Aaron’s 312 Race Picks
NASCAR Nationwide Series Betting Preview
Date and Time: Saturday May 3rd, 2014. 3:25PM Eastern
Where: Talladega Superspeedway
TV: ESPN
By: NASCAR Wagers, NASCAR Handicapping Service
Later this afternoon, the Nationwide Series will get the racing weekend started with the running of the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway. Sam Hornish Jr earned his 6th career Nationwide Series pole and will lead the field to the green flag at approximately 3:25pm eastern. Hornish will also be making his 100th career start in the Nationwide Series today and is hopeful he can earn his first Nationwide Series restrictor plate victory.
From the handicapping perspective, this afternoon’s race for the Aaron’s 312 is nearly wide open. Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson are the only Sprint Cup Series regulars entered in the event which is rather odd for a Nationwide Series restrictor plate event. Furthermore, neither Larson nor Kahne are particularly known for their restrictor plate skills. The Nationwide Series is normally overrun by Sprint Cup drivers but today’s absence of Cup regulars will definitely level the playing field.
At these restrictor plate races, you can never take practice speeds or starting positions into consideration for picking winners. Both are merely irrelevant once cars get into a lead pack draft at 2 and 3 wide throughout the field. Therefore, our picks are based off experience and drivers with proven resumes at these restrictor plate races. We have identified a few drivers that we believe have a lot of value this week in our picks below. However due to rather poor odds for today’s event across all sportsbooks, we have chosen to risk minimal units with the hopes of still hitting a nice profit.
NASCAR Wagers Aaron’s 312 Race Picks
Regan Smith +750 (1 unit): Smith has won the last two Nationwide Series restrictor plate races going back to last year’s Talladega race and earlier this season at Daytona. Likely the best restrictor plate driver in the field.
David Ragan +1900 (.5 unit): Ragan shocked the Sprint Cup Series with a big win at Talladega last year and is one of the better restrictor plate racers in the field. His only other start before today at Talladega in the Nationwide Series resulted in a win. Here is a chance at 2 for 2.
Trevor Bayne +950 (.5 unit): Bayne has not had much luck in restrictor plate races in the Nationwide Series but he is due. A solid superspeedway driver with some value, we will take a chance with him today.