Here is my selection of Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for this weekend’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville
Chase Elliott
No one was more chagrined after the No. 5’s win last week than the No. 9. Chase Elliott has battled these past few weeks to get into the final four. If he runs really, really well this week, he can still get in without a win. But a win would make it so much sweeter. He’s been here before and he has some great runs, so let’s see what Chase can do in this elimination race.
Martinsville Wins: 1
Top-5 finishes: 5
Top-10 finishes: 7
Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. sits below the cutoff line as NASCAR enters Martinsville. Though Kansas was a great track for the No. 19 team, things worked out poorly in the end. Luckily, Martinsville is just as good, giving Martin Truex Jr. a last opportunity to get into the finals. It’s win or game over this week, but I think that he can find a way to pull off a spectacular finish if he chooses his steps wisely.
Martinsville Wins: 3
Top-5 finishes: 8
Top-10 finishes: 14
Denny Hamlin
I think that Denny Hamlin quite expected to be cemented in the final round by now. He’s above the cutoff line, though, so it’s highly likely that he’ll finish in the top four and head to Phoenix once again vying for the championship. He has five wins here and a bunch of top-fie, top-10 finishes. I expect the No. 11 to play this one as clean as possible, and in the end, he’ll finish well.
Martinsville Wins: 5
Top-5 finishes: 16
Top-10 finishes: 22
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for the Xfinity 500
William Byron
William Byron has a good opportunity to spoil the fun for playoff drivers this week. I fully expect the No. 24 to make it to this round next season—and so does he. This week, Byron might just show everyone how good he can be at Martinsville in this crazy final playoff race before the championship.
Martinsville Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 3
Kyle Busch
No one will be angrier at being left out of the final round than Kyle Busch. He’s been on high alert for weeks now, and only a win will satisfy. Of course, stage points and a good final position could put him in the driver’s seat—no pun intended—but you can bet he’s going to do his darndest to get that top finish.
Martinsville Wins: 2
Top-5 finishes: 16
Top-10 finishes:19
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney has seen a few good days at Martinsville.I stuck him in as a bold pick, but I don’t know if he can really hold off the likes of Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. I think he’s going to gain enough stage points to get back over the cutoff line and extend his season into the final four, but I don’t know if I expect a straight-up win. But this season, anything can happen.
Martinsville Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 5
Top-10 finishes: 6
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup at Martinsville Speedway
Joey Logano
He’s gonna try, but there’s something strange about Joey Logano this season. He just hasn’t found the consistency he has shown in past seasons. You might be tempted to pick him for the win, and I’m almost tempted to put him there, too. But there’s too much going on outside of Penske to let him slip through to the finals.
Martinsville Wins: 1
Top-5 finishes: 8
Top-10 finishes: 13
Tyler Reddick
It’s a no-go for Reddick this week, but keep an eye on this guy for next season. He has had quite the positive year and he’ll continue to build on that for 2022. But Martinsburg is too full of desperation for a first-time winner.
Martinsville Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 1
Brad Keselowski
I know that Brad Keselowski has a pretty good record at Martinsville, but I just don’t think that’s going to come through this week. Somehow I feel like he has struggled this season, and maybe he’s even preoccupied with his upcoming change as an owner next year. I’d be quite hesitant to put my bet on the No. 2 this week.
Martinsville Wins: 2
Top-5 finishes: 11
Top-10 finishes: 16
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