NASCAR STP 500 at Martinsville 2019 Odds: 6 Bets to Back

There will be no discussion of principles bundle, modifications, horsepower or construction in this week’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

The smallest track on the NASCAR schedule at only a half-mile produces tight racing and intimate contest simply because of its quarters.

Drivers require a certain skill set to be successful in the historic track. But patience and a cool head during a 500-lap, almost four-hour grind can also be paramount to win the race or finish well.

For people who enjoy NASCAR betting, here are six drivers to look at backing in Sunday’s STP 500.

Kyle Busch (+200)
It’s likely going to be a while before Busch is not regarded as a popular at any course on the Cup circuit. He’s off to some red-hot start, and it has won two races in a row.

His Automobile Club Speedway victory a week back was his 200th career NASCAR national series triumph. Busch has a series of seven straight Martinsville top-10 finishes including wins in the 2016 spring race and 2017 fall race. Bet Busch to acquire +200 and -200 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse at New Jersey.

Brad Keselowski (+500)
Keselowski has ended from the top-10 seven out of the past eight Martinsville races and won there in the 2017 spring race.

In the past 10 races in the course, the Team Penske driver has headed the third-most laps at 427. Bet him to triumph at +500 and +125 to complete 1st-3rd with 888Sport in New Jersey.

Joey Logano (+600)
Martinsville has been a controversial location for Logano over the years, such as last October when he made contact with Martin Truex Jr. over the previous turn of the final lap to get the lead and the win.

But Logano is also one of the strongest drivers in the track and has led 825 laps in its own past 10 races (second most) including 309 ahead of the area last fall. Bet him to win +600 and +150 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport.

Martin Truex Jr. (+600)
Truex, new at Joe Gibbs Racing this season, has not forgotten how things ended last year with Logano and might have revenge in his thoughts.

The 2017 series winner has never won a short track race in his Cup career but was in the top-five the previous three Martinsville outings. Bet Truex Jr. to succeed +600 and +150 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse.

Clint Bowyer (+1000)
He finished a long drought in last spring’s Martinsville race when he dominated by leading 215 laps and took the checkered flag.

Bowyer has fought this season but is considered one of the best short-track racers from the show as he proved again 1 year ago. Bet Bowyer to win at +1000 and +250 to finish 1st-3rd with 888Sport.

Denny Hamlin (+1000)
The Virginia native considers Martinsville a home monitor and had thousands of laps under his belt at regional racing in the track before he migrated to NASCAR’s top level.

He’s a five-time Martinsville winner and snuck across the Logano vs. Truex final-lap dust-up last November to finish se cond. Bet Hamlin to triumph at +1000 and +250 to complete 1st-3rd with SugarHouse.

2019 STP 500 Betting Tip
Last week’s qualifying session was a non-event: 12 drivers who advanced to the last round failed to get an official lap on the board. The dozen waited till the very last second to benefit from the higher rates from the draft and miscalculated.

That won’t happen this week at Martinsville given the layout and the dearth of drafting. Qualifying and receiving a high starting spot may be the most crucial region of the weekend.

A whopping 21 drivers have won from the pole during Martinsville’s lengthy history. Given that the tight quarters and problem passing, particularly during long green-flag runs, track position is essential. A total of 65 Cup race champions have come from the first four starting spots.

Pit stops and pit booth placement can also be crucial. Look for teams close to the front five or four stalls, allowing easy access to get back on track in tight quarters, to have an edge.