Kevin Harvick is the hottest name in motor racing betting. On fire with three consecutive wins he leads the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup standings. Kyle Busch has been almost as hot with back to back second place finishes. Also busting out of the gate in good form has been Martin Truex Jr. Currently in third place he has three straight top five finishes. On the other end of the spectrum is Kasey Kahne. With a best finish of 19th in four runs it has been a disappointing beginning. Everyone gets a new shot on Sunday with the Auto Club 400.
Auto Club 400
Date and Time: Sunday, March 18, 2018, 3:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, California
NASCAR Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click here!
Auto Club 400 TV Coverage: FOX
Auto Club Speedway to host Event
Fontana, California’s Auto Club Speedway is host of this week’s race. Opened in 1997 it has a seating capacity of 122,000. Most relevant is a track that is among the fastest in motor racing betting. Asphalt is the surface of the D-shaped oval. With a distance of two miles the turn banks are 14 degrees with a front stretch of 11 degrees. Kyle Larson was the Auto Club 400 winner last year. Jimmie Johnson was the winner in 2016. He is tied with the most career wins at the Auto Club 400 with three.
Jimmie Johnson
Speaking of Johnson his horrible start to the season has been startling. The six-time NASCAR champion is stuck in the muck of 26th place in the standings. He is yet to crack the top ten with a best finish of 12th place. Denny Hamlin has been far more successful. Three of his four starts this season have been fourth place or better. Joey Logano has also impressed with three finishes if seventh or higher.
Despite stumbling out of the gate Johnson could get relief in his native California. Auto Club speedway has been one of his favorite and best tracks. In 23 starts at the Auto Club Speedway he has taken the checkers six times. Overall Johnson also has 13 top fives, 16 top tens and an average finish of 7.13.
Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch would already be an online sportsbook favorite for his great start to the season. Adding to the chalk status is his record at the Auto Club Speedway. Busch has posted three wins in 19 starts there with eight top ten finishes. Often overlooked in the shadow of Johnson he was the 2015 Cup champion. One of the most consistent drivers in the sport he has finished in the top ten of the standings five straight year.
Kurt Busch
Seems like the other Busch brother, Kurt, also merits a look. Currently 11th in the standings he was the 2004 Cup winner. Kurt Busch is 11th in the standings and coming off a respectable tenth place finish last week. Most relevant is in 24 starts he has one win and 12 top fives with an average finish of 12.79.
Matchup to Watch
Henrick Motorsports is ready for Johnson to bust out with a big win on his favored track. If ever there was a week to back Johnson with a motor racing betting bet this would be it. Kurt Busch would rate as the liveliest dog.
Auto Club 400 NASCAR Betting Online Picks
As usual Johnson will be the favorite. Just as probable is a win at the Auto Club Speedway. “California Here I Come” is Johnson’s tune this week!
Auto Club 400 NASCAR Betting Online Pick: Jimmie Johnson