Martinsville Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Alex Bowman
Martinsville Fantasy Spin – Alex Bowman has been a strong performer at “The Paper Clip.” Bowman raced his way to victory lane in fall 2021 and since 2020 minus the two races he’s been involved in an accident, his average finish is 7.2 and he’s had a result in the top 12 every race. Heading into the weekend, I would view Bowman as a risky top ten contender.
Martinsville Track History – Alex Bowman has been strong at Martinsville. Last fall, Bowman finished a clunker 32nd. I’ll note, Bowman didn’t look good, but he also wasn’t quite as bad as his result. On lap 105 while running in 24th and about to get lapped, Alex Bowman was spun by Austin Dillon. The #48 had a good amount of damage which doomed him to his poor finish. In spring 2023, Bowman started 23rd, had a 12.3 average running position and then finished 11th. In terms of speed stats, Bowman ranked 7th for Green Flag Speed and Total Speed Rankings. In fall 2022, Bowman missed the race due to his concussion. In spring 2022, Bowman didn’t have one of his better recent races, but he wasn’t bad. In the race, Bowman finished 12th, had a 14.2 average running position and had the 15th best Total Speed Ranking. In fall 2021, Bowman had a great performance and raced his way to victory lane. In the race, Bowman finished 8th in Stage #1, 2nd in Stage #2, led 9 laps, had a 5.1 average running position and earned the best driver rating. Bowman did spin out Hamlin at the end, but he was also faster at the time. In terms of speed analytics, Bowman had the 2nd best Total Speed Ranking, the 2nd best Green Flag Speed and he was the Fastest Driver Late In A Run.

Chase Briscoe
Martinsville Fantasy Spin – At Martinsville, Chase Briscoe is a great mid-tier pick. In the Next Gen, Briscoe’s 4 for 4 at finishing in the top ten and his 7.0 combined average finish is tied for being the 3rd best. Additionally in the Next Gen, Briscoe has the 4th best Driver Rating, the 4th best average running position (9.2) and his Next Gen Speed Ranking ranks as the 5th best. On Sunday, look for Briscoe to potentially compete for a top ten.
Martinsville Track History – As you just read, Chase Briscoe has been stout in the Next Gen. Last year, the #14 was especially stout and Briscoe swept the top five, with a 4.5 average finish for the season. Last fall, Briscoe had a strong showing. In the race, Briscoe finished 4th, had a 6.4 average running position and had the 3rd best Speed Ranking. In spring 2023, Briscoe was one of the best. In the race, Briscoe started 4th, finished 5th in Stage #1, finished 2nd in Stage #2, had a race best 4.8 average running position, led the 2nd most laps (109), had the best driver rating and then finished 5th. In terms of speed stats, Briscoe had the 3rd best Green Flag Speed and ranked 4th for Total Speed Rankings. In 2022, Briscoe had strong showings of 10th (fall) and 9th (spring).

Kyle Busch
Martinsville Fantasy Spin – Kyle Busch is a historically elite performer at Martinsville and on Sunday, I would view him as a super risky top ten contender who has a pretty good chance to burn you. So far in 2024 outside of superspeedways and road courses, he’s 4 for 4 at finishing in the 20’s. At “The Paper Clip”, Busch is a two-time winner and in 12 of the last 17 races, he’s finished in the top ten. In 9 of those, Busch finished in the top five. That said, Busch has sort of fallen on hard times and over the last three races here he’s finished 21st or worse so he’s certainly not a sure thing.
Martinsville Track History – Kyle Busch has been one of the best at Martinsville so don’t let his last three clunker results completely scare you away. Last fall, Busch didn’t look good and finished 27th. In the race, Busch started 31st, finished around 27th in Stage #1 but then when Stage #2 was going green, Busch came back to pit road since he had a flat tire during the Stage caution. After that, you could stick a fork in him. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Busch ranked 26th. Last spring, Busch finished 21st and had a 23rd place average running position. It wasn’t a pretty race for him, and I’ll note he was also caught speeding on pit road during the Stage #1 caution, but he was in 21st at that time. In terms of speed stats, Busch ranked 25th for Green Flag Speed and 26th for Total Speed Rankings. In fall 2022 late in his #18 tenure, the #18 team mailed it in and ran like complete junk en route to his 29th place finish. In the four Martinsville races prior to that, Busch was tied for having the 2nd best average finish (7.0) and he’s one of just two drivers who were 4 for 4 at finishing in the top ten. In spring 2022, Busch had a solid showing. In the race Busch finished 7th, had a 12.4 average running position and had the 13th best Total Speed Ranking. I’ll note, over the last 100 laps he was at his best and had the 5th fastest car on the track.

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