Harvick Points Leader Heading In To Dover

Richard Childress Racing has been a sports betting bystander to the domination of Hendrick Motorsports over the past four years, but with the break out of one of its own, RCR is believing they have a chance to end the domination of the 48-car in the Sprint Cup Series standings. Of the five drivers currently atop the standings, two belong to Hendrick, while the other three include representatives from RCR, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Roush Fenway Racing. The name atop the leader board however is Kevin Harvick, who holds a 110 point-lead over Jimmie Johnson for first place after four straight top-ten finishes. What may be even more impressive than Harvick’s ability to finish, is the way in which the number-29 car has gotten to the front, including this past weekend at Darlington.

The Shell/Penzoil sponsored car started Saturday’s race in the 35 position, but somehow managed to race his way all the way to a sixth place finish to extend his points lead after Johnson finished 36^th.

The points may prove crucial in the NASCAR betting standings after this weekend’s race at Dover, where Johnson has been absolutely dominant in the past. The 48-car took both races at “The Monster Mile” a year ago along with crew chief Chad Knaus, and will be looking to get back on track following three straight disappointing results. Although the four-time defending SCS champion did manage to finish tenth at Richmond two weeks ago, that result is sandwiched by two finishes outside of the top-30 at Talladega and Darlington, and suddenly the driver who won three of the first five races to open the season, has not driven to Victory Lane in six straight starts. Perhaps coincidentally, his recent struggled have coincided with NASCAR’s move to go back to the spoiler after operating with the rear wing to open the year, with his last win coming at Bristol, when the rear wing was still being used.

For as much frustration as Johnson has felt in recent weeks, teammate Jeff Gordon may be feeling more heading in to Dover. Still without a win in 2010, the DuPont-sponsored Gordon has finished in the top-five in each of the last two races, and five times this season, but along with crew chief Steve Letarte has yet to be able to find a way to capture the checkered flag. Gordon finished third in the standings a year ago, is currently fourth, and there may not be another driver in the series that wants to overtake Johnson at the NASCAR Dover betting race this season than the 24-car.

If Gordon is going to close on Johnson however, he must first pass Kyle Busch in the points standings, as after an incredible five straight top-five finishes, the younger Busch brother holds down the third spot in the standings. Not far behind Busch and Gordon is RCR member Matt Kenseth, who despite also not having a win to his name in 2010 has finished in the top-ten six times already, including three top-fives ahead of the World Cup groups.