Martinsville NASCAR Fantasy Preview
Martinsville
Martinsville is the oldest track on the circuit, but don’t listen to other fantasy racing experts who try the oldest trick in the book and complicate things. Recently I was reading from a book full of quotes. One quote about experts that I ran across said that “Experts are people who wear bow ties who complicate simplicity”. Martinsville is not a tough track at all to prepare for, if of course you know what you’re doing.
Everyone’s heard of the K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid) philosophy so at Martinsville keep it simple for yourself. I honestly believe the only fantasy NASCAR homework that you need to do this week is study the earlier COT races run at Martinsville. That’s it.
There really is no real similar tracks to study unless of course an expert decides to complicate simplicity on you. Martinsville is a unique track. All similar track comparisons are a stretch. Remember fantasy racers to keep it simple this weekend.
The ifantasyrace.com Top 5 drivers of the week are…….
1) Jimmie Johnson– I know this isn’t a unique pick but Johnson is in championship mode. In the COT era at Martinsville Johnson has won 4 out of the 5 races and he has an astounding 1.6 average finish.
2) Jeff Gordon– My pre-chase championship pick is coming on strong and Gordon once owned this track until the Jimmie Johnson era began. In the COT era (5 races) Gordon has 5 top fives, but if qualifying is important to you Gordon’s COT average start is a series best 2.8.
3) Tony Stewart– Stewart’s strength all season long has been on the “skill tracks” and I expect him to continue with that trend at Martinsville. In the spring race Stewart finished 3rd in his first Hendrick affiliated ride at this track. He’ll have all of his main contenders notes and if Stewart is to get back into the championship picture he’ll need the win Sunday.
4) Denny Hamlin– In the COT era only one driver whose name isn’t Jimmie Johnson has won here, and that driver is Denny Hamlin. Hamlin won the spring 2008 race and he was remarkably close to winning the spring 2009 race until Jimmie Johnson made his bonzai move earlier this year for the win.
5) Dale Earnhardt Jr.- I know what you’re saying right now, I’ve got to be kidding you. Well unfortunately I’m not. Junior is having a bad, bad, bad, bad season but you can chalk that up to me picking him for my fantasy team this year. Martinsville is one of Earnhardt’s best tracks and in 2009 the 88’s been one of the better cars in the series on the short tracks. I honestly don’t see him having problems this weekend.
Other drivers to watch………
Jaime McMurray– Roush cars traditionally are weak at Martinsville but for some reason the normally weak McMurray didn’t get the memo. He’ll be Roush’s best bet this weekend at Martinsville.
Ryan Newman– Newman struggled early in his career at Martinsville but like his teammate (Tony Stewart) Newman makes the majority of his points on the “skill tracks” so you should look for this team to accomplish something this weekend.
Clint Bowyer- Bowyer is a short track ace and at Martinsville you shouldn’t expect anything less then that.
Things that are important when you select drivers for Lowes (everything is based on a ten scale of hearts. 10 being the most important).
Qualifying ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Happy Hour ♥♥♥♥♥♥
Recent Performances on similar tracks ♥♥♥
What happened the last time they raced at Martinsville ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Track History ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
