There will be no discussion of principles bundle, modifications, 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 close contest just due to its quarters.
Drivers need a particular skill set to be successful at the historic track. But patience and a cool head through a 500-lap, nearly four-hour grind can also be paramount to win the race or finish nicely.
For those who like NASCAR gambling, here are six motorists to consider backing in Sunday’s STP 500.
Kyle Busch (+200)
It’s likely going to be a while before Busch is not considered a popular at any course on the Cup circuit. He’s off to some 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 win. Busch has a series of seven consecutive Martinsville top-10 finishes including wins at the 2016 spring race and 2017 fall race. Bet Busch to acquire at +200 and -200 to finish 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 track, the Team Penske driver has led the third-most laps in 427. Bet him to win 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, including last October when he made contact with Martin Truex Jr. over the last turn of the last lap to get the lead and the win.
But Logano is also one of the strongest drivers in the track, and it has led 825 laps in its past 10 races (second most) for example 309 ahead of the area last fall. Bet him to win at +600 and +150 to complete 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 might 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 win at +600 and +150 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse.
Clint Bowyer (+1000)
He finished a lengthy drought in last spring’s Martinsville race when he dominated by top 215 laps and took the checkered flag.
Bowyer has struggled early this year but is considered among the very best short-track racers from the show 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 house track and had 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 across the Logano vs. Truex final-lap dust-up last November to complete se cond. Bet Hamlin to triumph at +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 into the last round failed to find a formal lap on the board. The dozen all waited till the very last minute to benefit from the higher rates in the draft and miscalculated.
That will not happen this week at Martinsville given the design and the lack of drafting. Qualifying and receiving a high starting spot might be the most critical part of the weekend.
A whopping 21 drivers have won from the pole during Martinsville’s long history. Given the tight quarters and difficulty 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 places.
Pit stops and pit stall positioning is also critical. Look for teams close to the front four or five stalls, permitting easy accessibility to get back on track in tight quarters, to have an advantage.
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