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We are headed to Martinsville! My all-time favorite racetrack , I absolutely love attending races here. In my opinion it a must visit on every fan bucket list. This short track is like an additional wildcard race. An encore race to Talladega. If you ask me , I think we are due for some craziness (since Talladega didn't quite deliever.)
1-Jamie Mac: Most people don't understand how good Jamie is here. His record doesn't even come close to measuring how good he truly is here. Over the past 5 races here , JMac have compiled 19.2 average finish , 2 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 0 laps led and 82.7 driver rating. JMac been very strong during the chase so far. His 16.3 average finish is very misleading. He was a top 10 guy in every race. Bad luck been his biggest rivalry.
2-Brad Keselowski: Hate all you want ,but this guy never gives up and Team Penske been unbelievable in the chase. Winning 4 of 6 races (5 of the last 7 including RIR) , that's impressive folks. Martinsville isn't the ideal spot to use him , but he should be fast nevertheless. Over the past 5 races here , BK have compiled an 12.6 average finish , 1 Top 5 , 4 Top 10s , 10 laps led , and 90.8 driver rating. So far in the chase , Keselowski have an 10.5 average finish (2 wins , 3 Top 5s , and 4 Top 10s.)
3-Austin Dillon: Dillon in my opinion doesn't overall excel at short tracks , but bring consistency. Larger/faster tracks like Michigan , Pocono , Kansas , Charlotte, Kentucky , etc Dillon seems to bring more upside and potential (along with consistency) , just a thought. Anyhow I like Dillon to be an top 20 option.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick have had a nice chase so far and I expect it to continue at Martinsville. Harvick Martinsville's record is a bit inconsistent , but that haven't stopped in the past from being a serious threat. Over the past 5 races here , KH have compiled 15.4 average finish , 2 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 22 laps led and 90.0 driver rating. He finished 7th earlier this season here. Also done very well at Phoenix (won) and had top 5 cars at RIR (twice) , but got misleading finishes. Harvick have an 7.2 average finish in the chase. Including an 1 win , 3 Top 5s and 4 Top 10s.
5-Kasey Kahne: I brought an cake with Kasey Kahne on it and I have a fork in my hand. What my point? I am sticking a folk in the Kahne train..and I gonna repeatedly do that until there no more cake left. Because he toasted. Avoid him with great measures.
10-Danica Patrick: Patrick keeps on improving and keeps on earning the fantasy nascar community respect and trust. She consistency finishing inside the top 20 week in and week out. Martinsville is one of her best tracks (excluding her poor performance earlier this season.) Yes all coming from the guy who said , "I would rather set myself on fire then start Danica again!" On side note , Did I ever apologize for that?
11-Denny Hamlin: Martinsville was once Denny's best track , but that was then and this now. Hamlin probably an top 10 guy , but just good enough. His days of dominating here are over temporary. Over the past 4 races here , DH have compiled 16.2 average finish , 2 Top 10s , 3 Top 20s , 57 laps led and 96.9 driver rating. Hamlin been at best average at flat tracks in 2014. In the chase, Hamlin have an 14.8 average finish so far.
16-Greg Biffle: RFR cars are like women. They are confusing , complicated and know how to piss me off. Seriously the Biff is bad news. He was even un-competitive at Talladega and Kansas (two great tracks) , so Martinsville unlikely to change that. Their flat track program have slowly faded to at best average. There better choices then the Biff. Including his teammate Edwards.
18-Kyle Busch: Wow I didn't see that coming! But unfortunately my boy Kyle Busch was eliminated from the championship hunt. That frustrating and I have a feeling we gonna see the same frustrating from Kyle in the weeks to come. He will be a hand-full likely. Martinsville is a questionable track for KB. Over the past 5 races here , KB have compiled 14.4 average finish , 2 Top 5s , 2 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 90 laps led and 96.9 driver rating. So far in the chase , KB have an 12.2 average with 5 Top 10s.
20-Matt Kenseth: Kenseth been consistent all season long , but I am not in love with Kenseth at Martinsville. He been inconsistent at flats in 2014 and have a spotty record at Mville. Over the past 5 races here , MK have compiled 8.0 average finish , 2 Top 5s , 3 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s , 336 laps led and 102.3 driver rating. He an top 10 option , but that it. In 29 career starts , MK only have 4 Top 5s and 10 Top 10s.
22-Joey Logano: Logano been a top 5 machine in the chase! Expect that to continue at Martinsville. Earlier this year , he scored an top 5. Over the past 5 races here , JoLo have compiled 16.0 average finish , 1 Top 5 , 1 Top 10 , 3 laps led and 86.5 driver rating. In the chase so far , Logano have an 4.2 average finish with 5 Top 5s.
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon just keep on putting himself in good positions to be a championship contender. He advanced after Talladega (by 2 points) , just crazy to think he the last HMS car remaining. But he been the most consistent one too. I will admit Gordon have earned my full respect and then some. Now he comes to one of his best tracks. Gordon will go down as one of best ever to race at Martinsville. 20 Years from now , people will look back and be amazed on how great Gordon truly was here. I don't need to ramble off stats ,he's an 8 time winner and defending race winner. Nuff said.
27-Paul Menard: Menard is done (as a fantasy option) , he more unstable then the people who work for the post office. No disrespect..to people who work there. Anyhow my point being , Menard shouldn't be trusted. There better choices for your lineups.
31-Ryan Newman: Newman made it to the final 8 , hello Mr. Dark horse! Newman have consistency finished well this season and it clearly have paid off. Over the past 5 races here , Newman have compiled 20.2 average finish , 1 win , 1 Top 5 , 1 Top 10 , 3 Top 20s , 12 laps led and 80.5 driver rating. He was running well earlier this season until an flat tire or something ruined his day.
42-Kyle Larson: Larson haven't been overly impressive stat wise at Martinsville or any of the flat short tracks , but Larson more upside at the faster worn out tracks anyhow (like Texas and Atlanta.) Expect least an top 15 , if not more. I think he wins at Texas if you're trying to figure out where to use your final start (in yahoo.)
48-Jimmie Johnson: He may be eliminated from the championship , but don't think Johnson and gang won't be gunning for a win at Martinsville. I can confidently say , I would bet the 48 makes the field pay on Sunday. You can poke the bear , but don't wake him. He awake and hungry. Over the past 5 races here , JJ have compiled 4.2 average finish , 2 wins , 4 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 5 top 20s , 1070 laps led and 1332 laps led. Nuff said he the best in the business here.
88-Dale Jr: Dale been eliminated from championship contention , but I still don't think they're done. Dale will try his hardest to finish the year out strong for Steve. Over the past 5 races here , 11.8 average finish , 2 Top 5s , 3 Top 10s , 3 Top 20s , 28 laps led and 102.3 driver rating. I hope the 88 wins least one more time , just because Steve is such a humble and nice guy.
99-Carl Edwards: Edwards..Edwards! I really don't know weather to roster him or keep on avoiding him. Part of me want him to keep doing well. The other half me is like , "he will screw up like usual." Going by past history , Edwards will be an top 15 option with potential upside to finish inside the top 10 at Martinsville. Over the past 5 races here ,Edwards have an 13.8 average finish. With an best of 11th and worst of 18th.
**All stats from Driver Average and Racing Reference
Also check out Nascar Behind The Wall . Great Blog. Great stuff. Great everything.
Twitter - @JeffNathans
