2015 Lakes Region 200 Race Picks
NASCAR Xfinity Series Betting Preview
Saturday July 18th, 4:15PM (EST) at Kentucky Speedway
by NASCARWagers.com, NASCAR Handicapping Service
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will kick start a weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this afternoon with the running of the Lakes Region 200. An action packed field, including Sprint Cup Series stars Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, and Austin Dillon, await today’s 200 mile event in search of the checkered flag. Denny Hamlin won the pole for today’s race and will be making his 5th start in the Xfinity Series in Loudon. Despite having 4 top 5 finishes in his 4 prior starts, Hamlin has yet to win at Loudon in the Xfinity Series. The #20 looked strong earlier today and perhaps can finally capture the checkered flag for the first time at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Check out our 2015 Lakes Region 200 race picks!
One of the first things that bettors should know for today’s race is that Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski have dominated New Hampshire Motor Speedway in this series over the last several years. In fact, both drivers have won the last 6 straight races at NHMS going back to 2009. Busch has 4 of those races but Keselowski has won 2 of the last 3 including the most recent checkered flag in 2014. Therefore considering recent track history, strength of the field, and the fact both drivers are in two of the best cars yet again; it would be impossible not to consider the #22 and #54 as the cars to beat entering today’s race. To add additional evidence to that claim, the #54 and #22 were 1-2 in final practice on 10 lap averages as both cars flexed their muscles in race trim. Expect both cars to be really good this afternoon.
The more important question that we would raise for today’s race is who can stop Busch and Keselowski? Hamlin has had a ton of success at New Hampshire Motor Speedway despite 0 wins in the Xfinity Series. However, Hamlin was one of the best looking cars outside the #54 and #22 in terms of race trim speed. Hamlin has posted finishes of 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, and 5th in his prior 4 starts so he definitely knows how to get around the 1.058 mile speedway. If the #54 or #22 get into trouble, Hamlin may be your best alternative option. However, Austin Dillon would also be a guy to watch as well. Dillon was fastest in final practice and did not run 10 consecutive laps like most drivers. However, Dillon was 2nd fastest in 5 lap averages which indicate his single lap speed was not a fluke. Dillon is tied for the most wins in the Xfinity Series this season with Joey Logano and is searching his 4th victory of the year.
Obviously it appears that the Sprint Cup Series guys are the overwhelming favorites in today’s race due to the fact of how they have not only dominated at this track over the years but also for how much muscle those guys displayed in both practices. I do not believe today is the day that we will see a Xfinity Series regular score the upset over the Sprint Cup guys even though the Xfinity Series regulars are as talented as ever which has been proven by their success already this season. However if you are looking for a guy that could surprise some people today in H2H situations, consider the #18 of Daniel Suarez. The JGR cars look great and Suarez has been rock solid over the last month or more. Suarez has had a lot of seat time at NHMS in other series and I think he could be a steal today in matchup situations.
2015 Lakes Region 200 Race Picks
Kyle Busch +275 (2.5 units): best 10 lap average in final practice, 4 wins in the last 6 races at NHMS, looked to have best car on long green runs
H2H Match-ups
Daniel Suarez -115 over Brian Scott (2 units)
Denny Hamlin -130 over Austin Dillon (2 units)
