NASCAR
Which Remaining Playoff Driver Has the Best Odds for Martinsville?
Eight drivers enter Martinsville alive in the hunt for the Bill France Cup, but only four will remain after Sunday. 500 laps will determine the final three going to Phoenix Raceway next week challenging for the 2022 NASCAR title. Each driver’s distinct points position will make the Xfinity 500 agenda very easy for some, but also very tricky for others. Let’s take a look at each remaining contender and handicap their chances at a Martinsville victory.
Joey Logano – Advanced
Joey Logano’s No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sunday, October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Ross Chastain: +19
Ross Chastain’s No. 1 WorldWide Express Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sunday, October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Chase Elliott: +11
While Chastain may be trending upwards, regular season champion Chase Elliott cannot say the same. Back-to-back lackluster races at Las Vegas and Homestead only have the 9 eleven points ahead of the cut line. With that being said though, Martinsville has proven to be one of Elliott’s best tracks in recent seasons. Since his fall 2020 win here, Elliott led 289 laps in this race last year, and had 185 circuits paced in the spring. The 9 only needs 45 points to make his third-straight Championship 4 appearance. While far from needing a win to secure a Championship 4 berth, Elliott is perhaps the best-suited Chevrolet to take the Grandfather Clock.
Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Napa Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sunday, October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
William Byron: +5
The April Martinsville winner, William Byron now holds a slim grasp on the final spot to make the Championship 4. Just six months ago at the paperclip, the Hendrick 24 led 212 laps, and was second in both Stages in a near-max points night. Byron will be in a dogfight all race long against Denny Hamlin, trying to out-point the 11. Byron would clinch his way in with 51 points earned on Sunday. Should the 24 be up front to collect more Stage points, he could be facing down his first Championship 4 appearance.
William Byron’s No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sunday, October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Denny Hamlin: -5
Five-time Martinsville winner Denny Hamlin enters this cutoff weekend at fifth in points. Being on the outside of the Championship 4 looking in, Hamlin must be on the offensive to regain lost ground. After a dismal 28th-place result here in April, Hamlin must do far better if he wants any chance at a title next week. All hope is not lost yet for the 11, as erasing his points deficit is very attainable. Should someone below him in points not win, Hamlin simply needs to out-race Byron.
Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Fedex Toyota at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sunday, October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Ryan Blaney: -18
While winless across his career at Martinsville, Ryan Blaney has been close to multiple Grandfather Clocks. The Penske No. 12 driver enters this weekend at sixth in the standings, 18 points below the Championship 4. While not mathematically in a must-win situation, Blaney must treat this weekend as if he has to grab the checkered flag. Out of all winless Martinsville drivers, Blaney may have the best chance at Sunday’s win. The 12 has a ton of laps led at the Virginia track, and two runner-up finishes from 2020. Blaney was also fourth here in April, so he could be in position to better that result.
Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Discount Tire Ford at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sunday, October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Christopher Bell: -33
After lackluster results so far in the Round of 8, Christopher Bell enters Martinsville in a must-win scenario. The paperclip has not particularly been the best venue for Bell in the past, as the 20 was 20th in April. Across five Martinsville Cup starts, Bell only has one top-10. It’s an uphill battle for Bell, as only a Grandfather Clock trophy will keep this Joe Gibbs Racing team alive for the championship. Bell did perform under these win-or-go-home circumstances at the Charlotte Roval. The Oklahoma native will attempt to do that again in a bid for his first Championship 4.
Christopher Bell’s No. 20 DeWalt Toyota at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sunday, October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Chase Briscoe: -44
Last week at Homestead, an early crash and last-place finish sent Chase Briscoe into the worst possible position for Martinsville. Despite a top-five day in Las Vegas, Briscoe is also in a must-win position for Martinsville. The Cinderella story left in the 2022 Playoffs, Briscoe has to score his second win of the year Sunday. If the spring Phoenix winner is to return to the desert as a Championship 4 combatant, it will have to come off the heels of a very timely Martinsville triumph. Briscoe was ninth here in April, so the 14’s chances of an upset are not entirely impossible.
Chase Briscoe’s No. 14 Ford Performance Racing School Ford at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sunday, October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Don’t think that these eight drivers above are the only favorites for Sunday’s Martinsville win. Six of the eight postseason races so far in 2022 have been won by non-Playoff drivers; that streak could very easily extend. Drivers such as Busch, Truex, Keselowski, and Harvick are all still hungry for another victory. The Xfinity 500 is sure to be an exciting and action-packed 500 laps, don’t miss a moment of the final elimination race Sunday on NBC.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images for NASCAR
