Goody’s Fast Relief 500 Preview

NASCAR heads to Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA this week for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500.  The track is just a little over a ½ mile oval with 800 feet on the frontstretch and 800 feet on the backstretch. 

Let’s hope we are looking at good weather this week, unlike last week where the race only went 129 laps.  Last year’s winner was Kevin Harvick, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the runner up. 

Tony Stewart got the win in Fontana last week after outmaneuvering Kyle Busch, who had led for the bulk of the race.  Busch ended up hanging on to 2^nd and Jr. was 3^rd.  Stewart’s 2^nd win of the season moved him up to 4^th place in the points’ standings. 

Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin are favorites in the race at +500.  Johnson races well at Martinsville Speedway.  He has won 5 of the last 10 races on the track.  In all he has won 6 times and has been the runner up 3 times.  In 20 races he has an average finish of 5.45, which makes it safe to say he is comfortable in Virginia.  Hamlin likes this track as well.  He has 5 wins and has finished in the top ten 15 times.  His average finish is 6.462 and he has only finished out of the top 10 twice in his 13 starts.

Just behind is Kyle Busch at +600 and Tony Stewart at +700.  Busch ran well last week and Tony is starting the season much faster than he did last year.  Busch is going to win one any week now and Stewart is a strong possibility on any given Sunday. 

Maybe it is just a sentimental pick, but Dale Jr. at +1500 is definitely worth looking at.  Or at least to consider for a top 3 or top 5 pick.  He is sitting at 3^rd right now in the Cup race and has raced well.  He is going to break that long draught one of these weeks and the potential is there to make some good money.  Good luck and see you in Martinsville this weekend!