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Friday, March 2 Labonte a 9-2 favorite Associated Press LAS VEGAS -- Bobby Labonte is the favorite in Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. Just ask the bettors. Most people don't even think about placing wagers on Winston Cup racing because it isn't a betting sport and has only in recent years reached the attention of most of middle America. But, when in the gaming capital of the world ... Operators of the sports books in Las Vegas take bets on NASCAR's top stock car series for each of its race, but the local event gets by far the biggest play. Joe Lupo, director of the race and sports book at the Stardust, said the handle on Sunday's race will be similar to what the hotel would see bet on a minor Division I college football game. Since the betting on auto racing is pretty small potatoes for the Vegas sports books, the most interesting aspect is the loyalty of its fans. "NASCAR is a sport where the fans are extremely loyal to their drivers," said Chuck Cunningham, a supervisor at the Imperial Palace sports book. "When they come in, they tend to come in and bet their favorite." Labonte, who finished 40th in Daytona and second last Monday in Rockingham, N.C., is a 9-2 favorite at the Imperial Palace. But there's also a lot of money down on Dale Earnhardt Jr., an obvious emotional wave in the aftermath of his father's death in a crash on Feb. 18 at Daytona. "With the passing of Senior, all the focus has now come down on Junior," explained Micah Roberts, manager of the race and sports book at Santa Fe Station. The younger Earnhardt, who finished second in Daytona and crashed out on the first lap in Rockingham, started out 5-1. Passing grade Ray Evernham, who guided the re-entry of Dodge into NASCAR's top series after a 16-year absence, said the new Intrepids are doing all right, so far. "A lot of people ask us, and we're really not avoiding where we are with the Dodges," he said. "We just don't know yet exactly because going from Daytona to Rockingham was two different worlds. "From Rockingham to here is a different world, and again to Atlanta (next Sunday) "After we get done at Atlanta, I think we'll be better able to tell where our cars are at. Right now, it looks like we've got a good aerodynamic balance. I think we're close enough where if we find just a little bit, the Dodges can be competitive." Bill Elliott, who drives for Evernham's new team, was the highest finishing Dodge in Daytona, coming in fifth. Sterling Marlin, driving for Chip Ganassi, was eighth in Rockingham to lead the manufacturer there. Big bucks The first of five 2001 opportunities for a select group of drivers and some lucky fans to collect $1 million bonuses will come in Sunday's race. The eligible drivers, based on the top-five finish in the Winston 500 last October in Talladega, Ala., are Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte, Joe Nemechek and Kenny Wallace. Dale Earnhardt, who won the race, is being replaced in the event by Richard Childress Racing teammate Mike Skinner. If one of those five drivers wins here Sunday, both the driver and a fan paired with him will take home a $1 million bonus. The fans were chosen in a nationwide drawing, then paired at random with the drivers. The top five finishers in Sunday's race will then be eligible for the next No Bull 5 event, the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27 in Charlotte, N.C. The other races in the program this year include the Pepsi 400 on July 7 in Daytona, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 on Sept. 8 in Richmond and the Talladega 500 on Oct. 21. Spark plugs NASCAR has made Saturday's scheduled "Happy Hour" final practice and "Happy Hour and a Half," adding 30 minutes because officials decided the teams needed more on-track time. ... The last two races here have been won by Jeff Burton from outside the top 10. Last year, he started 19th. ... Burton has not finished worse than second in the three Las Vegas races. ... Kenny Wallace has finished 39th or worse in the three events here.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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