Smoke is finally causing fire.

Tony Stewart is in the midst of racing streak the likes of which NASCAR hasn’t seen in years. This blazing run afforded many a chance to take advantage of generous odds, numbers which are finally starting to extinguish the likelihood of picking Stewart in the future.

Stewart is the 4/1 favorite. One would have to go back to Jimmie Johnson’s run in 2010 before seeing those numbers again. Those are Kyle Busch at Bristol numbers. Tony Stewart has success at Texas, but not that much success. Stewart has won three straight races on 1.5 mile tracks. Still, 42 other cars will start. Half have a chance to win.

As much as I would like to take Whopper Man, especially after his employee cost me 50 fake dollars two weeks ago, I can’t. Up a fake 365 dollars for the year, here’s my comeback plan for the sake of entertainment only.

10 fake dollars on Matt Kenseth at 10/1
Kenseth made me openly cry last year with his Texas run. If it happens  twice…

10 fake dollars on Denny Hamlin at 12/1
Hamlin has the best average finish among active drivers, a better engine and a better crew chief. This number looks really good, which means it might be really bad.

10 fake dollars on Greg Biffle at 12/1
Biffle might be the 2012 Carl Edwards, which means he might win the title and cost me 20 different times during the year.

10 fake dollars on Clint Bowyer at 20/1
I firmly believe Bowyer might be the MVP of NASCAR in 2012. His arrival rejuvenated a struggling team. Couple that with a good history at Texas, and this could make my year.

5 fake dollars on Ryan Newman at 25/1
So if Smoke is so good at Texas, why can’t his teammate win?

5 fake dollars on Marcos Ambrose at 80/1
I might be wasting my money, but this is one of Ambrose’s best tracks that don’t involve the words “road” and “course.” Ford cars run well at Texas. I can dream??? I probably will lose

It’s fitting for something like Tony Stewart’s hot streak to blaze in a place like Texas. Let’s see if he cools off under the lights Saturday night. Here’s what The Spread thinks, and insert random catchphrase here.

Tony Stewart 4/1
Jimmie Johnson 5/1
Carl Edwards 6/1
Kyle Busch 8/1
Matt Kenseth 10/1
Brad Keselowski 10/1
Jeff Gordon 10/1
Kevin Harvick 10/1
Denny Hamlin 12/1
Greg Biffle 12/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 15/1
Kasey Kahne 15/1
Clint Bowyer 20/1
Ryan Newman 25/1
Martin Truex Jr 30/1
Joey Logano 50/1
AJ Allmendinger 60/1
Jamie McMurray 75/1
Marcos Ambrose 80/1
Jeff Burton 80/1
Paul Menard 100/1
Kurt Busch 100/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 100/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 50/1