The Cup Series will travel back to Martinsville Raceway this weekend for the last race in the Round of 8. This track is notorious for producing a lot of drama in the final laps. There is a lot on the line for the six drivers who still need to secure a spot into the championship four. I am sure most of them will do whatever it takes to advance following the race at Martinsville. It should be fun to see how it all plays out. The Xfinity 500 can be seen Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.
DRAFTKINGS ODDS MARTINSVILLE
* The odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook. The odds could change between the time of this article and the time you place your bet.
BETTING STRATEGY FOR MARTINSVILLE
The playoff drivers are highly favored to win the race Sunday at Martinsville. It is going to be tough to beat the drivers who are still racing for a championship, so their odds are justified. Both playoff races in the Gen-7 car at Martinsville have been won by playoff drivers (Ryan Blaney in 2023) and (Christopher Bell in 2022). I know we are not going to win a lot of cash by betting on the favorites Sunday, but I just cannot leave them off of my card. I am going to bet and three of the playoff drivers and two long-shots that I think can find a way to Victory Lane at Martinsville.
BETTING CARD FOR MARTINSVILLE
DENNY HAMLIN (+400): I had to decide if I want to put my money behind Kyle Larson or Denny Hamlin this week. I did not want both drivers at 4-1 odds on my card because I would have had to spend too much of my bankroll on them in order to return a profit. I decided to go with Hamlin because of the tire Goodyear is bringing to the track. It is the softest tire they have ever used at Martinsville. It is similar to what NASCAR used at Bristol in the spring. Hamlin was the first driver to figure out the tire at Bristol and his knowledge of Martinsville, combined with his ability to maintain speed with a softer tire should give Hamlin an advantage this week. I just hope his pit crew doesn’t screw it up.
CHASE ELLIOTT (+800): Elliott is my pick to win right now. He had the best car at Martinsville in the spring and he should be fast again Sunday. Elliott won this race in 2021 and he finished 3rd at Martinsville in April. He has a history of running well at this track and he has also been really good in the races where the softer tire has been used this year. I will take a chance with Elliott at 8-1 odds Sunday.
CHRISTOPHER BELL (+1000): Bell often gets overlooked when the Cup Series races at Martinsville. That explains why his odds are at 10-1 and now lower, like the other playoff drivers. Bell is 29 points above the cut line, so he could point his way to the championship four. I still think the No. 20 team will go after the win if it is available Sunday. Bell won the playoff race at Martinsville in the Gen-7 car in 2022. I see no reason why he cannot do it again this weekend.
BRAD KESELOWSKI (+3000): Keselowski is not on my card because of how he has ran at Martinsville in the Gen-7 car. He has not been very good. His average finishing position is 26.8. This new tire that will be used this week is a game-changer and it plays right into the hands of Keselowski. He was one of the best drivers in the field at Bristol on a similar softer tire. His ability to manage his tires over a long-run should make Keselowski a good bet this week. He has finished numerous races at Martinsville in the top-three. I am sure Keselowski still has the skills to win a race at this track. 30-1 odds are just too good to pass up.
ALEX BOWMAN (+3500): Hendrick Motorsports dominated the spring race at Martinsville. They led 263 of the 400 laps and all of their drivers finished in the top-10. That includes an 8th place finish by Bowman. The No. 48 team has the fourth-best average finishing position in the playoffs this year. So, how does Bowman perform on the softer tire? He finished 4th at Bristol on a similar tire earlier this year. Bowman won at Martinsville in 2021. I will bet he can do it again Sunday.
Good luck Sunday!
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