There will be no talk of rules package, changes, horsepower or drafting in this week’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
The smallest track on the NASCAR schedule at just 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 track. But patience and a cool head during a 500-lap, nearly four-hour grind is also paramount to win the race or complete nicely.
For people who enjoy NASCAR gambling, here are six drivers to consider financing in Sunday’s STP 500.
Kyle Busch (+200)
It’s probably going to be some time before Busch is not considered a favorite at any course on the Cup circuit. He is off to a red-hot start and 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 such as wins in the 2016 spring race and 2017 autumn race. Bet Busch to acquire +200 and -200 to finish 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 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 win +500 and +125 to complete 1st-3rd with 888Sport at New Jersey.
Joey Logano (+600)
Martinsville was a controversial location 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.
But Logano is also among the strongest drivers in the track and has directed 825 laps in its past 10 races (second most) for example 309 before the field last fall. Bet him to win at +600 and +150 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Martin Truex Jr. (+600)
Truex, new at Joe Gibbs Racing this season, has not forgotten how things ended last year with Logano and may have revenge in his thoughts.
The 2017 series champion has never won a short track race in his Cup career but has been at the top-five the last three Martinsville outings. Bet Truex Jr. to succeed +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 year but is considered among the very best short-track racers in the series as he proved again one year ago. Bet Bowyer to triumph at +1000 and +250 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport.
Denny Hamlin (+1000)
The Virginia native considers Martinsville a home monitor and had thousands of laps under his belt in 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 triumph +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 into the final round failed to find an official lap on the board. The dozen waited until the very last minute to take advantage of the higher rates 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 top starting place may be the most critical part of the weekend.
A whopping 21 drivers have won from the pole during Martinsville’s long history. Given that the tight quarters and problem passing, particularly during long green-flag runs, track position is essential. A total of 65 Cup race winners have come from the first four starting places.
Pit stops and pit booth placement is also crucial. Search for teams close to 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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