Jimmie Johnson won the UAW DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year, started the 2006 season with a victory in the prestigious Daytona 500 and then finished second in California two weeks ago.

So it's no surprise the defending champ is favored to repeat on Sunday, or is at least among the co-favorites.

Johnson is a 6/1 choice at Sam's Town, 6/1 with Tony Stewart at the Stratosphere Tower and a 7/1 selection at the Las Vegas Hilton with Greg Biffle and rising star Carl Edwards.

"I don't like Jimmie Johnson, but everyone's betting him," Toni Edwards, a Sam's Town supervisor, announced.

They're also wagering on two-time winner Matt Kenseth, 2001 champion Jeff Gordon and the ever-popular Mark Martin.

"They still drive for Rousch Racing and that's the biggest and best team out there," Edwards observed.

She also expects strong performances from Las Vegas brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch, whose odds are 20/1 and 15/1 respectively.

"This is their hometown track," Edwards continued.

Kenseth and Biffle are 7/1 at Sam's Town, with Martin, Gordon and Stewart at 8/1.

The SuperBook pegs Gordon at 12/1, Stewart at 8/1 and Martin at 10/1.

Edwards likes Biffle in the 400 and, of course, her favorite driver, Ryan Newman, who's in the middle of the pack between 15/1 and 20/1.

She also is keeping an eye on rookie Reed Sorenson, who's 18/1 at Sam's Town but 50/1 at the Hilton.

"Some friends told me to watch him, so I am," Edwards said.

Bettors are shying away from Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was 15/1 at Sam's Town, 25/1 at the Hilton and 19/1 at the Stratosphere.

"Junior just doesn't do well at this track," Edwards observed.

The Stratosphere gives Kenseth the nod in Saturday's Busch Series Sam Town 300 and Biffle (9/2) gets the Hilton's call.

Edwards notes Sam's Town players favor Kenseth, but they're also keen on Kasey Kahne.

"Mr. Romeo," she murmered. "He's getting pretty good action."

Robert Jaynes, the Stratosphere's race and sports director, has posted a pair of props that focus on the Indy 500 rather than the local race.

Jaynes wants to make sure he has plenty of futures and props posted by the time March Madness crowds begin cramming betting stores.

"One asks if Danica Patrick will win a race in 2006 and the other asks if she will win this year's Indy," Jaynes said.

"I know they're two different types of cars, but if you like racing you like racing, period."

Lynda Collins is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of her articles at http://www.procappers.com/Lynda_Collins.htm