2015 Buckle Up 200 Race Picks
NASCAR Xfinity Series Betting Preview
Saturday May 30th, 2:46PM (EST) at Dover International Speedway
by NASCARWagers.com, NASCAR Handicapping Service
The Xfinity Series will get their turn at the Monster Mile today with the running of the Buckle Up 200. Yesterday the Camping World Truck Series kicked off the racing weekend with an exciting race that was won by Tyler Reddick. Today the Xfinity Series will get to take their crack at Dover International Speedway when the green flag drops at 2:46PM (EST). A full field of stars are ready to try and tackle the Monster Mile as we prepare for 200 laps of fun racing. Take a look at our 2015 Buckle Up 200 race picks and preview!
A talented lineup awaits today’s Buckle Up 200 at Dover International Speedway with the likes of Matt Kenseth, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney, among others ready to give it their all at the Monster Mile. Matt Kenseth is the only driver in today’s field that has a previous win at Dover in the Xfinity Series. Kenseth actually has two wins but the last came all the way back in September of 2000. Therefore, the playing field is pretty level for today’s race and we could easily see a surprise winner in victory lane similar to yesterday’s Camping World Truck Series race.
Considering all the wrecks and “aero” sensitive issues that were apparent in the Truck Series race on Friday, I think everyone should have at least 1 long shot on your roster for today’s race if not more. Leaders will benefit from the clean air giving opportunities for different strategies on pit road and the Monster Mile is typically known for claiming a few victims during each event which could bring some other competitors into play as well given the possibility that some of the favorites could find trouble. So who should be the drivers that contend today? Well that question is very difficult to answer.
Normally we would compare practice speeds with track history for a starting point. However, most of the drivers competing today have very little track experience to go by. Additionally, the track these cars practiced on during Friday’s sessions will be completely different when they drop the green flag later today. We saw how much the track conditions changed from the first practice to qualifying in the Sprint Cup Series on Friday. Well the track has had 200 laps of Truck Series action and will have two additional Sprint Cup Series practices in the books by the time the green flag waves later today. Therefore, practice speeds hold little significance at this point. Instead, I think you have to go by things like momentum, similar track type history, experience, and other angles to help handicap today’s race.
Obviously you would give the Cup guys the experience edge especially Matt Kenseth who has 20 starts in the Xfinity Series alone at Dover. Kenseth has 11 top 5 finishes in those 20 starts as well which is pretty solid even for Xfinity Series action. If you add in the fact that he is in a strong #20 machine, you can see why he is currently the overall favorite. However, guys like Kasey Kahne and Austin Dillon both have plenty of starts under their belts at Dover as well. Dillon is having a heck of a year in the Xfinity Series with two wins already but he has yet to post a top 5 finish in 4 previous Dover starts. Kahne really likes racing at Dover but has never visited victory lane in either the Sprint Cup nor Xfinity Series in 36 combined starts.
Of course you cannot count out any of the veterans but I do not think you can label any of those guys overwhelming favorites entering today’s race. Most would consider Erik Jones and Ryan Blaney as the next best threats to win today’s race and rightfully so. However do not be afraid to look at some of the Xfinity Series regulars as potential contenders. Guys like Ty Dillon, Brian Scott, Chase Elliot, and Darrell Wallace Jr all have Dover experience on their resume. Elliot posted two top 5’s at Dover here last season as a rookie and “Bubba” has come alive in the #6 machine in recent weeks. I believe both Elliot and “Bubba” could be potential players this afternoon if they can both stay on top of their changes throughout the afternoon.
Buckle Up 200 Race Picks
Kasey Kahne +725 (1 unit): 0 wins at Dover but looked solid in race trim, one of the most experienced drivers in the field, starting 7th
Darrell Wallace Jr +1700 (1 unit): finishes of 6th and 5th in last two weeks, was fast on speed in final practice and thought they could be faster, won pole in first Dover start in 2012 so current odds have a lot of value
Chris Buescher +1750 (.5 unit): finished 4th last year at Dover, fastest 10 lap average, finished 3rd at Bristol aka “mini Dover”, half unit value play
H2H Match-ups
Chris Buescher -140 over Regan Smith (3 units)
Darrell Wallace Jr -135 over Elliot Sadler (3 units)
Chase Elliot +120 over Ryan Blaney (2 units)
Matt Kenseth -130 over Kasey Kahne (2 units)
