Week 8: Martinsville Night Race
Welcome back gamblers and race fans! Nothing gets my blood pumping like a weekend of short track racing under the lights. Martinsville is my favorite track on the NASCAR circuit. I basically grew up at this track throughout the 90's and it holds a special place in my heart. Lets see if that connection can win us all some money this week. Either way I am anxious as always to see sparks fly and bumpers bent in Southern Virginia this weekend.
The dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway let a lot to be desired as far as my bets went. Three of my picks got taken out in the same incident and they were all looking very fast. As far as the race went, it was okay. It was a little bit long, and we learned that they can't race on the track if there is any moisture in the clay. Other than that, it was really fun to watch, and I think we will see some major improvements for that race in 2022.
Who Am I Betting?
Martinsville is a blast to watch. The drivers will be playing bumper tag all night, and fighting for every inch on the race track. Winning a Grandfather clock (Martinsville's prestigious trophy) takes a driver with a mixed bag of tricks. The winner of tomorrow's race will run consistent lap times all night, stay out of trouble, make big moves at the right time, and save enough tire to be there at the end. With that being said, a driver could do everything perfect, and then a caution could come out at the end of the race. When that happens, all bets are off. Hopefully not mine though, it's time for my shitty luck to turn around. Lets go.
These two guys gave us a hell of a show back in 2017. Chase Elliott +600 and Denny Hamlin +700 are two really good picks for tomorrow night's race at the half-mile "Paperclip". Back in 2017, Chase, NASCAR's most popular driver, was on the verge of winning his way into the next round of the playoffs when Hamlin "Wheel Hopped" and took the crowd favorite out of contention in the final laps. Afterward, following a small altercation on pit road, the crowd cheered as Elliott solidified himself as the fan favorite, and Denny raised his stake as one of the most hated drivers in the cup series. Fireworks.
Putting all drama aside, look for these two to run up front for most of the night, and be aggressive at the right time to make a push for a much needed win. Chase Elliott is always tough on this track, and he's good on short tracks no matter which one it is. Denny Hamlin hasn't won at Martinsville in a while, but this is one of his home tracks and his experience should give him one hell of a chance Saturday night.
Mr. Ryan Blaney +800 (as my son calls him) is my favorite of my three main picks this weekend. There isn't much to say other than he absolutely loves this track. Blaney has finished 2nd in the last two races here, and he has finished in the top 5 of the last four. YRB knows how to finish at this track and his patience and smooth driving has paid off immensely in his career here. Lets hope tomorrow night he can add a little bit of aggression to his arsenal and pull out his second win of the year.
Although I had those three as my favorites this week, do not sleep on Martin Truex Jr +500 (he's one 2 of the last 3 at Martinsville), Brad Keselowski +600 (Has Blaney's old crew chief), and Joey Logano +700 (drives and blocks like an asshole). These three will all have very good runs tomorrow night and will also be in contention to finish the race first.
Sprinkle of the Week
This week I didn't really like any of the drivers with really long odds. I just don't see tomorrow's race going that way unless it is rain shortened. My "Sprinkle of the Week" is going to be William Byron +2500. The Hendrick Motorsports Chevys are looking very good this year, and Willie B has put together some decent runs at this race track. He will be top ten for sure, and he might just give himself a chance to win.
I was a little late this week, so I won't be able to give you guys a "Pray for Pay Parlay" considering the only other top tier race of the weekend is running as I write this blog. With that being said, I will be praying for no rain. Mother Nature is going to be a bitch tomorrow night, and I am afraid that they will be running this race on Sunday in the daylight.
Bets of the Week
Chase Elliott +600
Denny Hamlin +700
Ryan Blaney +800
Sprinkle of the Week
William Byron +2500
FanDuel Daily Fantasy
C. Elliott $13,500
B. Keselowski $13,000
K. Larson $11,000
K. Busch $9,000
R. Chastain $3,500
As always, thank you all for reading and betting these races with me. God bless you all, and God bless short track racing!!!!