There’ll be no discussion of rules bundle, modifications, horsepower or construction in this week’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
The smallest track on the NASCAR schedule at only a half-mile creates tight racing and close contest simply because of its quarters.
Drivers need a particular skill set to be successful in the historic track. But patience and a cool head through a 500-lap, nearly four-hour grind is also paramount to win the race or finish nicely.
For those who enjoy NASCAR betting, here are six drivers to consider financing in Sunday’s STP 500.
Kyle Busch (+200)
It’s likely going to be some time before Busch is not regarded as a popular at any course on the Cup circuit. He is off to some red-hot start, and it has won two races in a row.
His Automobile Club Speedway victory a week back was his 200th career NASCAR national series triumph. Busch has a streak of seven straight Martinsville top-10 finishes such as wins at the 2016 spring race and 2017 autumn race. Bet Busch to win at +200 and -200 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse in New Jersey.
Brad Keselowski (+500)
Keselowski has ended in the top-10 seven from the previous eight Martinsville races and won there in the 2017 spring race.
In the past 10 races at the track, the Team Penske driver has led the third-most laps in 427. Bet him to win at +500 and +125 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport in New Jersey.
Joey Logano (+600)
Martinsville has been a controversial place for Logano over the years, such as last October when he made contact with Martin Truex Jr. over the last turn of the last lap to have the lead and the win.
However, Logano is also one of the strongest drivers in the track and has led 825 laps at its previous 10 races (second most) for example 309 before the area last fall. Bet him to win +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 might have revenge on his mind.
The 2017 series champion has never won a short track race in his Cup career but was at the top-five the last three Martinsville outings. Bet Truex Jr. to win +600 and +150 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse.
Clint Bowyer (+1000)
He ended a long drought in last spring’s Martinsville race when he dominated by top 215 laps and took the checkered flag.
Bowyer has fought this season but is considered among the best short-track racers from the series as he demonstrated again 1 year ago. Bet Bowyer to win +1000 and +250 to complete 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Denny Hamlin (+1000)
The Virginia native believes Martinsville a house track and had tens of thousands of laps under his belt at regional racing at 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 win at +1000 and +250 to finish 1st-3rd with SugarHouse.
2019 STP 500 Betting Tip
Last week’s qualifying session was a non-event: 12 drivers who advanced into the last round failed to get a formal lap on the board. The dozen waited until the very last second to take advantage of the higher rates in the draft and miscalculated.
That won’t happen this week at Martinsville given the design and the lack of drafting. Qualifying and receiving a top starting place might be the most crucial part of the weekend.
A whopping 21 drivers have won from the pole throughout Martinsville’s lengthy history. Given that the tight quarters and problem passing, particularly during long green-flag runs, monitor position is essential. A total of 65 Cup race champions have come from the first four starting places.
Pit stops and pit booth placement is also crucial. Look for teams close to the front five or four stalls, allowing easy access to get back on track in tight quarters, to have an edge.
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