NASCAR returns to the paperclip this weekend; Martinsville Speedway! This track is always known for some shenanigans and unorthodox ways of winning. Last year it was Ross Chastain’s wall ride to the playoffs. The year before featured a duel between Alex Bowman and Denny Hamlin that fueled a feud that resulted in some t-shirts from Bowman.
It’s NASCAR’s shortest track at just half a mile. Without a whole lot of room to breathe and move around, it’s bound to cause some collisions and if there is any bad blood from last week (looking at you, Kyle Larson and Ryan Preece), it’s bound to come up here.
In this race last April, William Byron took home the victory. Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney, and Chastain rounded out the top five. In this piece, I’ll be giving you five drivers to watch this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, just as I did for Richmond! So, without further delay…
#11 Denny Hamlin
Hamlin has five wins in 34 races here at Martinsville. He’s come oh so close in recent years. This season he hasn’t been quite as sharp. He’s made the headlines for all the wrong reasons with some questionable contact on multiple drivers this season. But Hamlin is due for a victory in his Toyota. Hamlin usually finishes in the top 10 in this race, and I’d probably say he’s likely to do it again this race. I’d keep an eye on him this race, and not just to make sure he doesn’t wreck somebody on purpose again.
#12 Ryan Blaney
Blaney is also usually terrific at this track, also having an average finish inside the top 10 with seven top-five finishes in 14 races. He has yet to win at Martinsville Speedway, but that could all change with some good pit stops (which has been hard to come by for the #12 team this year), and some lucky breaks. I’d suspect that Blaney is the best Ford out this weekend and it wouldn’t shock me if he takes the checkered flag home. He hasn’t won a race in the last two seasons, but Blaney is usually dominant here. I’d say he’s a dark horse selection after the season he’s had so far. But Blaney should be considered a favorite of the Ford drivers.
#19 Martin Truex Jr.
Another driver who’s having a weird season, but Martin Truex Jr is also a solid driver at Martinsville. With three wins of his own from him in his career, the 42-year-old Truex should not be slept on at this track. He’s one of NASCAR’s best drivers when everything is in solid condition, which it hasn’t been this season. At Richmond, he dealt with steering issues all race long. In Bristol though he finished top 10 in the dirt. The #19 is a sleeper pick absolutely and will compete with Hamlin for the top Toyota at the paperclip.
#9 Chase Elliott
I’d be remissed if I didn’t mention Elliott in his return to NASCAR. He’s missed time due to a skiing accident that broke his leg. But he returns, at one of the harder tracks NASCAR has to offer. We’ll see just how recovered Elliott really is as this race will put a whole lot of pressure on that leg with the amount of breaking, he’ll have to do. But Elliott has been nothing short of excellent on this track. Winning once and finishing inside the top 10 nine times in 15 total races. Chase Elliott is one of NASCAR’s most popular and best drivers all around. It’s great to see him back in the driver’s seat, although Josh Berry filled in admirably. He’s a driver to watch simply because he’s returning from injury. But he’s a real threat to take the whole thing as well.
#6 Brad Keselowski
With two wins and 12 top-five finishes in 26 races at Martinsville Speedway, Keselowski is a great sleeper for this track. He also has an average finish just outside the top 10. The #6 Mustang has been sneaky good in 2023. He’s led 98 laps and finished inside the top three several times this season. Almost taking home the win at Atlanta. Keselowski is another driver due for a win and could very well get the job done at one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable courses.
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