There’ll not be any discussion of principles package, changes, horsepower or construction in this week’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
The smallest track on the NASCAR program at only a half-mile produces tight racing and close contest simply because of its quarters.
Drivers need a particular skill set to succeed in the historic path. But patience and a cool head through a 500-lap, almost four-hour mill is also paramount to win the race or finish well.
For people who enjoy NASCAR betting, here are six drivers to look at backing in Sunday’s STP 500.
Kyle Busch (+200)
It is probably going to be some time before Busch isn’t regarded as a favorite 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 Auto Club Speedway victory a week back was his 200th career NASCAR national series win. Busch has a series of seven consecutive Martinsville top-10 finishes such as wins at the 2016 spring race and 2017 autumn race. Bet Busch to acquire at +200 and -200 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse in New Jersey.
Brad Keselowski (+500)
Keselowski has ended from the top-10 seven from the previous eight Martinsville races and won there in the 2017 spring race.
In the past ten races at the course, the Team Penske driver has headed the third-most laps in 427. Bet him to triumph at +500 and +125 to complete 1st-3rd with 888Sport at New Jersey.
Joey Logano (+600)
Martinsville was a contentious place for Logano over time, such as last October when he made contact with Martin Truex Jr. over the previous turn of the final lap to get the lead and the win.
However, Logano is also one of the strongest drivers in the track, and it has led 825 laps in its past 10 races (second most) including 309 before the area last fall. Bet him to triumph +600 and +150 to complete 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Martin Truex Jr. (+600)
Truex, fresh at Joe Gibbs Racing this year, hasn’t forgotten how things ended last year with Logano and may have revenge on his thoughts.
The 2017 series winner hasn’t won a brief track race in his Cup career but was in the top-five the previous 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 leading 215 laps and took the checkered flag.
Bowyer has fought this year but is considered one of the very best short-track racers in the series as he demonstrated again one year ago. Bet Bowyer to win at +1000 and +250 to complete 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Denny Hamlin (+1000)
The Virginia native considers Martinsville a home track and had 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 +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 final round failed to find a formal lap on the board. The dozen waited until the very last minute to benefit from the higher speeds from the draft and miscalculated.
That won’t happen this week in Martinsville given the layout and the dearth of drafting. Qualifying and getting a high starting spot may be the most critical region 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, especially during long green-flag runs, monitor position is essential. A total of 65 Cup race champions have come from the first four starting spots.
Pit stops and pit booth placement can also be critical. Search for teams near the front five or four stalls, allowing easy accessibility to get back on track in tight quarters, to have an advantage.
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