The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series shifts from Virginia to Texas for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 this week. Everything is bigger in Texas. That will certainly be true this week with the best in the world competing on the repaved and reconfigured track at the Texas Motor Speedway. Usually win NASCAR repaves a track they run a test to match the tire compound in order to reduce tire wear during the race. However, that didn’t happen this week and that could mean a wild ride in Fort Worth. Here is a look at what to expect at the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 this week.
Event Details
Event: O’Reilly Auto Parts 500
Category: NASCAR Spring Cup Series
Date: April 9, 2017
Location: Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Werth, Texas
Last Race Recap
Brad Keselowski stole the show when he won last week’s race at Martinsville. It marked Keselowski’s first win at that track and another disappointing finish for Kyle Busch. Busch’s luck has been one of the biggest stories in NASCAR early on this season. He led a race-high 274 laps last week but was passed by Keselowski with 44 laps to go and couldn’t fight his way back in to first place. With another runner-up finish, Busch has placed in the top-10 in four of his eight starts but is still looking for his first win of the season heading in to the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. Chase Elliott finished third last week followed by Joey Logano in fourth and Austin Dillon in fifth.
Past Five Winners
2016: Kyle Busch
2015: Jimmie Johnson
2014: Joey Logano
2013: Kyle Busch
2012: Greg Biffle
What To Know About The Track
The repaved and reconfigured track at Texas Motor Speedway will require some adjustments from the drivers. Turns 1 and 2 were widened and the banking was reduced from 24 degrees to 20 degrees. As a result, the new surface and less down force should produce some fast racing this weekend. Experience will still count for something this week but the top drivers have to be willing to make the necessary adjustments.
The Field
Kevin Harvick will be the favorite to win this week’s race at +500 odds. However, considering he has never won this race and is coming off a 20th place finish in last week’s race at Martinsville it might be smart to pass on him. Meanwhile, Busch is a two-time winner at this track and is listed right behind Harvick at +700 odds. Jimmie Johnson, who won this race in 2015, is also listed at +700 odds to win at Texas. Keselowski, Logano and Martin Truex Jr. round out the top options on the board according to the sports betting odds for this week’s race.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Chase Elliott over Martin Truex Jr.
Elliott will be the underdog in this head-to-head betting matchup. However, considering his recent form and past success at Texas Motor Speedway, he should probably be the favorite. Elliott is coming off a third place finish last week and he hasn’t finished lower than 12th in any of his last five starts. Meanwhile, he placed in the top-five in both Cup races at Texas last year. Elliott won the 2014 O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 in the Xfinity Series so he certainly knows what it will take this week. Considering his current form and overall success at this track, it makes sense to take Elliott over Truex this week.
Top-Five Pick: Kyle Busch
Busch has been extremely unlucky so far this NASCAR season. Perhaps this is the week when he finally breaks through. Busch is the defending champ this week after winning this race in 2016 and he also won it in 2013. After finishing no worse than eighth in each of his last three starts, this could very well be the week that Busch breaks through and records his first win of the season. He has been excellent at Texas Motor Speedway. We won’t be surprised when Busch wins the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 outright.
Odds To Win O’Reilly Auto Parts 500
Jimmie Johnson +600
Kevin Harvick +600
Kyle Busch +700
Joey Logano +800
Brad Keselowski +800
Martin Truex Jr +1000
Kyle Larson +1000
Chase Elliott +1000
Dale Earnhardt Jr +1200
Matt Kenseth +1200
Denny Hamlin +1200
Kurt Busch +1800
Kasey Kahne +2000
Clint Bowyer +2000
Ryan Blaney +3000
Erik Jones +3500
Jamie McMurray +3500
Daniel Suarez +4000
Ryan Newman +5000
Austin Dillon +5000
Field +2500
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