NHL trade deadline blog traffic will likely be up this weekend as the deadline is approaching, but NASCAR fans are also hitting the internet so they can star researching for the upcoming season and the Budweiser Shootout kicks things off on Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway. The Shootout is the first event of Speedweeks, and it’s the first chance for a lot of drivers to see what they’ve got before the big 500-mile race in a couple weeks.
Kevin Harvick (+1000): 5Dimes players should know that Harvick is one of the best plate-track racers in NASCAR, and he has four wins at Daytona; Shootout wins in 2009 and 2010, the 2007 Daytona 500 and one in the 2010 400-miler.Harvick also found out that he will be a father for the first time, and the winner’s purse is definitely motivation for a driver that barely needs a reason to do whatever it takes to win anyway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (+1000): The No.88 driver won the Shootout in 2003 and 2008, the 500-mile race in 2004 and the summer race in 2001, the first time that NASCAR went to Daytona after the death of his legendary father. Good players that are familiar with pay head systems know that Earnhardt is always going to be a betting favorite at Daytona as he remains an excellent plate-track driver.
Jimmie Johnson (+1200): The five-time champion comes into this season refreshed and without a burden of defending his title for the first time since 2005, which was also when he won his only Shootout. The No.48 driver also won the Daytona 500 in 2006 and he is a solid plate driver as well, but we all know Johnson is a threat on any track.
Matt Kenseth (+2000): Kenseth may not jump out at bettors that use price per head bookie services, and his win at the 2009 Daytona 500 was shortened by rain, but the No.17 driver only has finished in the top 10 three times in five starts at the Shootout. If he can stay out of wrecks, Kenseth definitely has what it takes to get to the front.
A.J. Allmendinger (+2500): Allmendinger is now driving the No.22 Dodge at Penske Racing after Kurt Busch was let go in the offseason, and last year he finished ninth in the 2009 Shootout. Allmendinger, who piloted the No.43 last year, came in 11th in the 2011 Daytona 500 and then 10th in the summer 400-miler, and the Penske team has a good plate-track program, so he has the equipment underneath him, along with a great teammate in Brad Keselowski. If you’re looking for some value, Allmendinger will be an interesting pick at betting websites.
