NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings & Betting Odds: July 28th 2009

NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson Wins a 4th Allstate at The Brickyard in Indianapolis
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Juan Pablo Montoya dominated the All State 400 at the Brickyard this past weekend, but speeding on pit-road is a no-no. So, when Montoya did it, he was penalized and had to start in the middle of the pack. Who picked up the pieces? Jimmie Johnson who left no doubt that he loves The Brickyard. Johnson leapfrogged his teammate, Jeff Gordon, in the Sprint Cup Power Ranking. Let’s take a look at the power rankings.

NASCAR: Sprint Cup Power Rankings with Odds

1. Tony Stewart +300 - – Smoke’s odds drifted from +250 to win the Sprint Cup last week to +300 this week because he only finished 3rd. Really? 3rd? That’s all. What’s wrong with you, Tony! Actually at 3 to 1, Stewart, because he’s been much more consistent than either Johnson or Gordon this year, is probably the best wager in the sportsbook to win the Cup.

2. Jimmie Johnson +200 – - Jimmie capitalized on Montoya’s mistake and held off the pole-sitter at Indy, and a fellow teammate, in Mark Martin. Jimmie loves The Brickyard. So, the victory isn’t a surprise. The odds in the sportsbook are because even though Jimmie will catch fire, the fellow above him in the power rankings has been hot all year.

3. Jeff Gordon +500 – - Gordon did get a top ten finish when crossing the finish line in 9th place at The Brickyard, but Jeff doesn’t seem to have it this year. It’s just a feeling at this point, but I do believe that he will break down as the year goes along. I just don’t think the back will hold up.

4. Kurt Busch +1500 – - Busch had a terrible Allstate 400 when finishing 27th, but he’s still ranked 4th in the Sprint Cup Power rankings because overall he’s have a decent 2009. His 2009 is definitely much better than younger brother Kyle’s who has dropped out of power rankings even though he has 3 victories on the year.

5. Carl Edwards +800 – - Edwards couldn’t put together a top ten finish but did manage to finish in the top 20 when crossing the finish line in 15th place. Edwards still hasn’t won a race this year, but he’s doing well enough to keep himself in the thick of the Sprint Cup Chase.

6. Denny Hamlin +1500 – - Even though Hamlin finished 34th at The Brickyard this past weekend, he’s turning out to be more consistent than fellow Joe Gibbs’ driver, Kyle Busch. How do I know this? He’s not only still on the power rankings, but he would make The Chase this year if it started tomorrow while Kyle would not.

7. Ryan Newman +1200 – - Newman’s 14th place finish at Indianapolis was good enough to keep him on the rankings and within earshot of the Sprint Cup Championship. He’s yet another driver that keeps hanging around and outperforming his odds.

8. Kasey Kahne +1500 – - Nobody has been as hot as Kasey lately. He put together another top 10 finish when crossing the line in 7th place this past Sunday. Nobody’s bringing up the fact that Kahne is doing this in the #9 car, the one that Jr. used to drive. Maybe, Jr. just isn’t the driver his fans have made him out to be.

9. Mark Martin +400 – - The Allstate 400 pole-sitter finished 2nd to Johnson after Juan Pablo got too excited on pit-road. I like Martin and he has been more consistent this month than earlier in 2009, but the odds are just too low for me. I’d rather go with Tony at +300.

10. Juan Pablo Montoya +3500 – - I feel bad for Juan Pablo. He dominated The Brickyard this past Sunday, just dominated, but he got too excited on pit-road and got dinged for it. NASCAR was totally justified in doing what they did. Juan Pablo needs to get past that because he’d riving fantastic right now, his crew is making the right decisions, and he has a shot as a huge long shot to win the Sprint Cup. Yes, he actually does.

11. Greg Biffle +1800 – - Biffle climbs back into the Chase and the power rankings by finishing 4th at The Brickyard. He’s doing what he should for Roush Racing, just hanging around and making the Chase. Then, hopefully, he’ll be able to turn it on. He needs to climb higher than 11th to secure a spot in the Chase.

12. Matt Kenseth +2500 – - Kenseth finally got back into the top 10 in a race and back into the Sprint Cup Power Rankings by finishing 10th. Okay, he’s not safe just yet, but maybe the Daytona 500 winner keeps the good times going and finishes in the top 10 again this week at Pocono.