Adam Carolla, Zachary Levi and Brian Austin Green are Vegas Gaming Expert Anthony Curtis' Latest Celebrity Picks as Favorites to Win 2010 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

World-Renowned Handicapper Shakes Up Predictions After Practice Runs for Prestigious Grand-Prix-Style Charity Race on April 17

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Apr 12, 2010, 11:41 ET

LONG BEACH, Calif., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- After watching this week's practice session, Las Vegas gaming expert Anthony Curtis says comedian Adam Carolla has the best chance to lead a field of celebrities to challenge a gritty group of pro drivers in Saturday's world famous Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. It won't be a laughing matter as Carolla fights off a feisty field of Hollywood stars led by Zachary Levi, star of NBC's "Chuck," and Brian Austin Green of the original "Beverly Hills 90210." Curtis, president of LasVegasAdvisor.com, says that the odds-on favorite to win the April 17 race through the streets of downtown Long Beach, Calif., however, is former IndyCar World Series Champ, Jimmy Vasser.

Credited as one of the world's most recognized and quoted gambling authorities, Curtis has revised his predictions on how America's favorite celebrities from film, television, music and sports will fare in this historic, 10-lap race for charity, conducted in race-modified Scion tCs on a 1.97-mile street circuit as part of the 36th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. He offers his insights solely for entertainment purposes on www.lasvegasadvisor.com . [There will be no actual wagering on the outcome of the race.]

"After further observations and reviews from Press/Practice Day runs through the streets of downtown Long Beach, there's been a major shake-up in the odds. Based on what I've seen, I am now revising my predictions for the outcome. The celebrity field will get a 30-second head start over the pros, and in a short 10-lap race for charity, that's a hefty lead," said Curtis. The new odds have Grammy award-winning singer Jesse McCartney moving closer to an award-winning afternoon and actor Patrick Warburton slipping to the middle of the pack, just as he slipped away from "Elaine" on the hit TV series, "Seinfeld." The most surprising improvements, however, are from charity auction winners, Jerry Westlund (32-1 to 17-1) and Dave Pasant (27-1 to 13-1).

"While Westlund made the biggest jump, Pasant who is listed as the second-favorite among the celebrity group has a great shot at winning," said Curtis. "It's really exciting to see how the retired insurance executive has emerged as the guy to watch. This week's qualifying results are sure to cause the odds to change again, possibly significantly."

Here's how Curtis now sees the field of 19 shaping up:

Celebrities:

-- Adam Carolla (12-1)	Opening odds: 11-1. Funnyman Carolla is ranked as a serious contender to win this year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. He remains the celebrity favorite, but the tightly packed field is very close behind.

-- Zachary Levi (15-1)	Opening odds: 12-1. Showing great consistency and strong speed, Levi is still a definite threat to win. Strong contender.

-- Brian Austin Green (16-1)	Opening odds: 16-1. Second-time competitor in this race could be viewed as the 'sleeper' in the bunch. Don't count out this '90210' original castmate just yet.

-- Adrien Brody (16-1)	Opening odds: 20-1. Overall athletic ability coupled with natural speed and quick thinking on the track could help Brody break to the front of the pack. If Brody qualifies well, maintains his speed and keeps his focus, he could surprise all and earn a new trophy to put next to his Oscar.

-- Jesse McCartney (18-1)	Opening odds: 26-1. By far the most improved driver. Absorbs like a sponge and is ready for the challenge. Started out knowing the least, but has gained the most knowledge. Look for McCartney to put his quick learning skills to the test.

-- Patrick Warburton (20-1)	Opening odds: 15-1. Will this quirky salesman from "Seinfeld" be a strong contender behind the wheel of a race-ready Scion tC? Good driver, has understanding of car performance, but has tendency to check mirror too often.

-- Christian Slater (24-1)	Opening odds: 26-1. In his latest role as Toyota race car driver, will Slater be able to headline and win this year's celebrity race? Has shown some improvement.

-- Chris Ashworth (28-1)	Opening odds: 23-1. North Hollywood Toyota vice president and Formula One fan has a new role to add to his resume. Does he have what it takes to smooth out his lines and be competitive at fast speeds?

-- Tony Hawk (30-1)	Opening odds: 26-1. Fast on the skateboard, but has not adapted as quickly behind the wheel. Will this fearless competitor conquer another sport and skate to a podium finish in this year's 10-lap race for charity?

-- Megyn Price (52-1)	Opening odds: 45-1. Price is definitely more comfortable in the driver's seat of her Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Scion tC. She remains a long shot to win, but will do just fine if she stays focused and maintains her rhythm.

-- Tika Sumpter (75-1)	Opening odds: 35-1. Sumpter's chances for victory decreased after she was unable to attend Press/Practice Day. She will certainly have to qualify well in order to gain a competitive advantage.

The biggest shift in the odds came from charity auction winners Dave Pasant and Jerry Westlund who each donated upwards of $60,000 to Racing for Kids to compete alongside the celebs in the 2010 race.

Charity auction winners:

-- Dave Pasant (13-1)	Opening odds: 27-1. The former insurance executive and four-time charity auction winner has made great progress and is now a real threat to win. Pasant is now ranked as the second-favorite among the non-pros to capture the checkered flag.

-- Jerry Westlund (17-1)	Opening odds: 32-1. After a less than stellar finish in 2007, Westlund makes a huge leap of improvement and has turned his fate around for a chance to win this year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. Definitely a contender.

The celebrity field is set to test their skills against a strong contingent of professionals. The celebs might have a 30-second head start, but with Jimmy Vasser leading the pros, they will catch up quickly.

Professionals:

-- Jimmy Vasser (5-2)	Opening odds: 2-1. IndyCar World Series Champion Vasser is very fast and still has the speed advantage. He is still the overall favorite, but the competition remains close.

-- Tanner Foust (3-1)	Opening odds: 7-2. Foust has gained a bit of momentum. Will the talented Scion Racing Champion and pro driver use his racing talent to drift his way past Vasser to win the pro category?

-- Steve Millen (6-1)	Opening odds: 7-1. Still just a tick off Vasser and Foust in terms of speed, he might be able to make it up with his vast experience. Expect a battle between the pros.

-- Marty Nothstein (10-1)	Opening odds: 11-1. Can "The Blade" cut through the field in his second attempt to cross the finish line first? Must qualify well and maintain focus.

-- Keanu Reeves (15-1)	Opening odds: 12-1. Will sharp driving skills be enough for the 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Champion to earn another victory?

-- Jamie Bestwick (15-1)	Opening odds: 10-1. Ramping up to compete with the pros in this year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Bestwick has increased his speed, but slipped slightly in the revised odds.

"The fans really enjoy the handicapping Anthony Curtis does for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race," said Les Unger, national motorsports manager at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. "Curtis studies the field as they train throughout March and April," said Unger. "As their performance changes, he revises the odds and we've found it actually improves the level of competition. The drivers he favors fight to prove him right, and the ones he taps for the rear battle to prove him wrong. It's all in good fun and helps benefit a terrific cause."

Toyota will donate $5,000 to "Racing for Kids" in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winning racer's charity of choice. "Racing for Kids" is a national nonprofit program benefiting children's hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County, Calif. As part of the week's events, the drivers will visit children in the hospital, something that has become an important element of the race's tradition. On behalf of the race and its participants, Toyota has donated more than $1.8 million to various children's hospitals since 1991.

Finally, a $15,000 donation is made in conjunction with the 13th annual "PEOPLE Pole Award." Sponsored by People magazine, the award honors the pole-position winner of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race qualifying session on Friday, April 16.

NOTE: Celebrity odds are provided for entertainment purposes only. Wagering on the outcome of the race is neither encouraged nor implied.

ABOUT ANTHONY CURTIS

Anthony Curtis is one of the world's most recognized and quoted gambling authorities. The president of LasVegas Advisor, he has appeared as a casino expert on "Dateline NBC," "48 Hours," A&E, E! Entertainment, Discovery, The Travel Channel, The Food Channel and The Learning Channel. He has been the subject of articles in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel and Discover magazine. Curtis is author of Bargain City—Booking, Betting and Beating the New Las Vegas and The Art of Gambling Through the Ages. Considered one of the world's foremost experts on tournament play, Curtis' top tournament wins include $76,000 in the World Matchplay Blackjack Championship, $125,000 in the Atlantic City Craps Championship, $50,000 in the Las Vegas Keno Championship and $60,000 in the Las Vegas Blackjack Championship.