This Week in Auto Racing March 5 - 7

Autoracing Betting Lines

03/02/2010 - Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - NASCAR returns to the East Coast, as the Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series tackle one of the fastest tracks on the circuit.

NASCAR

Sprint Cup Series

Kobalt Tools 500 - Atlanta Motor Speedway - Hampton, GA

Since his disappointing 35th-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500, Jimmie Johnson has soared to fifth in the points standings with consecutive victories at California and Las Vegas.

Johnson's win at California came with a little bit of luck. The four-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion benefited from a late-race caution when he pitted just before the yellow flag was displayed. He then held off a hard- charging Kevin Harvick in the closing laps.

Last Sunday, Johnson spoiled Jeff Gordon's dominate day at Las Vegas. Gordon led a track-record 219 laps, but he took two new tires only during his final pit stop. After putting on four tires, Johnson chased down his Hendrick Motorsports teammate and then made the winning pass with 17 laps to go.

It's early in the season, but Johnson's "drive for five" straight titles appears to be in full gear.

"We're excited," Johnson said. "It's early in the year, and it's a relief to know that we worked in the right areas over the off-season. Richmond [fall race] is a long way away from right now. We need to keep collecting points, winning races, make the Chase and then get to work for what we're really here for."

If Johnson wins this weekend at Atlanta, it will be his 50th career victory, which will place him in a tie with Ned Jarrett and 2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Junior Johnson for 10th on the series' all-time race winners list.

Johnson has three victories at Atlanta, including a season sweep at the fast 1.54-mile track in 2007.

Heading into Atlanta, Harvick holds a 47-point lead over his Richard Childress Racing teammate Clint Bowyer. The resurgence of RCR continued at Las Vegas, with Harvick, Bowyer and Jeff Gordon turning in impressive performances once again. All three drivers have finished no worse than 11th in the first three races.

Atlanta has been one Harvick's best tracks. Despite a 19th-place result in points last season, Harvick finished fourth at Atlanta one year ago and then followed up with a second-place run there last September.

"We are really looking forward to Atlanta based upon how we ran there last time," Harvick said. "It has become one of those tracks that has been really good for us in anything that we have been racing there over the past three or four years."

Harvick's first Cup victory came at Atlanta on March 11, 2001, just weeks after RCR named him as replacement driver for Dale Earnhardt following Earnhardt's fatal crash in the Daytona 500. Harvick edged Gordon by 0.006 seconds at Atlanta for his maiden win in just his third start.

"I don't remember really anything from that day," Harvick said. "There were just so many different emotions and things that ran through my head that it was just kind of more of a strange moment than it was anything."

Ryan Newman will celebrate a career milestone at Atlanta, as the Stewart-Haas Racing driver is expected to make his 300th career start in NASCAR's top division. Newman is tied with Buddy Baker for most poles at Atlanta with seven. He won six consecutive poles there from March 2003 to October 2005.

"Atlanta has always been a place where I like to qualify, and it would be an honor to get the all-time pole record there," Newman said.

Newman has struggled in the early season, finishing 34th (Daytona), 36th (California) and 18th (Las Vegas). He currently is 32nd in points.

Forty-six teams are on the preliminary entry list for the Kobalt Tools 500.

Camping World Truck Series

Atlanta 200 - Atlanta Motor Speedway - Hampton, GA

After a two-week break, the Camping World Truck Series returns to action at Atlanta.

The series kicked off their season on February 12 at Daytona, with Timothy Peters winning the 250-mile race in thrilling fashion. Todd Bodine held the lead on the final lap, but Peters shoved Bodine up the track to claim the top spot. He went on to score his second career victory in the series.

"It's a very cool feeling being the points leader of the series, but Atlanta changes the game," Peters said. "It's a privilege to be in this position, but we also know it's our job to stay up there the entire season."

Peters has finished no better than 15th in his first three starts at Atlanta.

Kyle Busch is the defending Atlanta race winner. Busch, who is in his first year as driver and owner of a truck team, has four wins at Atlanta. If he takes the checkered flag for Saturday's event, he will join Bodine as the only drivers to score five series victories at the same track. Bodine has five wins at Texas.

"It's a track I really like," Busch said. "It's fast and the truck races are always really good. Obviously, getting a win there would be really huge, because it would be the first for Kyle Busch Motorsports."

Busch and Kevin Harvick are the only Sprint Cup Series regulars on the entry list for the Atlanta truck race. Nationwide Series veteran Steve Wallace is entered as well. Wallace will make his truck debut, driving the No.15 Toyota for Billy Ballew Motorsports.

For the first time since in nearly six years, Geoff Bodine will compete in a truck race. Bodine will drive the No.95 Dodge for Danny Gill Racing. His last start came in July 2004 at Kentucky.

Bodine has spent the past several weeks at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, overseeing the fortunes of his Bo-Dyn Bobsleds that carried the United States' four-man bobsled team to its first gold medal in the 62-year history of the event.

Thirty-nine teams are on the preliminary entry list for the Atlanta 200.

Multisportplay Autoracing Betting News

<< Schalke signs teenage midfielder Matip
Gelsenkirchen, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Schalke signed teenage midfielder Joel Matip to a 3 1/2-year contract Tuesday. Matip, 18, made his Bundesliga debut in November and has played 12 matches. He has two goals. He could earn his first

<< Jags bring back WR Williamson
Jacksonville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms with wide receiver Troy Williamson on a contract Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Williamson, who was acquired by Jacksonville from Minnesota

<< Ellis, Biedrins expected to miss Warriors' five-game road trip
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Golden State Warriors will likely be without guard Monta Ellis and center Andris Biedrins for the duration of the club's five-game road trip beginning Tuesday in Miami. Neither traveled with the

<< Tottenham's Huddlestone suffers ligament damage
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tottenham has confirmed that a scan has shown that Tom Huddlestone suffered damage to the ligaments in his right ankle during Sunday's 2-1 victory against Everton. The former Derby County midfielder w

<< PSG bans fans from away matches
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - PSG will not make tickets available to its fans for road matches following a fight last weekend that left a supporter in critical condition, club President Robin Leproux said Tuesday. A 38-year-old PSG f

Flyers G Emery to have season-ending hip surgery >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Tuesday that goaltender Ray Emery will have season-ending surgery to repair damage to his right hip. The club had placed Emery, who has not skated since Febr

Oklahoma's Warren set for season-ending surgery >>
Norman, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oklahoma has announced sophomore guard Willie Warren will undergo season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle Wednesday. Warren originally injured the ankle January 21 in practice, then r

Zidane refuses to apologize to Materazzi >>
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former France, Juventus and Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane has refused an offer to apologize to Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi over the head-butt incident that marred the 2006 World Cup Final.

Portsmouth's future remains unclear >>
Portsmouth, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Portsmouth's future remains unclear as they have been told they must return to the High Court later this month after Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs challenged the club's decision to go into vo

Johnson on the right track heading to Atlanta >>
Hampton, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup. Date: Sunday, March 7. Race: Kobalt Tools 500. Site: Atlanta Motor Speedway. Track: 1.54-mile oval. Start time: 1:00 p.m. (et). Laps: 325. Miles: 500.5. 2009 winner: Kurt Busch. Televisi

Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

NFL Sports Betting

NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

NFL Betting

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.

2007 NFL Football Betting Preview


“You play to win the game!”

Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy.

The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line.

The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2.

Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway?

Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year.

New York Giants betting lines

Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years.

Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant.

Dallas Cowboys betting lines

Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success.

The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones.

Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings.

Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record.

Oakland Raiders betting lines

This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots.

First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!”

The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason. 

Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football wagering needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.