2015 Rhino Linings 350 Race Picks
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Betting Preview
Saturday October 3rd, 10:19PM (EST) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
by Jay Horne of NASCARWagers.com, NASCAR Handicapping Service
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will cap off an action packed Saturday later tonight with the running of the Rhino Linings 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Currently 30 trucks are listed on tonight’s entry list that features all Truck Series regulars for the most part due to the fact both the Xfinity and Sprint Cup Series are in Dover this weekend. So whether you have been watching football all day or simply waited for more NASCAR action, get ready for some Saturday night truck racing as we provide our 2015 Rhino Linings 350 race picks!
The first thing that is obvious going into tonight’s race is that Erik Jones and Matt Crafton are the drivers to beat. In fact, it would be a mild upset if someone else found their way to victory lane tonight. Jones is the defending winner of the Rhino Linings 350 despite last year’s race being dominated by Darrell Wallace Jr until the closing laps of the race. Jones is always a threat to win these races but I do think some people would be surprised that he only has two wins thus far this season in 17 starts. Perhaps more surprising is the fact that Jones has not won all season on the 1.5 mile tracks that dominate the Truck Series schedule.
On the other hand, Matt Crafton has dominated everything on the 1.5 mile tracks this season. Crafton has 4 wins this season, the most of his career, and they have all come on 1.5 mile tracks (Atlanta, Kansas, Texas, and Kentucky). In the only other two races on 1.5 mile tracks between Charlotte and Chicagoland, Crafton has finished 3rd and 14th most recently. Needless to say, those stats are quite impressive and I truly believe that the #88 has to be the guy to beat going into tonight’s race. To back that statement up even further, Crafton posted the fastest lap of the day earlier in practice with a speed of 177.719mph. Currently Crafton is listed at low +180 odds but I am predicting that should get better considering Jones typically out qualifies the #88.
Either way those two trucks should be the guys to beat tonight. Outside of those two overwhelming favorites, you have a pretty wide open field. The youngster Brandon Jones looked really good in the #33 truck during practice while guys like Tyler Reddick and Timothy Peters also showed some speed. However, I think the next biggest threat to win tonight’s race outside of the #4 and #88 machines will be the #98 of Johnny Sauter. Sauter has rather quietly been one of the stronger trucks in the series over the last two months with 6 straight finishes of 9th or better with 5 of those 6 results being in the top 6 positions. The #98 is finally performing at the level that teammate Matt Crafton has been this season and I think this team is getting really close to scoring their first victory of the season.
2015 Rhino Linings 350 Race Picks
Matt Crafton +145 (4 units): 4 wins on 1.5 mile tracks this season, fastest in practice, starting on pole
H2H Matchup
Johnny Sauter -140 over Timothy Peters (3 units)
