It took the oldest driver on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit, Mark Martin, to win the pole for today's Kobalt Tools 500 at perhaps the toughest and the fastest non-restrictor-plate track's, Atlanta Motor Speedway. The track has its problems now 12 years since its reconfiguration from a true oval so its not surprising the most experienced driver at NASCAR's highest level qualified for the front row inside. The pole is the first for Martin since joining with Hendrick Motorsports.
Martin's starting from the pole did not make him the race favorite however as oddsmakers at online sports book Bodog list Carl Edwards of Roush-Fenway Racing at 4/1 odds as race favorite. Kyle Busch, winner of last weeks Las Vegas race is expected to be in the running at 5/1 odds.
Bodog oddsmakers are giving Edwards the favorites nod based on his past performances at AMS and not his performance in the three races run this year. Edwards' top finish so far in 2009
was a 7th place finish in the Auto Club 500 at Fontana in Week-2. Edwards finished 18th at Daytona and 17th at Las Vegas in the Shelby 427.
Other top drivers expected to have a solid chance of winning are Jimmie Johnson (6/1), Greg Biffle (6/1) Jeff Gordon (8/1), and two-time winner in 2009 Matt Kenseth also at 10/1. Martin is also installed at 10/1 odds.
A.J. Almendinger 200/1
Bobby Labonte 85/1
Brian vickers 50/1
Carl Edwards 5/1
Casey Mears 200/1
Clint Bowyer 50/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 20/1
David Ragan 40/1
David Reutimann 75/1
David Stremme 100/1
Denny Hamlin 14/1
Elliott Sadler 100/1
Greg Biffle 6/1
Jamie McMurray 25/1
Jeff Burton 35/1
Jeff Gordon 8/1
Jimmie Johnson 6/1
Joey Logano 100/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 50/1
Kasey Kahne 25/1
Kevin Harvick 25/1
Kurt Busch 12/1
Kyle Busch 5/1
Mark Martin 10/1
Martin Truex Jr. 100/1
Matt Kenseth 10/1
Michael Waltrip 200/1
Paul Menard 300/1
Reed Sorenson 300/1
Ryan Newman 75/1
Sam Hornish Jr. 300/1
Scott Speed 200/1
Tony Stewart 20/1
Field (any other driver)
