There’ll be no discussion of principles package, modifications, horsepower or construction in this week’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
The smallest track on the NASCAR program at just a half-mile produces tight racing and close contest simply due to its close quarters.
Drivers require a particular skill set to succeed at the historic track. But patience and a cool head through a 500-lap, almost four-hour grind can also be paramount to win the race or finish well.
For those who like NASCAR gambling, here are six drivers to consider backing in Sunday’s STP 500.
Kyle Busch (+200)
It is probably going to be a while before Busch isn’t regarded as a popular at any track on the Cup circuit. He’s off to some red-hot start, and it has won two races in a row.
His Automobile Club Speedway success a week ago was his 200th career NASCAR national series triumph. Busch has a series of seven straight Martinsville top-10 finishes including wins at the 2016 spring race and 2017 fall race. Bet Busch to acquire at +200 and -200 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse in New Jersey.
Brad Keselowski (+500)
Keselowski has finished in the top-10 seven out of the previous eight Martinsville races and won there in the 2017 spring race.
In the past ten races in the course, the Team Penske driver has led the third-most laps at 427. Bet him to win +500 and +125 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport in New Jersey.
Joey Logano (+600)
Martinsville was a contentious location for Logano over the years, such as last October when he made contact with Martin Truex Jr. over the previous turn of the last lap to get the lead and the win.
But Logano is also among the strongest drivers in the track and has directed 825 laps at its previous 10 races (second most) for example 309 ahead of the area last fall. Bet him to triumph at +600 and +150 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Martin Truex Jr. (+600)
Truex, new at Joe Gibbs Racing this year, has not forgotten how things ended last year with Logano and may have revenge in his mind.
The 2017 series winner has never won a brief track race in his Cup career but has been in the top-five the previous three Martinsville outings. Bet Truex Jr. to succeed +600 and +150 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse.
Clint Bowyer (+1000)
He ended a lengthy drought in last spring’s Martinsville race when he dominated by leading 215 laps and took the checkered flag.
Bowyer has fought this year but is considered one of the very best short-track racers from the series as he demonstrated again one year ago. Bet Bowyer to triumph +1000 and +250 to complete 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Denny Hamlin (+1000)
The Virginia native considers Martinsville a house track and had thousands of laps under his belt at regional racing in the track before he migrated to NASCAR’s top level.
He’s a five-time Martinsville winner and snuck across the Logano vs. Truex final-lap dust-up last November to finish se cond. Bet Hamlin to triumph +1000 and +250 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse.
2019 STP 500 Betting Tip
Last week’s qualifying session was a non-event: 12 drivers that advanced to the last round failed to find a formal lap on the plank. The dozen all waited till the very last second to take advantage of the higher rates from the draft and miscalculated.
That will not happen this week at Martinsville given the design and the dearth of drafting. Qualifying and getting a high starting place might be the most critical part of the weekend.
A whopping 21 drivers have won from the pole during Martinsville’s lengthy history. Given that the tight quarters and difficulty passing, particularly during extended green-flag runs, track position is essential. A total of 65 Cup race winners have come from the first four starting spots.
Pit stops and pit booth placement can also be crucial. Search for teams close to the front four or five stalls, permitting easy access to get back on track in tight quarters, to have an advantage.
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