Monster Energy Cup action has been a wild ride so far in 2018. Top ranked Martin Truex Jr. took the checkers last week at California. Kevin Harvick’s three race winning streak was snapped with a 35th place finish. Both Truex and Harvick will be among the motor racing betting favorites on Sunday. Kyle Busch, Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski are among the co-favorites. Jimmie Johnson is catching attention with methodical improvement. Denny Hamlin has been remarkably consistent. Clint Bowyer and Kyle Larson have also impressed. Martinsville beckons in what should be a wild shootout on Sunday.
STP 500 from Martinsville
Date and Time: Sunday, March 25, 2018, 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Location: Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway, Virginia
NASCAR Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click here!
STP 500 TV Coverage: FS1
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is known as “The Paperclip” due to its configuration. Long straightaways and four tight corner turns make for a unique challenge. Asphalt is the surface of the half mile Martinsville track. There is no banking to speak of. Built in 1950 the seating capacity is 55,000. Repeating as Martinsville winner is a motor racing betting long shot. Rusty Wallace was the last man to repeat. He took the checkers four straight years from 1993-1996. Last year Brad Keselowski took the STP 500 checkers. Kyle Busch was the winner in 2016. Denny Hamlin was the 2015 champion.
Important Names to Follow
With his win last week Martin Truex Jr. took first place in the standings. He now has a run of four consecutive top five finishes. Kevin Harvick’s online sportsbook disaster last week dropped him from first to eighth in the race. Kyle Busch has been machine-like as well. His third-place finish last Sunday put him in the second spot in the standings. Busch has finished number three or better in the last three races. Joey Logano has been in the top seven in four of five starts. Denny Hamlin has finished sixth or better four times.
Look at Numbers Before you Bet
Kyle Bush has the hot hand at Martinsville with two wins in his last four starts. All four runs ended with a top five finish. His average finish in those four races was a staggering 2.25. Brad Keselowski has been nearly as dominant at The Paperclip. In four starts he has one win and four top five finishes. With an average finish of 3.00 in those four runs he garners a look.
Long term Jimmie Johnson has flashed a championship pose at Martinsville. Nine wins in 32 races with an average finish of 7.69 is pure dominance. Johnson has 24 top tens in 32 career starts at the short track in Ridgeway. Denny Hamlin also boasts long term success at Martinsville. Taking the checkers five times in 24 starts his average finish is 10.00.
Matchup to Watch
Short track racing makes for a motor racing betting challenge. “Rubbin’ is Racin’” and “Trading Paint” are common phrases at Martinsville. After a terrible start Johnson has improved each week. He finally cracked the top ten last week at California. With his strong record at this track he should bring excellent value. Experience pays at Martinsville like few other tracks. Johnson brings experience and championship pedigree.
STP 500 NASCAR Betting Odds Picks
Few drivers can combine Jimmy Johnson’s record and ability at The Paperclip. In a crowded and skilled field, he rates the best.
STP 500 NASCAR Betting Online Pick: Jimmie Johnson