World-Renowned Vegas Gaming Expert Picks Comedian Adam Carolla as Celebrity Favorite in 2012 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

Pro Driver Fredric Aasbo Named by Odds-Maker Anthony Curtis as Front-Runner to Take the Checkered Flag in Prestigious Grand Prix-Style Race on April 14

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Apr 03, 2012, 06:01 ET

LONG BEACH, Calif., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Comedian and popular personality Adam Carolla is Las Vegas handicapper Anthony Curtis' celebrity pick to give the pros a run for their money in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race on Saturday, April 14, as part of the 38th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Carolla is a radio, TV and Web host who co-created such hit series as "Crank Yankers" and "The Man Show," and is on the current season of "The Celebrity Apprentice." Professional drivers Fredric Aasbo and Brian Clauson are projected to battle it out for the coveted overall first-place spot. Aasbo's 9-2 odds are the longest for the opening-line favorite in the five years that Curtis has been ranking the competition for the race.

With his many years of experience in handicapping the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Curtis has a deep understanding of what it takes for the drivers to do well in the race, which donates money to the national nonprofit charity Racing for Kids. For the 2011 race, Curtis -- president of LasVegasAdvisor.com and one of the world's most recognized and quoted gambling authorities -- predicted that actor William Fichtner would be the first celebrity driver to cross the line; Fichtner went on to beat the entire field, celebrity and pro alike.

"As the drivers are training, I'm there watching and taking notes," said Curtis. "And I've also driven the Toyota Pro/Celebrity track, so I know what to look for in predicting who will do well in the final race. It's a great time, and every one of the drivers is here to win, but -- most importantly -- they want to help the kids being served by the children's hospitals that Toyota supports on behalf of the racers."

Curtis has sized up how the field of 18 celebrities and pros will perform in this historic 10-lap race for charity, which is conducted in race-ready Scion tCs on a 1.97-mile street circuit through the downtown streets of Long Beach in Southern California. He offers his exclusive expert predictions solely for entertainment purposes on www.lasvegasadvisor.com.

Here's how Curtis sees the field of 18 after four days of drivers' training at an undisclosed California desert locale.

Celebrities:

* Adam Carolla (7-1)	Funnyman Carolla is a serious contender to win this year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. He first competed in 2003, and was a front-runner when he drove in the 2010 competition. He's fared well in his past two runs and may do even better this year.
* Adrien Brody (8-1)	A fast driver who is also returning for his third time to this street course. If Brody can maintain his speed and keep his focus from training, he might very well earn a new trophy to put next to his Oscar.
* Brody Jenner (8-1)	Though it's Jenner's first time in the race, he showed natural ability over training weekend—not surprising, considering that his father, Bruce, has competed here five times, winning two of those. Will Brody follow in his dad's footsteps?
* Rutledge Wood (10-1)	This NASCAR super-fan and commentator seems to have picked up some fast-driving tips on the job. He put in a good showing on training weekend, and might do it again when it counts.
* Kim Coates (11-1)	The "Sons of Anarchy" actor has a passion for the sport and a friendly competition with his good friend William Fichtner. He'll have to improve on his performance from last year, though, if he wants to be a contender.
* Cain Velasquez (16-1)	Velasquez has lost only one bout in his professional career—do we think this uber-competitive athlete will put the pedal to the metal to ensure that this won't be a mark in his loss column? Yes. Yes, we do.
* Eddie Cibrian (22-1)	This leading man may quicken the pulse of his female fans, but he'll need to quicken his pace if he wants to land in the winner's circle on race day.
* Hill Harper (23-1)	The "CSI: NY" star will need to dig deep and increase his already high intensity level if he wants to claim a victory in this star-studded competition.
* Kate del Castillo (24-1)	The Mexican superstar may want to tap into one of her ferociously cutthroat on-screen personas to find the competitive edge to beat out her fellow drivers.
* Jillian Barberie Reynolds (27-1)	With her years of sports reporting, Barberie Reynolds is used to being a woman in a man's world. And—as this is her second time in the race—she's familiar with the track in Long Beach, too.
* Eileen Davidson (38-1)	The actress may be a respected veteran on screen, but on the track she's a newbie. She'll need to overcome her lack of experience if she wants to earn a respectable showing in the race.

The Southern California Toyota dealer seat is being filled by Biff Gordon, general manager of Quality Toyota in Corona, Calif. Also in this year's race are charity auction winners Douglas Fregin and Jerry Westlund.

* Biff Gordon (9-1)	Being a Toyota dealer gives Gordon something of an edge—he showed well throughout practice weekend and may surprise the crowd in Long Beach.
* Jerry Westlund (12-1)	It's the fourth race for this auction winner, so he knows this course like the back of his hand. Will it translate to a win? We'll find out on April 14.
* Douglas Fregin (28-1)	The Research in Motion co-founder will no doubt get his car in motion for this, his second go-around as a driver in Toyota Pro/Celebrity race.

The celebrity field is set to test its skills against a strong contingent of professionals (and one celeb racing as a pro). The celebs might have a 30-second head start, but the professionals will catch up quickly.

Professionals:

* Fredric Aasbo (9-2)	Throughout practice weekend, this Scion drift driver showed why he was named 2010 Formula Rookie of the Year. The odds of winning—the longest in the five years Curtis has been making them—are strongly in his favor.
* Brian Clauson (5-1)	The former USAC National Midget champion isn't far behind in the odds—if practice weekend performance is any indication, fans should expect a tough battle for the top spot between this Toyota USAC driver and his closest rival Aasbo.
* William Fichtner (9-1)	It's his fourth race but first in the pro category (after he was the top finishing driver overall in 2011). Fichtner is determined to overcome the 30-second handicap he'll have by starting with the pros this year, but it's been tough for past celebrity winners to make up the time.
* Jim Jonsin (9-1)	Owner of Rebel Rock Racing, Jonsin will need to rebel against the odds if he wants to own a spot in the winner's circle.

"It's always a pleasure to have Anthony Curtis handicap the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race for entertainment purposes—and this year is no exception," said Les Unger, Toyota's national motorsports manager. "The drivers are inspired to try to live up to the odds when they're good—or beat the odds when they're not so favorable. And the fans really love that extra level of friendly competition."

Toyota will donate $5,000 to Racing for Kids on behalf of each participant and another $5,000 to the winning racer's charity of choice. Racing for Kids—a national nonprofit program benefiting children's hospitals throughout the country—was created as a way to connect these children with their favorite celebrities and race-car drivers. Toyota has donated more than $2 million to the Racing for Kids organization since 1991, on behalf of this race and its participants. The two specific children's hospitals that benefit from the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race are Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, Calif., and Children's Hospital of Orange County.

Finally, this year—as in many years past—a $15,000 donation will be made in conjunction with the annual People Pole Award. In its 15th year, the People magazine–sponsored award will honor the pole-position winner of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race qualifying session on Friday, April 13.

To learn more about the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, one of six main-event attractions taking place during the 38th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, go to www.toyotaracing.com/, visit our Facebook page (Toyota Racing), follow us on Twitter @ToyotaRacing or join the conversation with the participants at #TPCR.

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 LasVegasAdvisor.com, 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 in tournament play, Curtis's 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.