NASCAR betting fans: We’re back with another fantastic race this weekend at Richmond International Speedway, as 43 of the best drivers in the world look to make for great Wonderful Pistachios 400 picks!

2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Odds, Picks & Info
2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Date: Saturday, September 10th, 2011
2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Green Flag Time: 7:43 ET
2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Location: Richmond International Speedway, Richmond, VA
2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Favorite: Kyle Busch (+370)
Defending Wonderful Pistachios 400 Champion: Denny Hamlin
2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 TV Coverage – Network: ABC

There are still a slew of drivers that are trying to get in the NASCAR playoffs, and several know that they need to win this race to get into the Chase. Paul Menard, Marcos Ambrose, and David Ragan all know that a win at Richmond puts them in the playoffs, and AJ Allmendinger likely knows the same thing. However, we have to think that the drivers at the top are going to be the drivers that come to the top this week as well. Case in point, Jimmie Johnson (Odds to Win the Wonderful Pistachios 400: 9 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The No. 48 was considered to be down and out over the course of the last few months, but he has stormed back in July and August and is now atop the points standings and in prime position to capture yet another Sprint Cup title. He has two wins here at this track in the past four years, and he really could be the man to get the job done on Saturday.

However, the man to win the last two races here at Richmond is Denny Hamlin (Current Wonderful Pistachios 400 Odds: 4.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook), and he is clearly the bubble boy right now for the Sprint Cup playoffs. Hamlin knows that he is safe as long as none of the names listed below wins this race, but now that he knows he can’t get into the Top 10, he has to lock down this race to get the job done. Coming in second won’t necessarily cut it. Only a win will absolutely guarantee that Hamlin is good for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

List Of Past Wonderful Pistachios 400 Champions (Since 2000)
2010 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Denny Hamlin
2009 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Denny Hamlin
2008 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
2007 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
2006 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Kevin Harvick
2005 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Kurt Busch
2004 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Jeremy Mayfield
2003 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Ryan Newman
2002 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Matt Kenseth
2001 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Ricky Rudd
2000 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Winner: Jeff Gordon

The favorite to win this short track race on Saturday though, is the man who has the most wins this year, Kyle Busch (Wonderful Pistachios 400 Lines: 3.70 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Busch did fall out of the points lead thanks to a 23rd place finish last week at the AdvoCare 500. However, we know that he is as dangerous as could be with an average finish of 11.3 in his last 20 races. Busch already has eight wins on short tracks in his career in 40 tries, and this could very well be victory No. 9.

Wonderful Pistachios 400 Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 9/7/11):
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Kyle Busch 3.70 to 1
Denny Hamlin 4.50 to 1
Jeff Gordon 9 to 1
Jimmie Johnson 9 to 1
Carl Edwards 12 to 1
Tony Stewart 12 to 1
Brad Keselowski 15 to 1
Kevin Harvick 16 to 1
Kurt Busch 19 to 1
Matt Kenseth 22 to 1
Clint Bowyer 22 to 1
Kasey Kahne 22 to 1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 32 to 1
Ryan Newman 32 to 1
Greg Biffle 32 to 1
Joey Logano 42 to 1
Martin Truex Jr. 42 to 1
Mark Martin 42 to 1
Jeff Burton 42 to 1
AJ Allmendinger 42 to 1
Paul Menard 52 to 1
Juan Pablo Montoya 52 to 1

Wonderful Pistachios 400 Odds @ JustBet Sportsbook (as of 9/7/11):
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Kyle Busch 3.50 to 1
Denny Hamlin 4 to 1
Jeff Gordon 8 to 1
Jimmie Johnson 8 to 1
Carl Edwards 11 to 1
Tony Stewart 11 to 1
Brad Keselowski 15 to 1
Kevin Harvick 15 to 1
Kurt Busch 18 to 1
Matt Kenseth 20 to 1
Clint Bowyer 20 to 1
Kasey Kahne 20 to 1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 30 to 1
Ryan Newman 30 to 1
Greg Biffle 30 to 1
Joey Logano 40 to 1
Martin Truex Jr. 40 to 1
Mark Martin 40 to 1
Jeff Burton 40 to 1
AJ Allmendinger 40 to 1
Paul Menard 50 to 1
Juan Pablo Montoya 50 to 1
Field 18 to 1

The first day of the football betting action is here! But before you get started with the NFL odds, be sure to check out our NFL prop picks for the first day of the season!

Will Mark Ingram Or Pierre Thomas Score a TD?
It’s going to be difficult for Ingram and Thomas in this one, but the truth of the matter is that there aren’t any other players that are going to be stealing these rushing touchdowns like last year. Then you have the ultimate question: Will the Saints have a rushing touchdown in this game? In all likelihood, this has to be at least a 50/50 prop. We can’t imagine that this team isn’t going to have at least one rushing TD in just seven games this season. Ingram Or Thomas To Score a TD (+125 at BoDog Sportsbook)

Robert Meachem Over/Under 32.5 Receiving Yards
Meachem is the deep threat for QB Drew Brees, and that makes him a great candidate to have at least 33 yards on just one catch. In fact, he had six receptions of at least 35 yards last season, all of which came in different games. The Packers might have some secondary issues this year, and we know that Brees isn’t going to end up falling apart under the pressure of the Green Bay linebackers and defensive line. The former Tennessee Volunteer had eight games with at least 32.5 yards through the air last season, and we tend to believe that he will get there again in this one. Meachem Over 32.5 Rushing Yards (-130 at BoDog Sportsbook)

Jermichael Finley Over/Under 55.5 Receiving Yards
This could be a mighty interesting situation here for the former Oklahoma Sooner. He had 301 yards and 21 catches in his first four games last season before getting injured. Now, Finley might have a field day against a Green Bay defense that, for all of its major pros, had a major flaw taking care of tight ends. Finley could be in for a big, big day. Finley Over 55.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at BoDog Sportsbook)