Johnson Still Favored To Win 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship

Johnson favored to win title in Las Vegas

By Micah Roberts

Looks like Jimmie Johnson is still considered king in NASCAR despite not winning his sixth consecutive title. The LVH Super Book, formerly known as the Las Vegas Hilton, made Johnson the 9-to-2 favorite to win the title followed by Carl Edwards at 5-to-1.

Defending champion Tony Stewart is among six drivers listed at 8-to-1 that includes Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and new Hendrick Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne. Kahne takes over the No. 5 car for Mark Martin.

Despite Las Vegan Kurt Busch being ran from the Penske stable, he's still listed at 60-to-1 while driving the heavily NASCAR impaired No. 51, a sign that Las Vegas thinks Busch's driving ability can overcome bad equipment. His replacement in the No. 22 car, A.J. Allmendinger, is listed at 75-to-1.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is given 40-to-1 odds showing that Vegas believes Junior's issues will persist in 2012 despite running a decent points season in 2011. Clint Bowyer's odds were listed lower at 30-to-1 even though he'll be driving his first season for a lesser team with Michael Waltrip Racing.

LVH SUPER BOOK Odds to Win
2012 SPRINT CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

JIMMIE JOHNSON 9-2
CARL EDWARDS 5
KYLE BUSCH 8
MATT KENSETH 8
JEFF GORDON 8
KASEY KAHNE 8
TONY STEWART 8
KEVIN HARVICK 8
DENNY HAMLIN 12
GREG BIFFLE 20
BRAD KESELOWSKI 20
CLINT BOWYER 30
DALE EARNHARDT JR 40
RYAN NEWMAN 50
KURT BUSCH 60
MARTIN TRUEX JR 75
JEFF BURTON 75
JOEY LOGANO 75
JUAN MONTOYA 75
JAMIE McMURRAY 75
AJ ALLMENDINGER 75
PAUL MENARD 100
MARCOS AMBROSE 100
FIELD 40