Treatmyclot.com 300 Preview and Picks
NASCAR Nationwide Racing
Date and Time: Saturday March 22nd, 2014. 5:18PM Eastern
Where: Auto Club Speedway
TV: ESPN
The NASCAR Nationwide Series will take the green flag today at Auto Club Speedway in the Treatmyclot.com 300. Regan Smith currently holds a 1 point lead over Trevor Bayne in the Nationwide Series point’s standings. Both drivers have finished inside the top 10 in every race this season which is something no other driver has accomplished. However, keep your eye on the talented rookies of Ty Dillon and Chase Elliot. Dillon is 3rd in the standings just 8 points back while Elliot is 4th and 13 points back. Both young drivers have proven they have tremendous talent and I would not be surprised if either made a serious run at the championship.
This week the Nationwide Series will unleash 750 horsepower on Auto Club Speedway. Kyle Busch is the overall favorite this week which is the case every week. However, it is hard to bet against Kyle when he visits Fontana, California. Busch is the defending champion of the Treatmyclot.com 300 and has amassed 6 wins at Fontana in the Nationwide Series. Additionally Busch posted the fastest lap in the first practice session on Friday with a lap of 174.71mph. Busch has dominated the Nationwide Series like no other driver in history and all signs indicate he will be the man to beat again today.
So who are the guys that could spoil Kyle’s day? Well the most obvious choices would be remaining Sprint Cup veterans in today’s race in Joey Logano, Matt Kenseth, or Kevin Harvick. Harvick was solid in race trim on Friday but it may be worth noting that he has never visited victory lane at Auto Club Speedway in 17 Nationwide starts. Matt Kenseth on the other hand has 4 victories in 11 starts and Logano has 2 victories in 7 starts in Fontana with the most recent victory coming in 2012.
Outside of the Sprint Cup Veterans, both of the young guns in Dillon and Elliot were impressive in the 2nd practice. Dillon topped the charts with a blazing lap of 176.46mph and also had the best 10 lap average. Elliot was 2nd fastest in the final practice session and has put himself in contention the last few weeks. Both drivers are going to win races this year but the big question is how soon will it be? Take a look at our picks for today’s race as we try to have another winning week in the Nationwide Series and be sure to tune in for the racing action today on ESPN when the green flag drops at 5:18pm eastern.
NASCARWAGERS Picks to win Treatmyclot.com 300:
Kyle Busch +250 (1.5 units): We never like taking a driver at such low odds but it is hard to leave Busch off of your roster at Fontana with his track record and momentum. Additionally Busch odds are never great in the Nationwide but profit can still be made.
Joey Logano +400 (1 unit) Logano was strong in the 10 lap averages in practice and will be in the #22 car that was very impressive the last time out on a 1.5-2 mile racetrack at Las Vegas.
H2H Match-up Kevin Harvick (-125) over Matt Kenseth (1 unit)