Martinsville Speedway STP Gas Booster 500

[Old School]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="800"><tbody><tr><td vAlign="top" width="610" align="left"><table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="yspsctnhdln">Martinsville Speedway</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="yspsctbg" height="17"><th class="ysptblhdr borderRight first" colSpan="4" align="left"> Records </th></tr><tr class="ysptblbdr2" height="17"><th class="yspdetailttl first" width="10" align="left"> Date </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Series </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Driver </th><th class="yspdetailttl borderRight last" align="right"> Speed </th></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 9/22/96 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Sprint Cup Race </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jeff Gordon </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 82.00 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/7/13 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Sprint Cup Qualifying </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jimmie Johnson </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 98.400 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 7/22/06 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Nationwide Race </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Kevin Harvick </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 61.00 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 7/22/06 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Nationwide Qualifying </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Clint Bowyer </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 95.951 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 10/18/03 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Camping World Truck Race </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jon Wood </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 72.00 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/6/13 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Camping World Truck Qualifying </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jeb Burton </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 96.666 </td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width="10"><!--gutter--><spacer width="10"></spacer></td><td class="ysprtcol1" vAlign="top" width="180">Sprint Cup Series

<table class="raceModule" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="raceStatus">Today's Race</td><td align="right">Apr 7</td></tr><tr vAlign="top"><td class="raceName" height="32" colSpan="2">STP Gas Booster 500</td></tr><tr><td class="raceSubNav" colSpan="2">Leaderboard | Live Points</td></tr></tbody></table>
Track Facts

<table class="trackFacts" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>
Location: Ridgeway, VA
</td></tr><tr><td>Banking/Turns: Oval</td></tr><tr><td>Distance: 0.53 miles</td></tr><tr><td>Shape: Oval</td></tr><tr><td>
Most Cup Wins (since 1975)
</td></tr><tr><td>

• Jimmie Johnson: 7

</td></tr></tbody></table>

</td></tr><tr><td colSpan="3"> </td></tr><tr><td colSpan="3"><table class="TabBar" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td height="7"><spacer height="1" width="1" type="block"></spacer></td></tr></tbody></table><table class="TabBar" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><table class="TabBar" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0"><tbody><tr><td background="" width="10"><spacer height="1" width="1" type="block"></spacer></td><td class="on" background=""> Sprint Cup </td><td class="yspsctbg" vAlign="top" width="6">

</td><td background=""> Nationwide </td><td background=""> Camping World Truck </td></tr></tbody></table><table class="TabBar" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%" height="5"><tbody><tr><td class="edge" height="5"><spacer height="5"></spacer></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="ysptblbdr2" height="17"><th class="yspdetailttl first" width="10" align="left"> Date </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Race Name </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Pole Winner </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Race Winner </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="right"> Make </th><th class="yspdetailttl last" align="right"> Purse </th></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/1/12 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Goody's Fast Relief 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Kasey Kahne </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Ryan Newman </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Chevrolet </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $5,009,303 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 10/28/12 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> TUMS Fast Relief 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jimmie Johnson </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jimmie Johnson </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Chevrolet </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $4,962,589 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/3/11 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Goody's Fast Relief 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jamie McMurray </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Kevin Harvick </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Chevrolet </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $4,897,916 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 10/30/11 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> TUMS Fast Relief 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Carl Edwards </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Tony Stewart </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Chevrolet </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $4,851,202 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 3/29/10 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Kevin Harvick </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Denny Hamlin </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Toyota </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $4,935,846 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 10/24/10 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> TUMS Fast Relief 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Denny Hamlin </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Denny Hamlin </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Toyota </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $4,886,673 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 3/29/09 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jeff Gordon </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jimmie Johnson </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Chevrolet </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $5,066,999 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 10/25/09 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> TUMS Fast Relief 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Ryan Newman </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Denny Hamlin </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Toyota </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $5,012,362 </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[Old School]

NASCAR Picks for Martinsville

by Brian Polking, Monday, April 1, 2013 7:18:34 PM CDTFFToolbox.com\

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nascar/article.cfm?article_id=158

Track Info:
Length: 0.526 miles
Shape: Oval
Type: Short
Location: Martinsville, Virginia
View Average Finishes



Before we get back into the swing of things with this weekend's race at Martinsville Speedway, let's take minute to recap everything that has gone on with the Denny Hamlin situation. Initial speculation that Elliott Sadler would be one of the subs while Hamlin recovers from his back injury turned out to be completely false. Meanwhile, Mark Martin's move to the No. 11 was chopped down to just this weekend's race thanks to an issue with his Michael Waltrip Racing sponsor Aaron's. The end result is that Brian Vickers will take over as Hamlin's replacement following this weekend's trip to Martinsville with Martin resuming his regularly-scheduled races with MWR.

As for Sunday's race, the half-mile, paperclip-shaped oval that is Martinsville is a throwback to old school racing. The bumping and banging that is a constant at any short track is amplified by the fact that Martinsville's corners have basically zero banking. Meanwhile, the short narrow pit road, makes getting on and off the track nearly as dangerous as the action on it. Track position is crucial at Martinsville, and any pit road penalty or unscheduled stop can drop a driver two laps off the pace or more. From a fantasy standpoint, it is nice that a handful of drivers have been dominant at the track and should be safe options at the top of a lineup. On the flip side, filling out the rest of your roster at a track where a lot can go wrong can be tricky.


1. Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools, Hendrick Motorsports [Yahoo Class A]

His win at Martinsville last fall was the seventh of his career at the track; and in 22 starts, he has piled up 10 top-10s. More importantly, Johnson has 15 top-five finishes to go along with a 5.5 average finish. Throw in a series-leading 122.3 driver rating, and Johnson is a flat out stud at the paperclip-shaped oval.

2. Jeff Gordon, #24 Drive to End Hunger/Axalta, Hendrick Motorsports [Yahoo Class A]

Although he hasn't won at Martinsville since a sweep in 2005, Gordon has remained of the elite options at the track. He has finished in the top five in 13 of his last 16 starts, and in the last 20 races, his 4.9 average finish is the second best in the series. Meanwhile, Gordon's 120.9 driver rating is the second best in the series, and while he might not win Sunday, he is a safe bet to finish near the front.

3. Kyle Busch, #18 Mars Brands/Interstate Batteries, Joe Gibbs Racing [Yahoo Class B]

He has been a little up and down at Martinsville, but when he has been good, he has been great. Busch has four finishes of fourth or better in his last seven starts at the track, including a second-place finish last fall. As well as he has been running the last three weeks, there is a good chance that one of his stellar runs is on tap for Sunday.

4. Brad Keselowski, #2 Miller Lite, Penske Racing [Yahoo Class A]

The trend is pretty obvious with Keselowski at Martinsville. After finishing outside the top 15 in both starts in 2011, he finished in the top 10 in both starts at the track in 2012. Keselowski finished a career-best sixth at Martinsville last fall, and after starting 2013 with a bang, he could improve on that this weekend.

5. Matt Kenseth, #20 Husky/Dollar General, Joe Gibbs Racing [Yahoo Class A]

With finishes of sixth and fourth in the last two spring races at Martinsville, he was already trending up at the track. More importantly, he will be making his first start at Martinsville with Joe Gibbs Racing. As well as the organization has performed at the track, Kenseth should see an instant boost in his numbers.

6. Clint Bowyer, #15 5-Hour Energy, Michael Waltrip Racing [Yahoo Class A]

Bowyer has been his typical solid self at Martinsville, finishing 11th or better in nine of his last 12 starts. More importantly, he was stout at the track in both starts at the track last year in his first season with Michael Waltrip Racing. Bowyer finished 10th and fifth, and it should be more of the same this weekend.

7. Kasey Kahne, #5 Farmers Insurance/Quaker State, Hendrick Motorsports [Yahoo Class A]

If you need proof that an organization can instantly improve a driver's numbers at certain tracks, look no further than Kahne. After managing just two top-10 finishes in his first 17 starts at Martinsville, he finished third at the track last fall in his second start with Hendrick Motorsports. Don't be surprised if he delivers another strong outing this weekend despite a 20.7 average finish.

8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #88 National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew, Hendrick Motorsports [Yahoo Class B]

He has climbed to the top of the point standings thanks to top-10 finishes in every race this year, and Junior could be headed for another one this weekend. After all, he has finished in the top-10 in seven of his last 10 races at Martinsville and has four top-10s in his last five starts. Junior has also finished second and third in his last two spring starts at the track so an elite run isn't out of the question either.

9. Mark Martin, #55 Aaron's Dream Machine, Michael Waltrip Racing [Yahoo Class B]

After conflicting stories and rumors about his status as the replacement for Denny Hamlin, it turns out that Martin's sole start in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 will be this weekend at Martinsville. When he was driving for Hendrick Motorsports from 2009 to 2011, he notched four top-10s in six starts at the track. JGR also has a solid track record at Martinsville, so Martin should be a top-10 option in his one-week stint as Hamlin's substitute.

10. Tony Stewart, #14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1, Stewart-Haas Racing [Yahoo Class A]

Stewart is a three-time winner at Martinsville with his most recent victory coming in the fall of 2011. He also has the fifth-best driver rating at the track and is one of the best flat track racers in the series. The only thing bogging "Smoke" down in the rankings is his terrible start to the 2013 season.

11. Brian Vickers, #55 Aaron's Dream Machine, Michael Waltrip Racing [Yahoo Class B]

He finished eighth at Martinsville last fall during his impressive part-time role with Michael Waltrip Racing. It appears he is picking up where he left off after finishing eighth in his first start with MWR in 2013. Vickers has proven he can consistently finish in the top 10 as long as he has quality equipment, so another solid run should be on tap.

12. Ryan Newman, #39 Quicken Loans/Haas Automation, Stewart-Haas Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Newman is the defending winner of this weekend's race, and while that victory was aided by a late race wreck, he has been solid in all his starts lately. He has finished 11th or better in three straight starts at the track, and since the start of the 2003 season, his 12.2 average finish is the fifth best in the series. Newman should make a solid addition to any fantasy roster this weekend.

 

[Old School]

13. Kevin Harvick, #29 Budweiser/Rheem, Richard Childress Racing [Yahoo Class A]

It is really tough to know what to expect out of Harvick this weekend. After all, he finished 19th and 32nd at the track last year, but in his three starts prior, he finished fourth or better three times and picked up a win. As a result, expecting more than a top-15 finish this weekend could leave you disappointed.

14. Greg Biffle, #16 3M/Bondo, Roush Fenway Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Plain and simple, Martinsville is not one of his better tracks. In his last 20 starts, he has managed just three top-10s to go along with a 21.4 average finish. On the plus side, one of his top-10s came last fall, and he has finished in the top 15 in his last three starts at the track. Biffle still isn't an elite option at Martinsville by any means, but at least he isn't killing fantasy owners either.

15. Carl Edwards, #99 Fastenal/Aflac/UPS/Subway, Roush Fenway Racing [Yahoo Class B]

His 16.1 average finish at Martinsville isn't terrible, but Edwards has never shown a lot of upside at the track. He has managed just one top-five finish in 17 starts and only has five top-10s. Edwards should have a decent showing Sunday, but fantasy owners can get way more bang for their buck by saving him for a later date.

16. Kurt Busch, #78 Furniture Row, Furniture Row Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Although he has gone 14 straight starts at Martinsville without cracking the top 10, Busch could make a nice sleeper pick this weekend. For starters, he finished 15th at the track last fall while driving for Furniture Row Racing. He also brings a little momentum in the race, having finished in the top five at Bristol and Fontana. A top-five finish may be asking a bit much, but another top-15 is certainly possible.

17. Aric Almirola, #43 Smithfield Foods, Richard Petty Motorsports [Yahoo Class B]

I think it is safe to say that Almirola was comfortable at Martinsville with Richard Petty Motorsports. After all, he finished eighth at the track in the spring and followed it up with a fourth-place run in the fall. Inconsistency can still be an issue for Almirola, but he has definite top-10 upside this weekend.

18. Martin Truex, Jr., #56 NAPA Auto Parts, Michael Waltrip Racing [Yahoo Class B]

His career numbers at Martinsville aren't great, but Truex has been better than his 21.5 average finish suggests in recent years. He has finished eighth or better in two of his last three starts at the track, and finished a career-best fifth at Martinsville last spring. Longevity isn't on his side, but owners willing to trust his recent improvements could be rewarded with a top-10.

19. Joey Logano, #22 Shell-Pennzoil, Penske Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Logano definitely has some fantasy value this weekend. He has finished in the top 20 in six of his eight starts at Martinsville; more importantly, he has four top-15s -- including a second-place run. That being said, Logano is also prone to bad outings on a consistent basis, and a short track could be a tough place for a guy that just made a couple more enemies for himself.

20. Jamie McMurray, #1 McDonald's/Cessna, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing [Yahoo Class B]

It has been a mixed bag for McMurray at Martinsville. In his last eight starts at the track, he has finished 11th or better four times; on the flip side, he has finished outside the top 15 in his last three starts. If you want to gamble a bit, McMurray does have a little upside.

21. Jeff Burton, #31 Caterpillar/Cheerios, Richard Childress Racing [Yahoo Class B]

His career numbers at Martinsville are solid, but on the same note, he failed to crack the top 20 in both starts at the track last year for the first time since 2006. Richard Childress Racing as a whole kind of struggled at Martinsville last season, so it is iffy as to whether or not he will rebound this weekend.

22. Juan Montoya, #42 Target, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing [Yahoo Class B]

After opening his Cup career at Martinsville with several strong finishes, Montoya has cooled off considerably lately. He has finished 19th or worse in five of his last six starts at the track and has finished 20th or worse in his last three. Montoya was once worth the risk at Martinsville, but the good hasn't outweighed the bad for several years.

23. Paul Menard, #27 Menards, Richard Childress Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Although he did finish a career-best 12th at Martinsville last fall, Menard's history at the track doesn't bode well. He has gone 11 starts without a top-10 finish and has finished outside the top 20 seven times. Menard has a 22.0 average finish at Martinsville, and fantasy owners shouldn't expect much more than a top-20 this weekend.

24. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., #17 Best Buy/Valvoline/Zest, Roush Fenway Racing [Yahoo Class C]

It will be interesting to see how Stenhouse handles his Martinsville debut. After all, Roush Fenway Racing has never had a ton of success at the track, and the organization has had several successful drivers that have been average at the paperclip. Asking a rookie to break the trend in his first start at the track is asking a lot.

 

[Old School]

25. Marcos Ambrose, #9 Stanley/Dewalt Power Tools, Richard Petty Motorsports [Yahoo Class B]

In eight starts at Martinsville, Ambrose has never finished in the top 10 and has compiled a dismal 22.9 average finish. He does have three top-15 finishes at the track and has had some fast cars, but Ambrose never seems to be able to avoid trouble for the entire 500 laps. There just isn't enough upside with Ambrose to take the risk in most formats.
26. Bobby Labonte, #47 Kingsford/Clorox/Bush's Beans, JTG Daugherty Racing [Yahoo Class B]

After the results he delivered at Martinsville last season, Labonte has to be on the radar as a potential sleeper option this weekend. He finished 17th in the spring event, and he followed it up with a ninth-place run in the fall. Another top-10 could be a bit of a reach, but even a top-20 finish would be useful.

27. Regan Smith, #51 Guy Roofing, Phoenix Racing

He will make his return to the No. 51 Phoenix Racing machine this weekend, and based on his recent results at Martinsville, Smith could make some noise. He has finished 13th and 16th in his last two starts, and the No. 51 team has been a consistent top-20 team this season. Smith could continue the trend Sunday, making him a potentially useful sleeper option for fantasy owners.

28. Casey Mears, #13 GEICO, Germain Racing [Yahoo Class C]

His numbers at Martinsville have been pretty bad lately, but Mears has been a new man in 2013. He has cracked the top 15 in three of his last four starts, and despite his recent struggles at the paperclip, a top-20 finish wouldn't be a shock.

29. David Ragan, #34 CSX Transportation/Peanut Patch, Front Row Motorsports [Yahoo Class C]

Ragan's results at Martinsville were actually on par with those of his big names teammates when he was at Roush Fenway Racing; when he moved teams last year, he still managed to finish inside the top 30 in both starts. Granted, he isn't at the top of the list of sleepers for this weekend's race, but he could slide into the top 25 Sunday.

30. Ken Schrader, #32 Federated Auto Parts, FAS Lane Racing [Yahoo Class C]

The veteran has always liked Martinsville, and even in his later years when he has been driving for weaker teams, he has still managed to finish in the top 30 on a regular basis. In fact, he has cracked the top 25 three times in his last five starts. If he has a decent qualifying effort, he could be a sneaky source for a top-25 finish.

 

[Old School]

http://www.sportsinteraction.com/motor-racing/nascar-betting-lines/

13:00 STP Gas Booster 500
More Betting (19)

• Jimmie Johnson +300
• Jeff Gordon +450
• Kyle Busch +700
• Brad Keselowski +800
• Clint Bowyer +1000
• Kasey Kahne +1000
• Dale Earnhardt Jr +1500
• Matt Kenseth +1500
• Kevin Harvick +1500

• Tony Stewart +2000
• Carl Edwards +2000
• Mark Martin +2500
• Ryan Newman +2500
• Kurt Busch +2500
• Martin Truex Jr +2500
• Brian Vickers +2500
• Greg Biffle +3500
• Field +1200