Fans, get used to it. Jimmie Johnson is expected to complete the four-peat, four consecutive championships. At least that is what the odds-makers are saying. Is it really a surprise that a driver who has won twenty-two races in the last three years is expected to win the championship? When does it stop, right? Eventually, his championship run has to end. Realistically, we all know that, including the odds makers. However, with that said, the odds makers must formulate their odds based on probability, and all they have to go by is what has taken place. Jimmie Johnson has dominated the Sprint Cup Series over the past three years, so naturally, he is the favorite to capture the championship, and a smart bettor would shy away from betting against the three-time defending champion. Initially, Jimmie Johnson has 4-1 odds to win the 2009 Sprint Cup championship. Nine-time race winner in 2008, Carl Edwards, has 9-2 odds to win his first Sprint Cup title. Edwards will likely emerge as the trendy pick when the early preview guides are released in January. Kyle Busch, who tallied eight total victories in 2008, has 5-1 odds to win his first Sprint Cup championship. Busch dominated the first 26 races of the 2008 season, only to crumple in the final ten. Nevertheless, if Busch is as stout as he was for most of 2008, do not anticipate another late-season collapse. Greg Biffle was the surprise championship contender in 2008; however, he will no longer sneak up on anyone in 2009. Experts predict another solid season for Biffle, who is listed as 10-1 odds to win his first championship. Biffle has emerged as a veteran leader in Sprint Cup, and is getting better with age. NASCAR’s favorite son, Dale Earnhardt Jr, is listed at 12-1 odds. Earnhardt Jr’s odds have plunged since last year, following a perceived disappointing season. However, Earnhardt, Jr. was solid for most of the season. Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin are listed as 13-1 odds. Gordon and Hamlin produced one victory between them, and it was not Gordon that enjoyed the victory lane celebration. Mark Martin, now a member of the Hendrick Motorsports cronies, is listed as 18-1 odds, along with his former protg Matt Kenseth, who is the 2003 champion. Kenseth failed to win a race in 2008, his first winless season since 2001, which was also the last time he finished outside the top ten in the championship standings. Richard Childress Racing teammates Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick are listed as 20-1 odds and 22-1 odds respectively. Burton is still searching for championship number uno, as is Harvick; however, Harvick would be happy just to rekindle his once close relationship with victory lane. Listed at 30-1 odds are Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, and David Ragan. Stewart is in the midst of a new endeavor as he will run his own Chevrolet operation. Obviously, his championship odds are significantly lower than they were while he was with Joe Gibbs Racing. Bowyer will begin the 2009 season with a brand new team, still in the Richard Childress Racing organization. Kurt Busch hopes to rebound from perhaps the worst season of his career. Ragan is the up and comer of the group. Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray are listed as 40-1 odds. Kahne won twice in 2008, but stammered in the latter half of the season. McMurray was only getting started as the season ended. Rookie Joey Logano is also listed at 40-1 odds. However, this is a bit of an overrate. Logano struggled mightily in 2008 in his handful of starts. You mean to tell me that he has a better shot at the championship than Ryan Newman, Martin Truex Jr, or even Juan Pablo Montoya? Obviously, the odds are subject to change as the 2009 season approaches, but this is just a taste of what to expect in the looming season.
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