Pacific Office Automation Odds: Absence of AJ Allmendinger Opens the Door for Other Drivers

• Absence of AJ Allmendinger gives other drivers a fighting chance.
• Three-time winner Austin Hill is an underrated road course racer.
• Now that Justin Allgaier has a win, he’ll start making up for lost time.

Pacific Office Automation 147 Odds

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Our Picks for the Pacific Office Automation 147

• Justin Allgaier to win the race at +650
• Jordan Taylor to finish in the top three at +350

Pacific Office Automation 147 Predictions

Absence of AJ Allmendinger Opens the Door for Other Drivers

AJ Allmendinger won last year’s inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Portland International Raceway in a rainstorm.

Though the forecast for this year’s race features clear skies and warm weather, Allmendinger would still be the favorite—if he were there to defend his victory.

But Allmendinger is driving full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series this year, and he won’t be in Portland. Accordingly, the field is wide open for a new winner.

That’s why the odds are so tightly bunched, with Cole Custer as the favorite at +450 via DraftKings Sportsbook.

But we’re not on the Custer bandwagon this week, and we’re not backing second choice Myatt Snider (+550 DraftKings), even though Snider finished second to Allmendinger in last year’s race.

Three-Time Winner Austin Hill Is an Underrated Road Course Racer

Austin Hill made his reputation on superspeedways, but the best-kept secret in the NASCAR Xfinity Series is that Hill is capable of contending on any type of race track.

Hill won three of the first five races in the series this year, and, admittedly, two of those victories came on superspeedways—at Daytona and Atlanta.

But Hill also won at Las Vegas, and he comes to Portland on the strength of three straight fourth-place finishes at Dover, Darlington, and Charlotte.   

Hill ran third at Portland International Raceway last year, and we think he’s a solid pick to take advantage of AJ Allmendinger’s absence. We just don’t like Hill’s short odds at +550 via DraftKings.

Now a Winner This Year, Justin Allgaier Is Making Up for Lost Time

It took 12 races for Justin Allgaier to notch his first win this season, a feat he accomplished in Monday’s rain-delayed Alsco Uniforms 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Allgaier had pole-winning speed at Charlotte, and the veteran driver won the race by saving fuel on the final green-flag run.

The victory was the 20th of Allgaier’s career. Three of those wins have come on road courses—at Montreal, Mid-Ohio, and Road America.

We’re picking Allgaier to win this week at +650 via DraftKings. He was fifth in last year’s rain race, and we think he’ll do even better in the sunshine.

How to Watch the Pacific Office Automation 147

• Race: Pacific Office Automation 147 NASCAR Xfinity Series race
• Location: Portland International Raceway
• Time: Saturday, June 3, 4:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: FS1