Posted on
3/26/2008 5:51:32 PM
NASCAR Sports Book Betting Preview – Six Pack
By Dave Golokhov
It’s the sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup race of the season and just the second short track that we’ve seen thus far. Let’s get to the six-pack – although it might be a three-pack the way three main drivers dominate Martinsville:
Jimmie Johnson – In the past four races at Martinsville, Johnson has finished first, first, first and third. In total, he has won four races at Martinsville, which is second-best among the drivers that will be there this weekend. Since his rookie season, Johnson has yet to finish out of the top 10.
Johnson has been struggling this season, though, and he doesn’t head into this race as confident as year’s past. Given his history, you have to factor him into the equation though.
Jeff Gordon – If you don’t like Jimmie Johnson, you should like Jeff Gordon. In the previous paragraph, I mentioned Johnson was the second winningest driver at Martinsville, but Gordon has the most wins among current drivers. Gordon has won seven times and between him and Johnson, they’ve won eight of the last 10 races. Gordon’s never had a DNF here and has led more than twice as many laps as Tony Stewart, who is second behind him.
Gordon has been somewhat quiet this season, though, including a non-descript 11th-place finish in Bristol.
Tony Stewart – Aside from Gordon and Johnson in Sunday’s field, the only guy with more than one win is Tony Stewart. Stewart won in 2000 and 2006 and has finished in the top seven three of the last four times.
Overall Martinsville, he has 10 top-10 finishes, six top-fives and two wins. He finished 14th in Bristol (the last race) and sits in seventh place in the standings.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Although Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t dominated at Martinsville like the above three drivers, he’s a good pick this weekend because he does race well on the short track. His average finish on this track is 14.8, which is sixth-best.
DEI finished fifth at Bristol and has been running better than most people thought he would, given that he’s using Casey Mears old car. He looks like solid pick for this week to at least get in the top five.
Denny Hamlin – Denny Hamlin should get some hometrack advantage this week since he’s from Virginia. He’s a patient, conservative driver but makes more of a concerted effort when he gets on this track. He’s finished sixth, third and second the last three times out on this track.
He’s going to attempt to race NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well this weekend.
Kyle Busch – Kyle Busch, who is also planning to do the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race this weekend, is a good fit for this track. He has three top-five finishes in the last four races at Martinsville.
He currently leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings, mostly because he’s smartened up a bit this year. He’s a physical driver but is now picking his spots instead of just mixing it up at any opportunity. He’s confident right now, which should get him in the top five.
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