The Best Online NASCAR Betting Picks to Finish in the Top 3 at the Irwin Tools Night Race

Sometimes the best online NASCAR betting pick to win a race isn’t always the best pick to finish in the Top 3 in a race.

Like in any sports gambling venture, finding value is the most important way to make profits.  NASCAR is no different.  Betting on a driver going off at +500 to win a race isn’t the same as betting on a driver at +120 to just finish in the Top 3.

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Let’s take a look at my best bets to finish in the Top 3 at Saturday night’s Irwin Tools Night Race.

NASCAR:  Irwin Tools Night Race

Where:  Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN

When:  August 21st, 2010 at 7:00 pm EST

Track:  Oval, .533 miles

TV:  ABC

Top 3

Best Bet:  Denny Hamlin +500

Denny has never won at Bristol, but he has finished 6th or better at Bristol in 4 out of the last 5 races.  2 of the 5 races were a 3rd place and a 2nd place finish.  That’s pretty good.  Considering that Mr. Hamlin is going off at +500, roughly the online NASCAR betting odds of Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson to win the race, making him the top pick to finish in the Top 3 is easy.
 
Second Best Bet:  Kevin Harvick +300

Sure, K.H. hasn’t been great at Bristol lately, his best finish in the past 3 races was an 11th earlier this year, but he’s driving as well, actually better, than anyone else on the Sprint Cup Circuit.  Kevin finished 2nd and 4th at Bristol in 2008.  He’s coming off of a victory at Michigan.  The man has a shot to get into the Top 3 on Saturday night.

Best Underdog Wager:  Clint Bowyer +600

Bowyer’s Bristol form isn’t awesome or anything, he only has two Top 5 finishes in his career and he averages an 18th finish, but at the odds, it’s tough to look past Clint because he often times qualifies very well for the second race at Bristol.  One of these nights the great qualifying round is going to lead to flowing beer in the winner’s circle.  I’m not hoping for that on Saturday night, although it would be cool if Clint won.  I’m just hoping for a Top 3 finish.

 
Others to Consider

Jeff Gordon +350 – - He hasn’t finished in the Top 3 since 2007 but he’s motivated for this race on Saturday night.  That could help him get that elusive victory and not just a Top 3 finish.

Jimmie Johnson +180 – - A 3rd and 8th place finish in 2009 and a victory earlier in 2010 means that JJ should be raring to go on Saturday night.

Kyle Busch +175 – - He’s the favorite in this betting category because out of the last 5 races at Bristol, Kyle’s chalked up two 1st place and one 2nd place finish.

Tony Stewart +300 – - He finished 2nd to JJ earlier this year and is driving better now than he was then.  Smoke’s not a bad online NASCAR betting pick at the odds.  

Source:  nascar.com