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Sportsbook.ag NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Betting Preview
Federated Auto Parts 400
Richmond International Speedway, Richmond, VA
With only one race remaining until the Chase for the Sprint Cup Challenger Round begins, the drivers head to Richmond for the Federated Auto Parts 400.
Richmond International Speedway opened in 1946 and features a .75-mile asphalt track. The D-shaped track has banking that runs 14 degrees on the turns, eight degrees on the frontstretch and two degrees on the backstretch. A few drivers that will be participating on Saturday have won this race multiple times, and that list includes Jimmie Johnson (2007, 2008), Denny Hamlin (2009, 2010) and Kevin Harvick (2006, 2011). For Hamlin it’s worth nothing that he may feel some discomfort on Saturday, as he suffered a torn ACL over the week and will be driving through it for the first time in this event.
The winner of this race in 2014 was Brad Keselowski and it was the second consecutive victory by a driver who races with a Ford manufactured car. Carl Edwards’ victory in 2013 took only two hours, 51 minutes and 23 seconds. It was the fastest anybody has finished this race since Dale Jarrett’s victory in 1997. Let’s now take a look at who could be coming away with a win this weekend:
Kevin Harvick (+450) - Harvick is the favorite to win the Federated Auto Parts 400, and it’s for good reason. Harvick has won this event twice in the past 10 years and his past two trips to Richmond have been very successful. He earned a fifth place finish at this track back on Sep. 6, 2014 and a second place finish on Apr. 26. Harvick’s excellent driving isn’t just limited to Virginia, though. He has racked up eight top-10 finishes in his past 10 Sprint Cup races and earned two victories early in the season. He’s a very good pick to win this event on Saturday.
Jimmie Johnson (+1500)- Johnson is coming off of a disappointing race at Darlington, failing to crack the top-15 for the second time in his past two races. He is, however, receiving great odds in this race and is being a little disrespected coming into the event. Johnson has won this race twice in his career and has still finished in the top-10 of three of the past five races this season. He may not be dominating the way he used to, but he’s one of the best drivers in the Sprint Cup Series and is worth a play at the incredible value he’s getting on Saturday.
Kyle Larson (+3000) - Larson finished 10th at the Bojangles’ Southern 500 this past week and has been in excellent form lately, finishing in the top-15 in five of the past six races. He has two top-10 finishes in that span as well. Larson has never won a Sprint Cup Series race, but he’s closing in on that first victory and it’s only a matter of time before he breaks through. Being ahead of the curve and placing a unit or two on him would be a wise decision with these odds.
Ryan Newman (+4000) - Newman has been racing extremely well this season and has finished in the top-10 at two of the past three races while also piling up six top-15s in the past seven races. The “Rocket Man” is one of the most consistent drivers around and will be racing on what is likely his favorite track Saturday evening. Newman has eight straight top-15s at Richmond International and is getting way too good of odds for a guy that has owned this course in the past. He’s a name to keep an eye on and is certainly worth a unit or two this coming weekend.
David Ragan (+20000) - Ragan has not been at his best recently, getting wrecked in back-to-back races and unfortunately finishing 40th because of that. He is, however, going to be racing for his season on Saturday and crazier things have happened. He is a very solid driver and has finished in the top-15 at two races this season. If you’re looking for a darkhorse pick that is completely under the radar then Ragan is your guy.
