By Mike Mulhern
LAS VEGAS
The MGM Grand sports book, that venerable betting spa, opened its line on NASCAR’s Dodge 400 here Tuesday, and Jimmie Johnson led the pack at 4-to-1.
Now Las Vegas books don’t make much money on NASCAR bettors, and they really don’t get much NASCAR action either.
But the way the big sports books look at NASCAR’s stars is interesting.
Here the line opens the Johnson at the top; he’s going for his fourth straight at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Tony Stewart is listed at 11-to-2, followed by Jeff Gordon at 6-to-1 and Dale Earnhardt Jr. at 7-to-1.
Carl Edwards, Monday’s 500 winner, starts out at 10-to-1. Ryan Newman, the Daytona 500 winner, is 18-to-1.
Matt Kenseth, the guy who will probably win the 400, if he can beat red-hot Kyle Busch, opens at 12-to-1.
And Kyle Busch? He’s a 10-to-1 pick at the opening.