Martinsville Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Kyle Busch – Kyle Busch is a super-elite performer at Martinsville who’ll be tough to beat. Over the last eight races at this half-mile oval he has 2 wins, a 2.9 average finish, a 4.3 average running position, the best driver rating, he’s averaged leading 117 laps per race and he’s finished in the top five every race. At Martinsville as races go on, Busch seems to get better and better. Earlier this year at Martinsville, Busch was strong. He finished 3rd, earned the 4th best driver rating and had a 7th place average running position. Compared to his other previous races, he was just a little off. Last fall at Martinsville, he was fast. He started on the pole, finished 4th, had a 3rd place average running position, led 100 laps and finished 3rd in both Stage #1 and #2. In spring 2018 he had a great car. He finished 2nd, earned the 2nd best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position, finished 4th in Stage #1 and 3rd in Stage #2. In fall 2017, Busch had a phenomenal performance and raced his way to victory lane. In the race he earned the best driver rating, led the most laps (184), had a 3rd place average running position and finished 2nd in both Stage #1 and #2. In spring 2017 he had a great car. He earned the best driver rating, finished 2nd, had a 3rd place average running position and led 274 laps. Additionally, he finished 3rd in Stage #1 and would’ve won Stage #2 if Ricky Stenhouse Jr. didn’t nudge him at the end. In the three Martinsville races prior to that he had results of 5th, 1st and 5th. On Sunday, look for Busch to finish in the top five and compete for the win.

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Chase Elliott – Chase Elliott is primed to compete for the win at Martinsville. It’s been a great track for him and since 2017 minus a misleading result in fall 2017 he has a 5.3 average finish and a 7.8 average running position. Earlier this year at Martinsville, Elliott had a great car and at one point he passed Keselowski who dominated under green. When the checkered flag waved he finished 2nd, earned the 2nd best driver rating, had a 2nd place average running position and led the 2nd most laps (49). I will note he edged Keselowski for the most fastest laps (82). Last year he had a solid season and was one of six drivers who swept the top ten. Last fall, Elliott had a good performance. He finished 7th, earned the 7th best driver rating and had a 10th place average running position. Additionally, he finished 7th in Stage #2. In spring 2018, he really didn’t have that great of a race but finished 9th. From the race it should be noted he had a 16th place average running position and earned the 16th best driver rating. In fall 2017, Elliott led 123 laps and was top five good, but was wrecked while battling for the lead late. In spring 2017 he finished 3rd.

Denny Hamlin – Denny Hamlin will be a favorite at Martinsville. It’s been a great track for him and he’s one of the best short track racers in NASCAR. This year at short tracks he’s a perfect 5 for 5 in terms of finishing in the top five and his average finish is 3.8. I’m not saying Bristol is comparative to Martinsville by any means, but it takes a certain mindset to be successful on this track type. At Martinsville, Hamlin is a five-time winner who’s finished in the top five 52% percent of the time and in the top ten 74% percent of the time. Over the last four combined Martinsville races, Hamlin has a 6.5 average finish and a 6.8 average running position. This spring at Martinsville, Hamlin had a strong showing. He started 5th, finished 5th, had a 7th place average running position, finished 4th in Stage #1 and 3rd in Stage #2. I’ll note his result is a little more impressive when you take into account he was caught speeding during the Stage #2 caution. Last fall, Hamlin had a strong showing and finished 2nd. In the race he won Stage #1, finished 2nd in Stage #2, earned the 2nd best driver rating and had a 3rd place average running position. In spring 2018 he had a strong car but finished a misleading 12th. “Performance Wise”, I thought he was a top five contender but during a caution with about 115 laps to go he pitted twice to repair damage to his nose which dropped him from 5th to 16th. In the race it should be noted he earned the 4th best driver rating, had a 6th place average running position, led 111 laps, won Stage #1 and finished 5th in Stage #2. In fall 2017 he nearly raced his way to victory lane and was the leader at the time of the final restart, but ended up finishing 7th after a final wild restart. On Sunday, look for Hamlin to compete for a top five and be a factor to win.

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Top Tier Elite Picks > Front Runners Rankings > Mid Pack Predictions > The Low Tier