BEST BET IS DON’T BET
It’s bad enough I play too much video poker, but at least I don’t visit sports books.
If I did, I wouldn’t bet on racing.
I tell people I don’t because it's not ethical to wager on a sport that a reporter covers.
It also would be embarrassing for someone who is supposed to be an expert on racing --I use “expert” loosely -- to never cash a ticket.
Today’s Shelby 427 is one race I sure wouldn’t bet on even if I had to have some extra money for a tank of gas.
That said, the best bet would be on a driver from either Roush Fenway Racing or Hendrick Motorsports. Roush has won six of the past 11 Cup races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, including Carl Edwards' victory last year.
Hendrick has won four times; Jimmie Johnson won from 2005 through 2007.
Roush’s Matt Kenseth can become the first Cup driver in 61 years to start a season with three victories. He won at Las Vegas in 2003 and 2004, and was my favorite this week until he qualified 40th.
Johnson, the three-time reigning series champion, looks pretty good. He qualified third but moves into the No. 1 spot after Kyle Busch had to drop from the pole he won Friday to the rear of the pack because of Toyota engine problems.
The apparent lubrication problems that affected Busch and four other Toyotas on Friday supposedly have been corrected. But according to Toyota Racing Development director Lee White, in order to fix the problem it might cost his cars four or five horsepower.
SIGHTING
Just held a door open at the media center for two showgirls and a guy who was supposed to be either Elvis or Andrew Dice Clay. I'm not sure.
Viva Las Phonies.
