Do you like long shot? If so, this is the race for you. The races at Talladega usually have a wreck in the final laps which allows for some of the drivers who run in the back to finish up front. The top teams are starting to figure out ways to avoid the chaos (usually by trying their best to run up front) but you can never count out the lower funded race teams at this track. This is a good race to throw a couple of darts and hope you hit the bullseye.
Las Vegas Odds for Talladega
Ryan Blaney (10-1): Ryan Blaney is the favorite to win Sunday and he should be. Blaney has won the last two races at Talladega and he should have a good chance to win Sunday. He is very good at keeping his Ford up front and ahead of the wrecks. He also has two good teammates (Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski) to help push him to the win. 10-1 is not too bad of odds, so I will put a few bucks on the No. 12 car Sunday.
Denny Hamlin (11-1): Denny Hamlin is my pick to win Sunday. He starts on the pole and has the No. 1 pit stall. He should lead a lot of laps and dominate this race. Hamlin is usually better at Daytona than he is at Talladega but he is getting better at this track. Hamlin finished 3rd and 4th in his last two races at Talladega. I expect the No. 11 car to be in Victory Lane and secure a spot in the Round of 8.
Erik Jones (30-1): Erik Jones is no stranger to Victory Lane at the Superspeedways. He won the race at Daytona in 2018. He also finished 5th at Talladega last June. What makes Jones so good is that he usually spends most of the race next to his teammate, Denny Hamlin. That is a not a bad spot to be at. I will take a chance with Jones at 30-1 odds Sunday.
Austin Dillon (33-1): Austin Dillon had a fast car in Las Vegas but a pit road penalty ruined their race. Now the No. 3 car is 32 points below the cutoff for the Round of 8. The chances of Dillon advancing on points are slim. The No. 3 team will likely sacrifice Stage points in Stage 2 to ensure they start up front in the final Stage and have the best chance to win. Dillon won the Daytona 500 in 2018 so he knows how to win on a Superspeedway. I will bet some money on a driver who is almost in a “must win situation” at 33-1 odds.
Chris Buescher (50-1): Chris Buescher is one of the most underrated drivers on the Superspeedways. He has not been to Victory Lane yet, but he has a habit of finishing in the top 10. So far this year, Buescher finished 3rd in the Daytona 500, 6th at Talladega in June and 9th at Daytona in August. I just need a little improvement and a little luck for Buescher to cash in at 50-1 odds. I will put $5 on him and hope to win $250.
Good luck this week!
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