Hamlin takes the pole
Denny Hamlin won the pole for Sunday’s Pepsi 500 on Friday, and will lead the pack at Auto Club Speedway.
Hamlin is starting up front, but Jimmie Johnson is still the pre-race favorite heading into Sunday.
Johnson is an 11/4 favorite to win the race according to oddsmakers at the online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com. Other short odds to win are Greg Biffle (6/1), Jeff Gordon (7/1), Mark Martin (7/1), and Hamlin (7/1).
Johnson is 18 points behind Martin for the first place in the Sprint Cup standings. Johnson has finished in the top 10 in the last three races, including a win two weeks ago. Johns qualified fourth for Sunday’s race.
Biffle will start third on Sunday and is eighth in the points standings. Biffle has finished in the top 10 in four of his last six races.
Gordon is seventh in the standings, 103 points behind Martin. Gordon has finished in the top 10 four of the last five races. Gordon will start 11th on Sunday.
Martin will start sixth on Sunday and he leads the standings and has won five times in 2009. Martin has finished in the top 10 in his last six races.
Hamlin sits sixth in the standings and has two wins on the year. Hamlin has finished in the top 10 in eight of his last nine races.
The Pepsi 500 will take place Sunday, Oct. 11 from Auto Club Speedway at 2:30PM ET. For complete odds and track information on this year’s event, see below.
Odds to win the Pepsi 500 – 2009 Pepsi 500 – Auto Club
Jimmie Johnson 11/4
Greg Biffle 6/1
Jeff Gordon 7/1
Mark Martin 7/1
Denny Hamlin 7/1
Juan Montoya 10/1
Carl Edwards 12/1
Tony Stewart 12/1
Kyle Busch 20/1
Matt Kenseth 20/1
Kasey Kahne 25/1
Kurt Busch 26/1
Brian Vickers 30/1
Clint Bowyer 30/1
Kevin Harvick 30/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 35/1
Ryan Newman 60/1
Field 16/1
2009 Price Pepsi 500 Information
Race Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Location: Auto Club
Pre-Race: 2:30PM ET
Green Flag: Approx. 3:31PM ET
TV Coverage: ABC
Radio Coverage: MRN
Track Type: Oval (250 laps)
Posted: 10/9/09 11:40PM ET