2017 Chevrolet Silverado 250 Race Predictions
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Betting Preview
Sunday September 3rd, 2:53PM (EST) at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
by Jay Horne of NASCARWagers.com, NASCAR Handicapping Service
On Sunday, NASCAR will feature a rare double header between the Camping World Truck Series and the Monster Energy Cup Series. As most anticipate the running of the Southern 500 decorated with Darlington’s throwback schemes, the Camping World Truck Series will officially get the racing started on Sunday with the running of the Chevrolet Silverado 250 north of the border at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. As we anticipate a full day of racing, we take this time to preview the Truck Series and provide our thoughts on the drivers that you can expect to challenge for the victory!
The first obvious aspect of this race is that the entry list features all Truck Series regulars and part-time drivers. Since the Xfinity and Cup Series drivers are in Darlington, we do not have any participants double dipping in the Truck Series this weekend. Also, tomorrow’s race maybe somewhat complexing considering this is the only road course race for Truck Series participants each year. I know it seems like we have been at several road courses races recently between the Cup and Xfinity Series. However, tomorrow’s Chevrolet Silverado 250 will be the first road course race since last year’s same event that ended in a dogfight between Cole Custer and winner John Hunter Nemechek. If you remember that race and that finish, you remember the drama that pursued even after the final flag waved.
Sparks could easily fly again tomorrow when the green flag waves because road course racing produces aggressive driving and several of these drivers are inexperienced with this type of racing. Experience is something that may be fairly important in predicting the drivers that could win tomorrow’s race. Obviously John Hunter Nemechek will be expected to run well following last year’s win. Nemechek has two wins this season and you have to believe that he will be one of the frontrunners in a field that lacks some of the talent that we see most weeks. Also, guys like Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter are the only drivers that have participated in all races at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park since the Truck Series debuted here in 2013. Sauter has never performed well in this style of racing. Crafton has been better and was close to winning in 2015 before settling for a runner-up finish.
Still experience is just a preferable tangible but not necessarily a necessity. On Saturday, Christopher Bell appeared to be the best in terms of single truck lap speed. Bell was 2nd fastest in the opening session then posted the fastest lap of the weekend in Happy Hour. Considering Bell’s dominance against Truck Series regulars this year and combined practice speeds, it appears that he would be the overwhelming favorite as Sunday’s race approaches. However, I am still a bit skeptical. Bell lacks road course experience and he looked pretty bad just last week in the Xfinity Series at Road America. Obviously the competition is tougher in the Xfinity Series but I think that race shed some light on Bell’s road course talent. Therefore, I don’t see Bell as the overwhelming favorite that some may expect.
Instead I think everyone should be open minded when considering the possibilities tomorrow. I consider Sunday’s race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park wide open in similar fashion to last week’s Xfinity Series event at Road America that was won by first time winner Jeremy Clements. If we are to see a first time winner in the Truck Series, I would look at guys like Austin Cindric, Parker Kligerman, or veteran road course specialist Alex Tagliani. Tagliani has the best road course background of any driver in the field and has made several appearances in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. However, my biggest concern surrounding Tagliani entails the #02 truck and the equipment he has to utilize. Tagliani will be behind the wheel for owner Randy Young at Young’s Motorsports who is a part-time team with questionable resources. Therefore, I am just not sure if he has the equipment to get the job done despite a tremendous skillset.
Austin Cindric and Parker Kligerman are two guys that I believe have excellent opportunities to shine on Sunday. Cindric actually won the pole earlier this afternoon and has been solid in both practices. I like Cindric’s background for this type of race. He attended the prestigious Skip Barber Racing School which specializes in road course racing and later participated in the USF2000 Championship Series. Therefore he has a pedigree that deserves attention for this type of race. Lastly, I would also not overlook Parker Kligerman in the #75 truck. He does not have the road course background like Cindric but he does have a lot of experience in NASCAR throughout the years. Kligerman has been in the top 6 in every session this weekend and even qualified in the 6th position. Kligerman stated in one of his interviews that he has been looking forward to Sunday’s race for several weeks and perhaps his performances in sessions are indicative of his confidence heading into tomorrow’s 250 mile race.
2017 Chevrolet Silverado 250 Race Predictions
Christopher Bell +600 (1.5 units)
John Hunter Nemechek +800 (1 unit)
Two Team Parlay
Austin Cindric +270 wins Chevrolet Silverado 250
Team 2 – Open
Risking 1 unit to win: TBD
H2H Matchups
Matt Crafton -125 over Johnny Sauter (2 units)
Austin Cindric -240 over Chase Briscoe (2 units)
