The Cup Series had a normal schedule this week at Martinsville. The teams had a 20-minute practice session before they lined up the cars for qualifying. It only takes 20 seconds to turn a lap at Martinsville, so the teams were able to run many laps in practice. The lap times can be misleading though, because traffic is an issue at Martinsville. I like to focus on the long-run speed from practice and the driver’s qualifying position. Track position and pit stall position is huge at this track. We will want the drivers who start up front in our lineups Sunday.
Here is my starting lineup for the Cook Out 400 …
DENNY HAMLIN (9): Hamlin has won three of the last six short track races in the Gen-7 car. It would be four out of seven if you add in the Clash at the Coliseum race. Hamlin hasn’t won at Martinsville since 2015, but he has an average finishing position of 4th, has averaged 132 laps led and scored an average of 17 Stage Points in the last three races at Martinsville. Hamlin is just too good in Virginia to pass up Sunday.
JOEY LOGANO (8): Logano finished 2nd, so I guess his slump may be coming to an end. Martinsville has been one of the best tracks for Logano. He finished 2nd in both spring races at Martinsville in the Gen-7 car. He looks fast again this weekend, so I will go ahead and use Logano as my pick this week.
BUBBA WALLACE (9): Wallace ran well last week and he should be good at Martinsville too. The Toyota’s have dominated the short track races this year and they should do the same Sunday. Wallace finished 11th, 9th and 8th in his last three races at Martinsville. He looks fast again this week. Wallace won a Truck Series race at Martinsville, so he knows his way to Victory Lane at this track. I will take a chance with the No. 23 car Sunday.
CHASE BRISCOE (8): Briscoe should be the best driver in Group C this week. Martinsville is one of the best tracks for Briscoe. He finished 4th, 5th, 9th and 9th in the four races using the Gen-7 car at Martinsville. He also led 109 laps and scored 15 Stage Points in this race last year. The No. 14 car has speed again this week, so I will use Briscoe at one of his best tracks.
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