2015 Sprint Cup Championship Futures Preview

2015 Sprint Cup Championship Futures Preview
by Jay, NASCAR Handicapper, NASCARWagers.com

We are less than two months away from firing the engines on the start of the 2015 NASCAR season as we continue the countdown and anticipation towards dropping the green flag at the Daytona 500 on February 22nd which will officially reign in the new season. There will be some changes that are worth noting as we actively prepare for the 2015 campaign. There is a vastly different rules package that teams will have to figure out without hardly any offseason testing and we have some new faces in new rides this year as well. It is hard to predict exactly which teams will be more prepared at the start of the season but rest assured that your normal big named drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, and Brad Keselowski will be around when it is time to race for a championship. We take this time to take an early look at the 2015 Sprint Cup Championship and provide our thoughts for those drivers that should contend for the championship.

There are currently 18 drivers listed on the preseason ballot for the Sprint Cup Title at 5Dimes. However we found out last year with this new Sprint Cup Chase format that any driver can win it. Ryan Newman was listed as an insane 250 to 1 longshot at the beginning of last year’s Chase and came up just 1 position short of grabbing the title. There are not any huge longshots currently showing at most online betting shops but rest assured these odds will change over the course of the season. Therefore if you are looking for a huge longshot that is worth a big payday then you may want to be patient. However, there are still some good odds on some of the bigger names in the sport that you may want to consider right away.

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The “Six Time” champion in Jimmie Johnson is currently the overall favorite near 6 to 1 odds with the reigning Sprint Cup Champion Kevin Harvick closely behind at near 7 to 1 odds. Both of those drivers deserve to be among the top two favorites. Harvick had more speed than anyone in 2014 and the #4 car proved it on a near weekly basis. If it was not for bad luck and pit crew mistakes throughout the summer months, the team probably should have won 10-12 races in 2014. Johnson on the other hand had a somewhat subpar season in comparison to his prestigious status quo of year’s past. However, I have a feeling the #48 team is going to benefit from these rules package changes and be among the top drivers again on a weekly basis this season.

Neither Johnson nor Harvick have too much value at this stage in the game as their overall odds will not change too much despite what happens until the Chase starts. However the next guy showing on the list in Brad Keselowski at +775 does have some value in my opinion. Keselowski won more races than anyone in 2014 and I believe his style is perfect for the Chase. Keselowski proved last year he will do whatever it takes to win and also showed he could get the job done when the odds were against him like he did in the victory at Talladega to advance to the Eliminator Round. I highly doubt you will see Keselowski at better odds and at near 8 to 1 odds it may just be worth the ROI.

A few other guys that stick out on the list are Carl Edwards (+1300) and Kyle Larson (+2150). Despite not making the Chase in 2014, Larson was among the hottest drivers in the Chase through the first 6 races with finishes of no worse than 6th. Surely it would be a huge upset for the 2nd year driver to win the championship but then he does very well at most of the tracks that are in the Chase. Larson also really likes Homestead which makes him a threat if he somehow finds the magic to make it to the 4 man finale for the title. Edwards on the other hand is coming off a disappointing farewell season with Roush-Fenway Racing but will be trying to re-establish himself among the sports best this year in the #19 car at Joe Gibbs Racing. First year drivers at new teams have had huge seasons over the past two years. Matt Kenseth led all drivers in 2013 with 7 wins in his first season in the #20 with JGR. Last year Harvick won the Championship in his first year with Stewart-Haas Racing. I have always had a lot of respect for Edwards ability behind the wheel and I think he is poised for a breakout season. Of course time will only tell if that prediction holds to be true.

There are several other drivers that peak our interest surrounding their current odds. Can Jeff Gordon turn back father time and have his back hold up to make another run at the Championship? Can Dale Earnhardt Jr succeed without former crew chief Steve Letarte? Will Tony Stewart return to relevance after dealing with so much personally and emotionally in 2014 that was surrounded by the Sprint car accident that claimed the life of Kevin Ward Jr? How will Joey Logano follow up after having the best season of his career? Will anyone revive Roush-Fenway Racing? Those questions and more to be answered in time but I speak for everyone at NASCARWagers.com when I say we cannot wait to see the action start back!