NASCAR Charlotte 600 Predictions

After taking a break to run the All-Star Race last week, NASCAR’s “Race to the Chase” in back in gear with the running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. this Sunday, May 30^th starting at 5:45 P.M.

Last week Kurt Busch won the coveted $1,000,000 first prize for winning the All-Star at Charlotte and will be looking to carry that momentum into this week as well. As usual, Jimmie Johnson is the favorite to win this week, but there are a few drivers that might have something to say about that. The following is a preview of the top seven drivers in the Sprint Cup point standings along with their current odds to win this week.

Kevin Harvick 15-1

Through 12 points races Harvick is currently in the lead with 1768 points. Two weeks ago he finished seventh at Dover and last week he finished sixth in the All-Star race. Last year in this race he started 22^nd and finished 41^st. His best finish was in 2001 when he started sixth and finished second, recording the only top 10 finish of his career in this race. In 18 career races at this track he has only finished in the top 10 three times.

Kyle Busch 7-1

After his win two weeks ago in Dover, Busch is now in second place with 1699 points, just 69 out of first. Last year in this race he started second and finished sixth. His best career effort in this race was in 2008 with a third place finish after starting on the poll. He has six top 10 finishes at this track including four in a row in his past four starts.

Matt Kenseth 20-1

With a third place finish at Dover, Kenseth is in third place with 1642 points, 126 out of the lead. Last year in this race he started 30^th and finished 10^th. He won this race back in 2000 after starting 21^st. He also finished second in 2002 and 2003 and third in 2004. All told he has ten top 10 finishes at this track and seven in this race.

Jimmie Johnson 4-1

Johnson has struggled the past few weeks and currently finds himself 131 points back, with 1637. Last year in this race he started fifth and finished 13^th. He won this race in 2003; starting 37^th, in 2004; starting on the poll, and in 2005; starting fifth. From 2003 to 2006 he won five times in his eight races at Charlotte. In his career, he has 13 top 10 finishes at this track.

Denny Hamlin 9-1

Hamlin finished fourth in his last two races; two weeks ago in Dover and a week ago in the All Star. He has 1618 points, 150 in back of Harvick. Last year in this race he started 13^th and finished 11^th. His best finish ever was ninth; in 2006 and in 2007. In his nine career starts at this track he has three top 10 finishes.

Jeff Gordon 9-1

Gordon is currently in sixth place in the standings with 1605 points, 163 out of the lead. Last year in this race he started third and finished 14^th. Back in the mid 90’s he won this race three times; 1994, 1997, and 1998. For his career at Charlotte, he has 18 top 10 finishes with five victories, with the last one coming in 2007. In this race he has nine top 10 finishes.

Greg Biffle 20-1

With a sixth place finish at Dover, Biffle maintained his seventh place position in the standings with 1581 points, 187 back. Last year in this race he started 16^th and finished 20^th. His best finish ever in this race was in 2008 when he finished second after starting fourth. For his career, he has five top 10 finishes at this track including three in this race.