Martinsville Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

William Byron
Martinsville Fantasy Spin – William Byron is the defending spring winner at Martinsville and on Sunday, I wouldn’t be surprised if the road to victory lane goes thru him once again. The #24 team is clicking off good results and performing at a high-level, and Byron is without question one of the best here. On Sunday, look for Byron to finish in the top five and compete for the win.
Martinsville Track History – At Martinsville, William Byron has performed at an elite level and in 6 of the last 7 races he’s finished in the top 8. Last fall, Byron wasn’t at his best, but he finished 7th. Additionally, Byron had the 15th best Total Speed Ranking and a 16.2 average running position. Before the late caution came out, Byron was running in 11th. In the three Martinsville races prior to that, Byron had the best average finish (3.3), the best average running position (4.6), the 2nd best driver rating and he’s the only driver who was 3 for 3 at finishing in the top 5. Last spring, Byron was the class of the field. In the race he started 5th, finished 2nd in Stage #1, 2nd in Stage #2, led 212 laps, had a 1.7 average running position and then raced his way to victory lane. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Byron ranked #1 and fielded the fastest car in segments 3 and 4. In 2021, Byron had a great season and was one of just two drivers who swept the top five. In fall 2021, Byron finished 4th in Stage #1, 3rd in Stage #2, had a 5.3 average running position and finished 5th when the checkered flag waved. In terms of speed analytics, Byron had the 4th best Green Flag Speed and the 4th best Total Speed Ranking. In spring 2021, Byron was competitive. In the race he finished 6th in Stage #1, 7th in Stage #2, had a 6.8 average running position, had the 5th best Total Speed Ranking and then finished 4th.

Denny Hamlin
Martinsville Fantasy Spin – Denny Hamlin is one of the premiere performers at Martinsville and on Sunday, there’s no question he’ll be tough to beat. Martinsville ranks among his best tracks, and in his career he’s a 5-time winner who’s finished in the top five 50% of the time. After his strong showing at Richmond, I have no doubt he’s primed to be a factor. On Sunday, look for Hamlin to finish in the top five and compete for the win.
Martinsville Track History – Denny Hamlin is a super-elite performer at Martinsville. Hamlin’s had quite a few recent misleading results, but outside of “Night Races”, you could argue he’s been the best “Performance Wise”, despite a couple asterisk mark results. If you’re looking for a dominator at “The Paper Clip”, take note Hamlin’s led +103 laps in 3 of the last 4. Last fall, Hamlin had a stellar showing, but pit stops took him out of contention in the final Stage. In the race, Hamlin won Stage #1, won Stage #2, led 203 laps, had a 3.9 average running position and then finished 5th. In terms of speed analytics, Hamlin had the best Total Speed Ranking and ranked as the Fastest Driver Late In A Run. Last spring, the #11 was junk in the Next Gen’s Martinsville debut and Hamlin finished 28th. In the race, Hamlin got lapped in Stage #1, had a 25.2 average running position and his Total Speed Ranking was the 24th best. I’ll note, Hamlin’s race wasn’t incident free. On lap 312 while he was running around 25th, his car was stalled on pit road and that brought out a caution. In fall 2021, Hamlin started in the rear of the field and nearly raced his way to victory lane until he got spun out at the end while leading which led to his 24th. Also in the race, Hamlin led 103 laps and finished 5th in Stage #2. In terms of speed analytics, Hamlin had the 6th best Total Speed Ranking but take note over the last three segments he had speed rankings of 5th, 3rd and 1st. In spring 2021, Hamlin had a great car, but was outraced right at the very end. In the race he finished 2nd in Stage #1, 2nd in Stage #2, had the best driver rating, the best Total Speed Ranking, led 276 laps and then finished 3rd overall. In terms of speed by segment, Hamlin ranked 1,2,1 and then 2.

Christopher Bell
Martinsville Fantasy Spin – Christopher Bell, last fall’s winner at Martinsville should be on your short list of favorites. Bell’s an elite short track performer and then when you factor in his 2023 form, I would look for Bell to finish in the top five and compete for the win.
Martinsville Track History – At Martinsville, Christopher Bell has run well and is better than his track record. On paper, Bell only has 2 top tens and then in his other four races he’s finished 15th or worse. That said, “Performance Wise” Bell should currently have four straight top tens. Last fall, Bell had a game-7 moment and came up clutch, racing his way to victory lane. In the race, Bell started 20th, finished 7th in Stage #1, 5th in Stage #2, led 150 laps and was also the leader before the late caution which almost cost him the race. Bell drove up thru the field following the late caution, and then took the lead with 5 to go. In terms of speed analytics, Bell ranked 2nd for Total Speed Rankings and Speed Late In A Run. I’ll note over the final two segments, the #20 was the fastest car on the track. Last spring, Bell finished 4th in Stage #1, 9th in Stage #2, had a 9.6 average running position, had the 11th best Total Speed Ranking but finished an asterisk mark 20th. During green flag pit stops around lap 298 while running around 12th, Bell was penalized for his crew going over the wall too soon. In fall 2021, Bell finished 17th, but he performed better than his result. In the race, Bell had the 10th best Green Flag Speed, the 10th best Total Speed Ranking and a 9.3 average running position. Over the last 50 laps, for whatever reason he was mired back in the mid-teens or higher. In spring 2021, Bell finished 7th and had the 10th best Total Speed Ranking.

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