Sprint Unlimited Preview and Picks
NASCAR Betting Preview
Saturday February 14th, 8:15PM at Daytona International Speedway
by Jay Horne of NASCARWagers.com, NASCAR Handicapping Service
A star studded field will take the green flag tonight in the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway. This All-Star talented field will consist of 25 cars who will battle it out for 75 laps in the first competitive race of the 2015 season. While tonight’s race is not a point’s race, the Sprint Unlimited is an exciting prelude to next week’s Daytona 500 and features an exciting restrictor plate exhibition race at NASCAR’s most infamous track. Take a look as we preview the first race of the 2015 season as drivers seek one thing and one thing only, a victory at Daytona!
There are simply too many unknowns to accurately place any type of handicapping strategy on tonight’s race. Engine packages have changed from a year ago and it is impossible to know for sure which teams have improved or regressed over the off season. Therefore tonight’s race is rather unpredictable and should be treated lightly for bettors. However, it is still hard to fight off the urge to throw a few bets out at tonight’s 75 lap race especially considering the odds are rather generous. With that thought in mind, here are the drivers that I personally like tonight.
Keep in mind these picks are unofficial. Official picks will start at the 4th race of the season at Phoenix
Dale Earnhardt Jr (+975) or Denny Hamlin (+1000)
Both Dale Earnhardt Jr and Denny Hamlin are among the top 3 favorites for tonight’s race behind Kevin Harvick. Why Kevin Harvick is the overall favorite? I’m not quite sure. Not to downplay Harvick’s restrictor plate talent, but his best finish at any restrictor plate track last season was 7th in his most dominant year in the Sprint Cup Series. Hamlin and Dale Jr on the other hand are deserving favorites. The only downside is that you may have to choose to take just 1 driver unless you are not going to gamble on a longshot or two. Hamlin nearly swept the 2014 Daytona Speedweeks by winning the Sprint Unlimited, a Gatorade Duel, and then finishing 2nd in the 500. Hamlin also scored a win at Talladega and finished 6th at Daytona in July. Hamlin was easily the best restrictor plate driver in 2014 and it helps the #11 car also looked pretty sporty in yesterday’s practice sessions. Earnhardt was also happy with the changes the #88 car made in the 2nd practice session by stating they picked up some speed. A fast #88 car is dangerous for the field. Junior has more restrictor plate wins than any driver in the series and the defending Daytona 500 winner will be seeking his 3rd win in the Unlimited.
Jeff Gordon (+1350)
I personally like Jeff Gordon’s chances tonight. Gordon announced a few weeks ago that he will retire at the end of the season and he will undoubtedly go down as one of the best drivers of all-time. However, let’s not think of Gordon as going out while his career is on the decline. Gordon had an excellent 2014 campaign and I truly believe they will contend for the championship again in 2015. The #24 team is really working hard to make sure he goes out a winner. I believe this #24 team is going to have another big year. For tonight, I think Gordon is going a bit under the radar. He leads all drivers with 6 wins and finished 4th in last year’s Daytona 500. Gordon was solid on practice speeds yesterday which does not mean very much but adds to the cause.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr (+3300)
Not many people will like this bet, but I really do not care. I may just back Stenhouse in every restrictor plate race until he wins one of them. I have watched him very carefully at the restrictor plate tracks and he does a tremendous job at these tracks with very little notice. Most of his good finishes have come at Talladega, but I think the #17 is going to be the dark horse to watch tonight. At 33 to 1 odds, I will take a shot at a big upset in tonight’s Sprint Unlimited.
H2H Match-Ups
Paul Menard -130 over Aric Almirola
