Lilly Diabetes 250 Race Picks
NASCAR Nationwide Series Betting Preview
Date and Time: Saturday July 26th, 2014. 4:49PM Eastern
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
TV: ESPN
By: NASCAR Wagers, NASCAR Handicapping Service
This afternoon marks the Nationwide Series’ 3rd visit to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the running of the Lilly Diabetes 250. Prior to the 2012 season, the Sprint Cup Series was the only NASCAR touring series that visited auto racing’s most famous track. In previous years the Nationwide Series race was held on Saturday at Lucas Oil Raceway, located about 7 miles from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as the prelude to the Brickyard 400. However the combination of the Nationwide Series’ growing popularity along with the inescapable magnitude of racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway could no longer be avoided. NASCAR officially made the move to a double header weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012 and today’s Lilly Diabetes 250 will carry on that new tradition when the Nationwide Series takes center stage for 250 miles at Indy. Take a look as we break down today’s racing action and provide our Lilly Diabetes 250 race picks as the Nationwide Series goes racing at Indianapolis.
We do not have a lot of historical data to review with the Nationwide Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Brad Keselowski won the first Nationwide Series race at Indy in 2012 and then Kyle Busch won this race from the pole last season making it a 2 for 2 sweep from Sprint Cup Series drivers. Today Sprint Cup veterans Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Paul Menard, and Kyle Larson are overwhelming favorites to make it 3 for 3 for the Cup guys at Indy. Of course some of the Nationwide Series regulars like Chase Elliot, Regan Smith, Elliot Sadler, and Ty Dillon hope to spoil that plan. Rookie Chase Elliot scored his 3rd win of the season last week at Chicagoland and took full control of the Nationwide Series point lead. Regan Smith and Elliot Sadler are also amongst the tight point’s battle for the Nationwide Series Championship. However all of those guys struggled in practice for the most part. The only Nationwide Series regular that was consistently strong in practice was Ty Dillon. Dillon has dominated the speed charts in practices in recent weeks but has not been able to convert the fast lap speed into wins. The #3 team took a step in the right direction last week with their first top 5 finish at Chicagoland Speedway and perhaps they can build off that momentum.
Still, if you are searching for a winner then you best bet is to break down the group of Sprint Cup guys entered in today’s race because there are plenty of big name drivers. Even David Ragan was at the top of the charts in practice and will start 16th in today’s race. So what guys should we expect to contend for the win today? Obviously Kyle Busch will be a threat. To keep it simple, Kyle Busch is always a threat and he dominated this race a year ago. Outside of Rowdy, I would make a push towards making a case for Kevin Harvick. In 8 Nationwide Series starts this season, Happy has posted two wins and 7 top 5 finishes. Harvick’s only finish outside the top 5 was a 7th place showing at Darlington. However, Harvick has won 2 of his last 3 starts and he has done exceptionally well at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the Cup side with the 3rd best average finish among Sprint Cup veterans. We know the #5 car is fast and we know ‘Happy’ can get it done so keep him on your radar today.
Kyle Larson finished 11th last year in his first trip to Indianapolis. So far this week, the #42 has been fairly average in terms of speed. Kenseth was 5th in final practice and is still searching for his first Indianapolis Motor Speedway win any of NASCAR’s touring series. Logano has been solid in terms of lap speed this weekend. Logano has captured at least one Nationwide Series victory in each year of his career but is currently winless in 2014. Paul Menard has also shown some of that RCR speed in practice this weekend. The 2011 Brickyard winner won a few weeks back at Michigan in the Nationwide Series and he could be a solid dark horse for this afternoon’s race as well. We are still waiting for odds to be reposted following Nationwide Series qualifying. Be sure to check back with us this afternoon prior to race time that is schedule at 4:49pm (EST) for our full betting card for the Lilly Diabetes 250.
Lilly Diabetes 250 Race Picks
Kevin Harvick +650 (1 unit): won 2 of last 3 Nationwide Series races, good track record at Indy, 4th in final practice, and starting 4th
Matt Kenseth +675 (1 unit): 5th fastest in final practice, starting 2nd, finished in top 5 in 2 of last 3 Brickyard 400’s
Paul Menard +1400 (.5 unit): 2011 Brickyard winner, Nationwide Series winner at Michigan earlier this year, 7th in final practice, starting 9th
H2H Matchups
Ty Dillon -130 over Brian Scott (4 units)
Paul Menard -130 over Chase Elliot (2 units)
Kevin Harvick +130 over Joey Logano (2 units)
Check back closer to race time for added plays
