Through The Tears, Denny Hamlin Wins At Pocono

Sports Betting News - August 3rd, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

During a rare Monday race for NASCAR, Denny Hamlin finally ended his 50 race winless streak, with a win at Pocono Raceway. Since March 2008, Denny Hamlin has failed, with succession, but finally rose above and took the win, despite being heavy hearted. Hamlin is dealing with the loss of his 91 year old grandmother, and the grief that his family is going through. It was hard just for Hamlin to think about racing a car, let alone win the event.

With the odds stacked against him, Hamlin was not expected to win, as per his odds were set at +725, by most online sportsbooks which cover NASCAR bets. Though Hamlin has won at Pocono, three times previous, odds makers placed him in the middle of the field, allowing knowledgable NASCAR fans the chance to make a real value bet...a value bet that came through.

Despite Hamlin being the main story, other drivers, made news of their own. For instance, Juan Montoya took his first top ten position, at the Ponoco Raceway, landing in second place. Though his battle was an uphill one, Montoya persevered, taking the runner up spot. Montoya changed positions, many times, throughout the course of the race and followed up a disappointing Brickyard performance, with a strong 2nd place finish.

Clint Bowyer, managed a third place finish, depsite being in the lead with less than 10 laps to go. Bowyer had full intentions of of winning at Pocono, but at the 10 lap to go mark, Bowyer's tires slowly started to leave him, opening the door to Hamlin, whose tires were fresher.

Rounding out the rest of the top 10:

Sam Hornish Jr. - 4th Place
Kasey Kahne - 5th Place
Brian Vickers - 6th Place
Mark Martin - 7th Place
Jeff Gordon - 8th Place
Kurt Busch - 9th Place
Tony Stewart - 10th Place

Other stories included a day of troubles, and triumph, for Jimmie Johnson. Mid-race, Johnson began to experience troubles with his engine, as he was unable to keep up to minimum speed, as determined by NASCAR. After several trips, to the pits, Johnson and crew were able to get the 48 car, back on the track, 3 laps down. Through cautions, and good driving, Johnson was able to get back to the lead lap, before finishing the race in 13th.

The weather was very nice, on Monday, at Pocono, however things were anything but nice, and cool, for Robbie Gordon and David Stremme. Both Gordon and Stremme were bumping all day, creating cautions. At one point, Gordon bumped Stremme the while way around the track, and then was spun, as Gordon attempted to pass Stremme. Finally, NASCAR had seen enough, and docked both drivers for a 5 lap penalty.

NASCAR resumes, as scheduled, Sunday, August 9th, 2009 from Watkins Glen International. NASCAR at the Glen is always a different race, as it is only one of two tracks, with both left and right hand turns. Typically, Tony Stewart is a strong competitor, at Watkins Glen, and expect Juan Montoya to put his road racing skills, to get to the front.

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