Martinsville Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Bubba Wallace
Martinsville Fantasy Spin – At Martinsville, I think Bubba Wallace is a low double-digit to mid-teens driver who has a good chance to finish in the top ten. Martinsville has historically been one of his best tracks and prior to 2022, I would argue it’s his best non-superspeedway.
Martinsville Track History – At Martinsville, Bubba Wallace has finished between 11th to 17th in 5 of the last 8 races. Fantasy racing is all about, what have you done lately and last fall, Wallace had his all-time best Martinsville result. In the race, Wallace finished 8th, had the 8th best Total Speed Ranking and had a 12.6 average running position. It was a great race from him. Last spring, Wallace was a mid-teens driver. In the race he finished 16th, had an 18.3 average running position, ranked 9th for speed late in a run and had the 20th best Total Speed Ranking. In fall 2021, Wallace finished 25th, but take note that’s a misleading result. In the race, Wallace had a 16.1 average running position, the 14th best Total Speed Ranking and was running in 12th on lap 430, but then he made an unexpected pit stop for a tire going down which dropped him two laps down and led to his misleading result. In spring 2021, Wallace was a mid-teens performer. In the race he finished 16th and had a 16.2 average running position.

Chase Briscoe
Martinsville Fantasy Spin – Chase Briscoe likely won’t be too high on anybody’s fantasy NASCAR radar at Martinsville, but don’t overlook the driver of the #14. Briscoe ran well in both 2022 races and was one of five drivers who swept the top ten. On Sunday, I’m going to view Briscoe as a teens driver who might just sneak in a top ten.
Martinsville Track History – Chase Briscoe had a great season last year at Martinsville and between the combined events, Briscoe had a 9.0 average finish, a 12.8 average running position and had the 10th best driver rating. Last fall when Briscoe was battling for a berth to the championship #4, he ran a solid race. In the race, Briscoe finished 5th in Stage #1 but then during that Stage caution he was penalized for equipment leaving his pit box. Then in the final Stage, Briscoe battled back and was legitimately up to 9th on lap 458 before the last caution came out. Then Briscoe did a pit strategy play by electing not to pit which got him up to the lead where he paced the field for 25 laps. Briscoe then led up until there was five laps to go, but then he had a rapid free-fall in the running order to his 9th. In the race, Briscoe had an 11.6 average running position, ranked 12th for speed late in a run and had the 13th best Total Speed Ranking. Last spring, Briscoe was solid and finished 9th. In the race, Briscoe had a 14th place average running position, was the 14th fastest driver late in a run and had the 14th best Total Speed Ranking. I’ll note, before the GWC caution came out, he was actually running in 8th. In 2021, Briscoe had results of 22nd and 27th, and he performed just like you would imagine with those finishes.

Kevin Harvick
Martinsville Fantasy Spin – Martinsville hasn’t been a bright spot on the schedule for Kevin Harvick, and I would avoid him this week. At “The Paper Clip” over the last six races, Harvick only has 1 top ten and then in the other five races, he’s finished between 12th to 17th, and I’m sure you’re aiming higher than that. On Sunday, I would view him as a low double-digit performer who might sneak in a top ten.
Martinsville Track History – Kevin Harvick is a strong performer at “The Paper Clip”, but he hasn’t been at his best recently in the results column and in 5 of the last 6 races he’s finished between 12th to 17th. Going back to 2019 minus fall 2020 where he spun out late while trying to spin out Kyle Busch, Harvick has a 11.3 average finish and a 10.6 average running position. Last fall, Harvick had an 11.8 average running position, the 14th best Total Speed Ranking but then finished 16th. Closing out the race, the #4 team just wasn’t at its best. Last spring, Harvick kind of faded down the stretch. In the race he finished 6th in Stage #1, 10th in Stage #2 and then 14th when the checkered flag waved. In the race his average running position was 10.7 and his Total Speed Ranking was the 10th best. His speed over the segments really tells the story and they were 8th, 9th, 12th and then 15th. In 2021, Harvick had results of 9th and 12th.

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