For the first time in three years of writing this column, I will be in Las Vegas for a Sprint Cup race. After years of talking about fake money, I could use real money for the entertainment purposes of me and me alone.

But even though I could bet on this race or real, I won’t. Here’s why:

Drivers are desperate:
Carl Edwards needs a win to make the Chase, and Roush cars fare well on these kind of tracks.  Ditto Kyle Busch minus faring well on this track.
Ditto Marcos Ambrose plus the “Marcos Ambrose can still make the Chase!?!?” storyline.

Chase contenders are racing for different reasons:
Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth need to recollect himself. Greg Biffle wants the points lead after 26 races. Brad Keselowski needs to stay out of trouble.

The final two races before the Chase and the first two races after the Chase are total blind dart tosses. Up a fake 452 dollars, I’ll gladly stick with entertainment purpose fake wagering.  

20 fake dollars on Jimmie Johnson at 6/1
Johnson dominated at Indi and has the best average finish among active drivers at this track. Plus, he’s been so solid the last two months. Why not add another win?

10 fake dollars on Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. at 12/1
Atlanta compares to Michigan and Charlotte, where Kahne and the #88 won earlier this year. Gordon has five wins at Atlanta and won here last year.

Hendick or bust. There are worse ways to figure out Atlanta. Enjoy the long weekend; see what The Spread thinks,  and insert random catchphrase here.

Jimmie Johnson 6/1
Tony Stewart 8/1
Matt Kenseth 8/1
Greg Biffle 8/1
Denny Hamlin 8/1
Kyle Busch 8/1
Kasey Kahne 12/1
Brad Keselowski 12/1
Jeff Gordon 12/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 12/1
Carl Edwards 12/1
Kevin Harvick 20/1
Mark Martin 20/1
Martin Truex Jr 25/1
Clint Bowyer 25/1
Ryan Newman 40/1
Joey Logano 40/1
Marcos Ambrose 50/1
Paul Menard 100/1
Jamie McMurray 100/1
Kurt Busch 100/1
Aric Almirola 100/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 100/1
Jeff Burton 100/1
Sam Hornish Jr 100/1
Regan Smith 300/1
Danica Patrick 300/1
Trevor Bayne 300/1
Bobby Labonte 300/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 50/1