan State is one of the better rebounding teams in America. The Boilermakers appear to be prime for the big win as many are expecting them to chalk up a big victory against the Spartans come Tuesday. What to watch for… Pick – Game means more to Purdue. Boilermakers -3
No. 6 Michigan State Spartans (20-4) at No. 19 Purdue Boilermakers (19-6)
Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, I.A., 7:00PM Eastern Tuesday
The Spartans offense and the Boilermakers defense will be the fun battle to watch. The Spartans own the conference’s best scoring offense with 75 ppg while the Boilermakers sport the 2nd best scoring defense in the conference holding opponents to only 57 ppg. Raymar Morgan health could be a primary aspect for the way this game plays out. If Morgan can play up to his potential then I believe the Spartans get the slight edge, if not the edge goes back to Purdue.
Tags: Big Ten, Michigan State, ncaa basketball, Purdue
NCAA Betting Preview Bookmaker.com betting line – Connecticut -3 The biggest game of the Big East Conference basketball season will likely take place on Monday night live from the Gampel Pavilion when the No. 1 Connecticut Huskies host the No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers. Connecticut not only holds the nations number 1 ranking, but also hold the top spot in the conference. However, the Panthers have won 5 straight games and they were the nation’s former number 1 earlier this season and they will make an attempt to take down the Huskies to get back on top of the Big East standings. The game will be the first of two meetings between these two regular season conference title hopefuls in the last month of the season. Connecticut has been stellar in all aspects of the game this season. The offense is sound and the defense has been stellar. Not to mention the Huskies are one of the best teams in the land at grabbing rebounds. The Huskies are averaging 77 points per game this season and rank 3rd in the country averaging 42 rebounds per contest as well. However, possibly the most impressive statistic that Connecticut possesses is that they are the top ranked scoring defense in the conference and also a top 25 national scoring defense holding opponents to only 60 points per game. Amazingly, the Huskies have two outstanding players averaging double-doubles. Jeff Adrien leads the team in scoring average with 14 points per contest while averaging 10 rebounds as well. The 7’3” monster on the inside Hasheem Thabeet is a big threat in the paint averaging 13.5 points and 11 rebounds per game. Thabeet is also coming off a 25 points 20 rebound performance and could be a big impact on Monday night. Pittsburgh has won 5 straight games since their last loss to Villanova back in late January. The Panthers are one of the better scoring teams in the conference and one of the better scoring teams in America nearly averaging 80 points per game. Pittsburgh has a strong inside team, but can be equally dangerous from the perimeter. The inside game will likely be the most watched battle as Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair goes against Hasheem Thabeet. Blair is averaging the nations 5th best individual total in rebounds with 12.3 boards per game and also contributes with 15 point per game as well. The leader of the team is senior forward Sam Young who is posting 18 points per game while adding 6 boards and the Panthers would love for the senior to come up with another big night. Pittsburgh definitely needs all their players to come up big in the rebounding category considering Connecticut has not been out rebounded in a single game this season. What to watch for… Pick – Pittsburgh +3
No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers (23-2) at Connecticut Huskies (24-1)
Monday, 7:00PM Eastern
The inside battle will be the most interesting to watch with Thabeet and Blair with others colliding in the paint. However, while whoever wins that battle will make a big impact I believe the guard play will be equally important. Huskies’ A.J Price and Jerome Dyson will match-up against Levance Fields and Jermaine Dixon. The guards that can make some fast breaks and successful drives to the hole will likely establish the pace of the game for their team.
Tags: Big East, Connecticut, ncaa basketball, Pittsburgh
NASCAR Preview Daytona International Speedway will host the 51st running of the Daytona 500 this Sunday in the biggest racing event of the season. The Daytona 500 is one of the most watched sporting events every year and has grown much more popular than the famous Indy 500. The top drivers in NASCAR will take to the high banked 2.5 mile super speedway on Sunday in search of one of the most prestigious titles in racing that claims an individual as Daytona 500 Champion. Often times on NASCAR’s biggest stage, the cream rises to the top and that will be expected this Sunday. Over the week some familiar faces have paced the field through practices and qualifying races and this weekend’s spectacle will likely come down to a battle between the top names in the sport. Although there is no lop sided favorite heading into this Sunday, Kyle Busch is receiving the highest odds to win at 5/1. Busch won an amazing 8 races last year in a breakout season and also captured Gatorade 125 qualifying race win on Thursday. The young talented driver of the #18 Toyota will be expected to run up front this weekend with a chance to win. Former teammate of Busch, Tony Stewart is another familiar face that has ran upfront all week long. Stewart who now owns Stewart-Haas racing has kept his new #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet out front against the best in the business all week. Considering how well Stewart usually runs in the restrictor plate style racing, many expect the 2-time Champion to be a factor come time for the checker flag. One name that has come up often over the week is that of 50 year old veteran Mark Martin. Martin did not run a full season list year in a limited ride, but signed as the 4th member of Hendrick Motorsports at the end of last year to give one more chance at a full season. Martin qualified on the outside pole and is guaranteed the 2nd starting spot. However, Martin also kept the #5 Kellogg’s Chevrolet out front of the majority of the Duel 125 race before finishing with a 2nd place finish. Many have noticed how strong the #5 machine has been all weekend and are anticipating a strong showing by one of the sentimental favorites for Sunday. Hendrick teammates Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt Jr are all huge names that have had success at Daytona. Gordon has won the Daytona 500 3 times which leads all active drivers and capped off a win in the qualifying races on Thursday as well. Jimmie Johnson won the 2006 Daytona 500 and has also seemed to have a solid ride all week. While Dale Earnhardt Jr is always a factor at the super speedways and all eyes will be on NASCAR’s most popular superstar. Earnhardt Jr won the Daytona 500 back in 2004 and has always been one of the best drivers to take part of restrictor plate racing. Kevin Harvick captured a win in the Budweiser Shootout last week and also won the 2007 Daytona 500. While Harvick is not considered by many a restrictor plate racer, he ranks in the top 5 in driver average finishes at Daytona. Harvick has struggled much of the week and if he is to make anymore magic happen he will have to do so from the 32nd starting position. 18 year old Joey Logano opened a lot of eyes heading into the weekend after a strong 3rd place showing in the qualifying races. Logano will make his first official Sprint Cup point’s race start this weekend and it will be interesting to see if Logano can continue to impress. The young kid has received a lot of hype over the last year and not it is time for him to prove it on the track. Other names to keep an eye on this weekend that may be potential dark horses include Jamie McMurray. McMurray has been up and down in the past at the super speedways, but basing around how the car has looked this week the #26 Crown Royal machine could really impress some people this Sunday. Also Juan Pablo Montoya finished 3rd in one of the Duels on Thursday and he too has looked strong through the practice fazes heading into the Great American Race. Notable Daytona 500 Betting Odds… Dale Earnhardt Jr 6/1
Daytona 500
Sunday 2:00PM Eastern
Mark Martin 12/1
Jimmie Johnson 7/1
Kevin Harvick 15/1
Denny Hamlin 15/1
Kyle Busch 5/1
Joey Logano 50/1
Tony Stewart 12/1
Jeff Gordon 8/1
Carl Edwards 15/1
Kasey Kahne 35/1
Brian Vickers 40/1
Jamie McMurray 25/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 40/1
