The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series heads back west to Sonoma, California for the Toyota Save/Mart 350 this Sunday. The first road course race of the season is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, June 23rd at 3:00 p.m. EST. The contest can also be seen on FOX Sports 1 for your afternoon racing entertainment. In a race that features right-hand turns as well as left, 10 different competitors have won the last ten events at this venue. Last season, Stewart/Haas standout Kevin Harvick sped on to victory after leading 24 of the 110 laps turned.
Kyle Larson
Chip Ganassi Racing stud Kyle Larson will start his #42 Chevrolet out in front. The youngster captured the pole position with his qualifying efforts on Saturday. His teammate Jamie McMurray will also start towards the front, qualifying his Chevy directly behind him in fourth. Obviously, the teams are sharing information and have their hot-rods dialed in. Larson’s qualifying effort also landed him out in front for last year’s race in the California mountains. Unfortunately, he finished in 26th after leading the first nine circuits of the day. Nevertheless, Las Vegas has the phenom as a tasty 25/1 favorite to capture his first road course win of his career. Personally, I also think it’s the best bet on the board.
Martin Truex Jr.
Furniture Row Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. won this race in 2013. In fact, he claimed victory while behind the wheel with Michael Waltrip Racing. In 2016, he finished fifth and last year he also led a race-high 25 laps. Still, the defending NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series champion ran into engine problems and finished towards the rear. He also has started third in the last two Toyota Save/Mart 350. Truex Jr. has found himself in victory lane twice this season and qualified in the runner-up position. Oddsmakers also like his chances to win his third race of 2018 as a 9/2 favorite on Sunday.
Kevin Harvick
Look, I understand that I include Kevin Harvick in almost all of my articles this season. Let’s face it, I’m here to help give insight on who I think will win and he has won a season-high five contests this year. Not only that but he won here last June and is starting the 30th Annual Toyota Save/Mart 350 in sixth. Plus, all three of his teammates have shown considerable speed during the two practice rounds and in qualifying. Clint Bowyer led the first session and Kurt Busch also led the second. Line-setters also have confidence in the freaky fast driver, placing him also at 9/2 to win his second race at Sonoma in a row.
A.J. Allmendinger
Normally, I would be putting Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch in this spot. The four-time 2018 winner has won the Toyota Save/Mart 350 twice. Nevertheless, I’m putting road race specialist A.J. Allmendinger in this report. The JTG Daughtery Racing stud has never won the Toyota Save/Mart 350. Still, he has won the other road course at Watkins Glen. He accomplished that feat in 2014. He practiced well and also won the first session of qualifying. If not for a speedy entry into turn 11 he very very well could be on the pole. Furthermore, the botched run still landed the speedster in fifth for the start of the race. I like his chances and I also like the 12/1 odds that Sin City is doling out for his win.
Odds to win the 2018 Toyota Save/Mart 350
Kevin Harvick 9/2
Kyle Busch 9/2
Martin Truex Jr. 9/2
Clint Bowyer 15/2
Kurt Busch 8/1
Denny Hamlin 10/1
Joey Logano 10/1
AJ Allmendinger 12/1
Brad Keselowski 22/1
Jimmie Johnson 22/1
Ryan Blaney 22/1
Kyle Larson 25/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 25/1
Chase Elliott 30/1
Jamie McMurray 30/1
Paul Menard 60/1
Aric Almirola 75/1
Daniel Suarez 75/1
Kasey Kahne 75/1
Michael McDowell 75/1
Ryan Newman 75/1
Chris Buescher 100/1
Eric Jones 100/1
Odds to win the 2018 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series Championship
Kevin Harvick 9/2
Kyle Busch 9/2
Martin Truex Jr. 9/2
Clint Bowyer 15/2
Kurt Busch 8/1
Denny Hamlin 10/1
Joey Logano 10/1
AJ Allmendinger 12/1
Brad Keselowski 22/1
Jimmie Johnson 22/1
Ryan Blaney 22/1
Kyle Larson 25/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 25/1
Chase Elliott 30/1
Jamie McMurray 30/1
Paul Menard 60/1
Aric Almirola 75/1
Daniel Suarez 75/1
Kasey Kahne 75/1
Michael McDowell 75/1
Ryan Newman 75/1
Chris Buescher 100/1
Erik Jones 100/1
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