There will be no talk of principles package, changes, 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 intimate contest simply because of its quarters.
Drivers need a certain skill set to succeed in the historic path. But patience and a cool head during a 500-lap, almost four-hour grind can also be paramount to win the race or finish nicely.
For people who like NASCAR gambling, here are six motorists to look at backing in Sunday’s STP 500.
Kyle Busch (+200)
It is probably going to be some time before Busch is not regarded as a favorite at any course on the Cup circuit. He is off to a 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 series of seven consecutive Martinsville top-10 finishes including wins in the 2016 spring race and 2017 fall race. Bet Busch to acquire +200 and -200 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse in New Jersey.
Brad Keselowski (+500)
Keselowski has ended in the top-10 seven out of the past 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 at +500 and +125 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport in New Jersey.
Joey Logano (+600)
Martinsville was a contentious 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.
However, Logano is also among the strongest drivers at the track, and it has directed 825 laps in its previous 10 races (second most) for example 309 ahead of the area last fall. Bet him to win at +600 and +150 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Martin Truex Jr. (+600)
Truex, fresh at Joe Gibbs Racing this season, has not forgotten how things ended last year with Logano and might have revenge on his thoughts.
The 2017 series champion has never won a short track race in his Cup career but has been in the top-five the previous three Martinsville outings. Bet Truex Jr. to win +600 and +150 to finish 1st-3rd with SugarHouse.
Clint Bowyer (+1000)
He finished a long drought in last spring’s Martinsville race when he dominated by top 215 laps and took the checkered flag.
Bowyer has struggled early this season but is considered among the very best short-track racers in the show as he proved again one year ago. Bet Bowyer to triumph at +1000 and +250 to complete 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Denny Hamlin (+1000)
The Virginia native believes Martinsville a home track and had thousands of laps under his belt in regional racing at the track before he migrated to NASCAR’s top level.
He’s a five-time Martinsville winner and snuck around the Logano vs. Truex final-lap dust-up last November to complete se cond. Bet Hamlin to triumph at +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 who advanced to the last round failed to find a formal lap on the plank. The dozen all waited until the very last second to benefit from the higher rates from the draft and miscalculated.
That will not happen this week in Martinsville given the design and the dearth of drafting. Qualifying and getting a top starting spot may be the most crucial region 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 extended green-flag runs, track position is key. A total of 65 Cup race winners have come from the first four starting spots.
Pit stops and pit booth placement is also critical. Look for teams close to the front four or five stalls, permitting easy access to get back on track in tight quarters, to have an edge.
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