Busch brothers can star in Nascar Phoenix race
JIMMIE JOHNSON'S disastrous early smash in last week's race breathed an element of new life into the Nascar Sprint Cup race but bookmakers expect normal service to be resumed in Sunday's Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix.
Kyle Busch will be out to avenge last week's defeat by brother Kurt
PICTURE: GETTY IMAGESJohnson is just 12-5 with Bet365 to convert third place on the grid into victory after he topped the practice times in yesterday's final practice - the planned second practice was washed out.
Johnson won both races at the track in 2008 and was fourth in thespring race - the Subway Fresh Fit 500 - so his case in obvious.
Anything can happen in Nascar races, though, as last week proved and those who prefer slightly better prices could do worse than supporting the Busch brothers, Kyle and Kurt.
Younger brother Kyle Busch was third fastest in forst practice and is seventh on the grid.He ran strongly in last week's race and his track form is better than it first looks - he was in the top ten in both last year's races and was running second late in the April event when penalised for speeding in the pit-lane and ending up 17th.
Kurt Busch, winner in Texas last week, just gets the nod over the ultra-consistent Denny Hamlin of the other main contenders. He lines up alongside Martin Truex on the front row, was fifth in final practice and placed second and third in the last two Phoenix races.
Pole-sitter Truex shouldn't be dismissed out of hand at 20-1 given that he was also fourth-quickest in final practice and was seventh having started 26th at the track in April.
Dale Earnhardt junior was in the mix for a long time last week and merits consideration after taking third in final practice after being sixth in this race last year.
Two outsiders to follow are Marcos Ambrose and Sam Hornish jr. AussieAmbrose looked a genuine threat to get in the money last week, but his status as a regular-contender for top-ten finishes is still not reflected by his regular race odds. At 80-1 and bigger he's worth keeping an eye on.
Hornish crashes more than your average Nascar driver but Phoenix seems to suit him. The 150-1 shot was fastest in first practice, is 12th on the grid and drove a great race at this track in April to finish ninth having started way back in 35th.
Recommendations
Kyle Busch
1pt e-w 10-1 Bet365
Kurt Busch
1pt e-w 8-1 Bet365
Marcos Ambrose
o.5pt e-w 80-1 Bet365
Sam Hornish jr
0.5pt e-w 150-1 Bet365
