There will not be any talk of rules package, 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 close contest just due to its quarters.
Drivers require a certain skill set to be successful at the historic path. But patience and a cool head through a 500-lap, almost four-hour grind is also paramount to win the race or complete nicely.
For those who like NASCAR betting, here are six motorists to consider backing in Sunday’s STP 500.
Kyle Busch (+200)
It’s probably going to be a while before Busch isn’t considered 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 Automobile Club Speedway success a week back was his 200th career NASCAR national series win. Busch has a series of seven straight Martinsville top-10 finishes such as 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 from the top-10 seven from the past eight Martinsville races and won there at the 2017 spring race.
In the past 10 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 at New Jersey.
Joey Logano (+600)
Martinsville was a controversial location for Logano over the years, including 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 one of the strongest drivers at the track, and it has led 825 laps in its past 10 races (second most) for example 309 before 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, hasn’t forgotten how things ended last year with Logano and might have revenge in his thoughts.
The 2017 series winner hasn’t won a short track race in his Cup career but has been at 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 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 believes Martinsville a home monitor and had tens of 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 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 that advanced to the last round failed to get an official lap on the board. The dozen waited till the very last minute to benefit from the higher rates from the draft and miscalculated.
That won’t happen this week at Martinsville given the layout and the lack of drafting. Qualifying and getting a high starting place may be the most crucial part of the weekend.
A whopping 21 drivers have won from the pole throughout Martinsville’s long history. Given that the tight quarters and problem passing, particularly during long green-flag runs, track position is key. A total of 65 Cup race champions have come from the first four starting spots.
Pit stops and pit booth placement is also crucial. Look for teams close to the front four or five stalls, allowing easy accessibility to get back on track in tight quarters, to have an advantage.
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