NASCAR: Odds to Win 2012 Sprint Cup, Jimmie Johnson the Favorite

Jimmie Johnson – Midseason Favorite To Win The Sprint Cup

We’re just about half way through the full 2012 NASCAR season, 19 races down and 17 more to go [schedule]. Ten of the remaining 17 races will be the Chase for the Cup, so there’s really only seven races left that will determine who makes the “playoffs.”

Back in February, Sports List of the Day looked at NASCAR’s Preseason Power Rankings. Then, Kevin Harvick was the favorite to win it all, followed by Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch rounding out the top five.

Now, from the thick of it, it’s time to take a look at what really is going on and how the season actually is unfolding. Below are every driver’s current (as of July 16) odds to win it all. These are the drivers still mathematically alive to make the Chase.

Take a look at the current standings. Matt Kenseth gets no respect. He leads all drivers in points, but is a 14-1 dog, 11th favorite to hoist the Sprint Cup Trophy in November.

Jimmie Johnson, despite being off his mark a second year in a row, is still the darling of oddsmakers and is the favorite to win it all. That would be his sixth title.

Smoke, Tony Stewart, the reigning Sprint Cup champion, is 7-1 and everybody’s favorite, Dale, Jr. (currently in second) is drafting at 8-1.

To follow the current odds throughout the season, check out my source vegasinsider.com.

Follow me on Twitter @VinGetz.

Photo: bleacherreport.com