Post Practice Fantasy NASCAR Predictions: Martinsville 2- Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 (2013 Chase Race #7)
It’s a chilly weekend in Martinsville this weekend. It’s a track that has left Matt Kenseth feeling a bit cold as well in his career. He’s never won there and if he wants to stay in contention with Jimmie Johnson, he’ll need a big run this weekend. Because we all know Jimmie knows how to get around this place, as he’s won here eight times. If something happens to those two, Kyle Busch is laying in the weeds ready to strike.
The only issues in practice were two spins by Greg Biffle, but he didn’t hit anything. Denny Hamlin is on the Pole and looking to turn his season around at his home track Martinsville.
Recommended Reading: Big Board Speed Chart Cheat Sheet, Happy Hour Speeds, Happy Hour Notes, Practice #2 Speeds, Practice #2 Notes, Martinsville Starting Lineup, Pit Stall Selections
Final Top 15 Ranking For The Hollywood Casino 400:
*Chase drivers marked in red*
11. Kasey Kahne – Starts 25th – Yahoo! A Group
**Risk Factor: High Risk**
The 5 car has been fast since they unloaded. So why do I have him so low you ask? Kasey starts 25th and has had problems making his way to the front even with fast cars when starting this far back. Also, Kahne has had a miserable Chase. He makes for an interesting off-sequence pick this weekend though.
12. Carl Edwards – Starts 14th – Yahoo! B Group
**Risk Factor: Medium Risk**
There’s no secret that this isn’t one of his or Roush’s better tracks. Carl isn’t a threat for the win here usually, but you can count on him to finish top 15 and finish the race most of the time. Edwards was 13th in terms of ten lap average speed in the final practice on Saturday.
13. Martin Truex, Jr. – Starts 15th – Yahoo! B Group
**Risk Factor: High Risk**
Here’s another interesting off-sequence pick for those of you needing to make up some ground. Martin was very happy with the 56 car in practice. Truex has been hit or miss here, but he’s very capable of finishing top 10.
14. Jeff Burton – Starts 22nd – Yahoo! B Group
**Risk Factor: High Risk**
This might appear to be a reach, but this team has been very good on short, flat tracks all year long. Jeff worked hard in practice on making his car comfortable and fast on the long run. That will pay off on Sunday. Burton was 9th in terms of ten lap averages in Happy Hour.
15. Ryan Newman – Starts 17th – Yahoo! B Group
**Risk Factor: Medium Risk**
This has been a typical practice for the 39 team this weekend. Not blazing fast, but pretty good on the long run. Martinsville is a track where you can normally find Ryan near the front when the checkered flag falls. He ranked 8th in ten lap average in Happy Hour.
A Few Words About Other Drivers:
Juan Pablo Montoya has been fast all weekend and is a legitimate top 10 car going in. He missed my top 15 due to his inconsistency and not being in the 42 car next year. I expected a lot more out of his teammate, Jamie McMurray, who just hasn’t shown much speed all weekend. Maybe he’ll migrate to the setup of his teammate. Mark Martin has also shown a bit of speed this week and might be a top 15 car. He’s just been awful with Stewart Haas Racing though. Kurt Busch absolutely hates this place and I wouldn’t take him on a dare. He’s always a candidate to wreck half the field here. Elliot Sadler probably has a top 15 car, but it’s hard to rank him as such with so little experience in the Gen 6 cars. Kyle Larson was fast in his debut in the 51, but I think he’ll have a bit more trouble finding his way to the top at Martinsville.
