Martinsville Tums Fast Relief 500: Fantasy NASCAR “Front Runner” Picks

Clint Bowyer – Bowyer has finished in the top eleven in seven of the last nine Martinsville races. Earlier this year he led 91 laps (18.2% of the race) and finished 9th. After the “Top Tier Elites” I think Bowyer presents a good fantasy alternative. (Yahoo B Driver)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. – In April Dale Earnhardt Jr. almost ended his +1,220 day losing streak. NASCAR’s oldest track is certainly one of his best. Since 2006 Junior has finished in the top ten in 69% percent of the races.  His top five finish ratio is also impressive (top five in 40% of his Martinsville races). This is the only short track on the schedule that Junior hasn’t won at. (Yahoo B Driver)

Jamie McMurray – I don’t normally like McMurray but I’ve liked him for a long time at Martinsville. He’s finished in the top 11 in four out of the last five races. In April he started on the pole, led 31 laps and finished 7th. Back in his Roush days when his teammates struggled he still managed to perform and that’s a true testament about how good he is here. (Yahoo B Driver)

Ryan Newman – Martinsville was once a tough track for Newman but now it’s one of his better tracks. The last two Martinsville races have been tough on Newman but he raced better than where he finished (2010 race 2 Yahoo Chart, 2011 race 1 Yahoo Chart). In the three preceding races Newman finished 4th, 7th and 6th. I’m expecting Newman to finish somewhere between sixth and tenth. (Yahoo B Driver)

Brad Keselowski – Brad may not have the best car at Martinsville but he knows how to get the job done using strategy. Last year at Martinsville Keselowski finished 12th and 10th so he’s got potential. One area of concern about Keselowski is that it seems like it’s been awhile since he’s had a really competitive car and Martinville really hasn’t been that great of a track for Penske racing. Keselowski is the Tim Tebow of NASCAR and one way or another he’ll get the job done. (Yahoo B Driver)

Juan Pablo Montoya – Montoya is a good sleeper pick at Martinsville. He finished 4th earlier this year and he’s only finished outside the top twenty once. His 13.9 average finish ranks the 11th best in the series since 2007. Montoya is a solid low teen driver who has lots of fantasy upside. (Yahoo B Driver)

Tony Stewart – Tony Stewart is a two-time Martinsville winner but he’s far from the top-tier of fantasy options this week. In the last three Martinsville races he’s finished outside the top twenty every race. Another troubling stat about Stewart is that he’s only led 1 lap in the last eight Martinsville races. The spring 2009 race was the last time he’s even finished on the lead lap at Martinsville. (Yahoo A Driver)

Mark Martin – Martin avoided Martinsville during his partial retirement but since he’s been back full-time he’s finished in the top ten in four of five races. In 47 races at NASCAR’s oldest track Martin has two wins and twenty-five top tens. Earlier this year Martin started 4th and finished 8th. (Yahoo B Driver)

Check out these other posts

• Martinsville Tums Fast Relief 500: Fantasy NASCAR “Top Tier Elite” Picks
• Martinsville Tums Fast Relief 500: Fantasy NASCAR “Mid Pack” Picks
• Martinsville Tums Fast Relief 500: Fantasy NASCAR “Back Runner” Picks