There’ll be no discussion of rules bundle, modifications, horsepower or drafting in this week’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
The smallest track on the NASCAR program at only a half-mile creates tight racing and intimate competition just because of its quarters.
Drivers need a certain skill set to succeed in the historic track. But patience and a cool head through a 500-lap, almost four-hour mill can also be paramount to win the race or finish well.
For those who like NASCAR gambling, here are six drivers to look at backing 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 track on the Cup circuit. He’s off to a red-hot start, and it has won two races in a row.
His Auto Club Speedway success a week ago was his 200th career NASCAR national series triumph. Busch has a streak of seven consecutive Martinsville top-10 finishes such as wins at the 2016 spring race and 2017 autumn race. Bet Busch to win +200 and -200 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse at New Jersey.
Brad Keselowski (+500)
Keselowski has ended from the top-10 seven out of the past eight Martinsville races and won there at the 2017 spring race.
In the past ten races in the track, the Team Penske driver has led the third-most laps in 427. Bet him to triumph +500 and +125 to complete 1st-3rd with 888Sport at New Jersey.
Joey Logano (+600)
Martinsville was a controversial place for Logano over the years, including last October when he made contact with Martin Truex Jr. on the last turn of the last lap to have the lead and the win.
But Logano is also one of the strongest drivers in the track and has led 825 laps at its own past 10 races (second most) including 309 ahead of the field last fall. Bet him to triumph at +600 and +150 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Martin Truex Jr. (+600)
Truex, fresh at Joe Gibbs Racing this season, hasn’t forgotten how things ended last year with Logano and may have revenge on his thoughts.
The 2017 series champion hasn’t won a brief track race in his Cup career but has been at the top-five the previous three Martinsville outings. Bet Truex Jr. to succeed at +600 and +150 to finish 1st-3rd with SugarHouse.
Clint Bowyer (+1000)
He finished a lengthy drought in last spring’s Martinsville race when he dominated by leading 215 laps and took the checkered flag.
Bowyer has struggled early this season but is considered one of the very best short-track racers in the series as he proved again 1 year ago. Bet Bowyer to triumph at +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 in regional racing at the track before he migrated to NASCAR’s top level.
He is a five-time Martinsville winner and snuck around the Logano vs. Truex final-lap dust-up last November to finish se cond. Bet Hamlin to win +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 final round failed to find an official lap on the board. The dozen all waited until the very last second to benefit from the higher speeds in the draft and miscalculated.
That won’t happen this week at Martinsville given the layout and the lack of drafting. Qualifying and receiving a high starting spot might be the most crucial 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, especially during long green-flag runs, monitor position is essential. A total of 65 Cup race winners have come from the first four starting places.
Pit stops and pit booth placement can also be crucial. Search for teams close to the front five or four stalls, permitting easy accessibility to get back on the right track in tight quarters, to have an advantage.
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