Fact and fantasy about gambling on NASCAR races

	The success of one of Carl Edwards' back flips is one of the few things one cannot wager on in Las Vegas. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

This week, the NASCAR nation moves to Nevada, the only place in the grand ol' US of A where gambling on sports is legal.

Most Nevada gambling establishments will offer a variety of wagers. While this includes action on events such as "most laps led," it doesn't include exotic wagers such as the ones associated with the Super Bowl (winning the coin flip, first touchdown, first turnover, etc.).

Since those bets provide the most entertainment, we've coupled some fantasy wagers that Nevada should consider with some facts about gambling on NASCAR.

Fact: Ten years ago, it was hard to find any place to make a legal wager on NASCAR. That's changed as every Nevada sports book will now take your stock-car money.

Fantasy: The odds are 2-to-1 that Tony Stewart will reach the top of fence when he celebrates after a victory this season. Carl Edwards is such a sure thing to complete his victory flip that no oddsmaker will touch the proposition.

Fact: Nevada has patterned its NASCAR wages after ones it already had in place for a couple of other individual sports, golf and tennis. The two most popular wages are picking the event winner and picking the winner of a head-to-head driver match-up. Bettors usually don't get to pick the match-ups, but can select from a dozen or more established by the gambling house.

Fantasy: The pairing we'd like to see is Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman. Put them in a fight-to-the-finish cage match and let them go at it. But the sure bet is that it will never happen as NASCAR tries to limit such off-track activities.

Fact: Unlike other sports, NASCAR doesn't have any rules against drivers gambling. The reason? Officials can always use its all-powerful "actions detrimental to the sport" provision. NASCAR officials, always doing whatever it takes to grow the sport, don't mind that casinos sponsor cars and events. They do want to be able to step in, however, if a particular individual gets out of control.

Fantasy: The odds are 2-to-1 that a driver will win a race this season by taking a gamble with either tires or fuel. The odds are only 4-to-1 that a driver will run out of gas while making his victory lap and have to be pushed to Victory Lane.

Fact: Nevada gives odds on a driver winning the season championship not only in Nextel Cup, but in the Busch and Craftsman Series.

Fantasy: The odds are 5-to-1 that a full-time driver on the Nextel Cup Series will lose his ride before the season ends, but quickly land on his feet by accepting a ride in either Busch or the trucks.