Sunday’s Brilliant Pick Kevin Harvick dominated the track in Atlanta on Sunday. Who’s going to take home the next trophy when NASCAR hits the Martinsville Speedway on Wednesday night? It’s the first-ever cup race at night in the 73-year history of Martinsville Speedway—and someone is gonna make history there this week.
Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice guiding you to the Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers drivers for the cup series race this week at Martinsville Speedway: The Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot at winning in Martinsville
Denny Hamlin
Wins at Martinsville: 5
Top 5 finishes: 15
Top 10 finishes: 21
It’s a no-brainer. This is Hamlin’s home track and he’s dominated here since he first laid rubber on the asphalt in 2005. As long as his car is good, he races clean, and no one takes him out, I expect to see the No. 11 in victory lane on Wednesday night.
Kyle Busch
Wins at Martinsville: 2
Top 5 finishes: 16
Top 10 finishes: 17
Though his fans were happy to see him slide into a second-place finish on Sunday, we all know that Rowdy believes that the second-place finisher is only the first-place loser. I do believe that Busch will try his darndest to make history as the first cup winner under the lights on Wednesday.
Martin Truex Jr.
Wins at Martinsville: 1
Top 5 finishes: 6
Top 10 finishes: 12
Yes, I realize that my Brilliant picks are straight-up Gibbs with this final bit of NASCAR fantasy advice, but Truex has really kicked it into high gear at this short track in the last three years or so. He was so close to a win in Atlanta on Sunday that I think he’s gonna come out swinging—against his teammates, even—when the green flag flies tomorrow night.
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks
Ryan Blaney
Wins at Martinsville: 0
Top 5 finishes: 3
Top 10 finishes: 4
Blaney has looked really good this season, despite some of his rough finishes. I’ve been thinking that it’s only a matter of time before this No. 12 team really gives the viewers a grand show, and this could be the place to do it. I’m putting him out there as my Number One NASCAR sleeper pick this week.
Clint Bowyer
Wins at Martinsville: 1
Top 5 finishes: 6
Top 10 finishes: 16
I’d vote Bowyer as the guy I’d most like to have a BBQ with. He’s funny and entertaining, and I would love to see his post-race celebration after a win in Martinsville. It was only two short years ago when he had a victory here (FYI: it was fun to watch), and I won’t be surprised if he finds a way to do it again.
Brad Keselowski
Wins at Martinsville: 2
Top 5 finishes: 9
Top 10 finishes: 14
So Keselowski has finished in the top ten, with two wins, at every race in the last five years here. It’s highly possible, even probable, that he’ll pull off another win this week.
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup this week
Alex Bowman
Wins at Martinsville: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 1
Alex Bowman has run well this season at times with some great stage points to add to his playoff bid. But he hasn’t finished well, or even close to well, in the last five races. And he’s still a bit green to have an amazing show at this short track on Wednesday night. Unless something bizarre happens, don’t expect much from the 88 at Martinsville.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Wins at Martinsville: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 2
Stenhouse has been here 14 times, and these numbers are as good as it gets. Average finish? 27th place. Laps led? None. Take a pass on the 47 this week.
Aric Almirola
Wins at Martinsville: 0
Top 5 finishes: 1
Top 10 finishes: 4
Double-A is having a sad season. He’s had a few good laps and a handful of top-ten finishes, but his last three races have been lousy—even with a bunch of excellent starting positions. This isn’t a great track for him, anyway, so I’d leave him in the pits this week.
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