Who Will Relish in a Winning Opportunity at Martinsville?

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NASCAR

Stratta’s Six: Who’s Time is it to Find Martinsville Victory Lane?

A track steeped in NASCAR lore and prestige like no other, the stage is set at Martinsville Speedway. The Cook Out 400 marks the first true short track race of the season. Sunday also introduces the new 750-horsepower package to The Paperclip. Martinsville has seen many drivers master its tight confines over the years, but only one can be a Sunday superstar and win the Grandfather clock. Here are a few who could shake up the standings after 400 laps around The Half-Mile of Mayhem.

Denny Hamlin

Defending spring Martinsville winner Denny Hamlin broke an unusually long streak here last year. Although 2025 marked his sixth Martinsville win, it was his first time taking home the Grandfather clock in a decade. To say Hamlin was on rails here 12 months ago would be an understatement–the No. 11 Toyota led 274 laps in one of 2025’s most dominant runs. A year removed and already a winner this season, Hamlin enters Martinsville as another heavy favorite. Gearing up for his 41st start at the Virginia bullring, Hamlin shared some of his favorite Martinsville memories.

“I think there’s a couple,” Hamlin said. “My fondest memory is anytime we get to go there and it’s a long green flag run. But beyond that, the one moment in time was when we pitted with a couple laps to go and had to restart like ninth or something like that or sixth and then with just a couple laps won the race. Lots of cars stayed out, we didn’t. Some cars kind of ricocheted and it worked out perfectly for me at the end. But that was one where I thought it got away from us and then it turned out it didn’t.”

“The other was just I mean every time we went there and I knew that I was going to have to battle Jimmie [Johnson] and Jeff [Gordon]. Like there was a solid five to six year period there where it was just us three. It just did not matter what car or tire or anything. It was going to be the battle amongst us three. And that was just so fun going against like guys that were just legendary there.”

Last fall’s mechanical DNF was Hamlin’s only Martinsville result worse than 11th since 2022. This same seven race stretch has seen the 11 lead 735 circuits, far more than any other driver. Hamlin’s Martinsville experience and confidence both trump the rest of Sunday’s grid. It would not be a shock to see the 11 pace the field again at one of his favorite tracks.

Ryan Blaney

Perhaps the biggest thorn in Hamlin’s side for a calm Sunday drive will be Ryan Blaney. The two-time fall Martinsville winner was one spot away from a three-peat here in October, now eyeing retribution. Blaney has yet to finish any Next Gen Martinsville race worse than 11th, flexing Penske short track prowess. The 12 was a heavy threat here in October’s Playoff race, leading 177 laps after starting 31st. If not for a nudge by William Byron, Blaney could have taken a third-straight checkered flag here. Blaney explained differences that will be seen at Martinsville with increased power for everyone.

Blaney and Hamlin head into this weekend as co-favorites, further showing they’re in a Martinsville league of their own. The 12 has been the class of the field here multiple times before, only being a few steps away from several wins. Already showing his flat track dominance at Phoenix a few weeks ago, Blaney looks primed for another winning chance ahead.

William Byron

The man who beat Blaney to last fall’s Martinsville checkers, William Byron can never be counted out here. Driver 24 boasts a trio of Grandfather Clock trophies, all coming in the last nine races. Leading at least 50 laps in three of his last four trips to Martinsville, Byron seems to have found Hendrick perfection on the half-mile. Still searching for his first win of 2026, Byron and team 24 have Martinsville circled as a possible breakout performance.

“Last weekend’s race was tough, a bit more tough than we expected but I do think we’re making gains with this new Chevrolet body,” Byron said. “I feel like our notebook for Martinsville though is stacked, which is always a good feeling when we show up at a track. Last year’s win was such a statement for this team especially to come in the playoffs. Hopefully we can repeat the past success we’ve had there and keep things moving in the right direction.”

Byron has admittedly been either red hot or ice cold lately at Martinsville. His three Next Gen wins are equaled by three more results 13th or worse. In short, the 24 at Martinsville is a tale of two cities in recent history. Byron will aim to put Hendrick Motorsports back in a very familiar victory lane this weekend.

Bubba Wallace

If anyone has been trending towards a maiden Martinsville triumph it’s Bubba Wallace. Ninth, fourth, and third are the 23’s last three Cook Out 400 finishes, becoming more of a threat with each trip here. Wallace’s Martinsville mastery has been on display for a long time. This was shown with two of his first Truck wins at The Paperclip over a decade ago.

Tyler Reddick has hogged much of the spotlight and attention for 23XI Racing this year with four victories. His teammate, however, has not been that far off and remains off to his hottest start yet. Wallace has four top-10s on this year and is a very stout third in points. Darlington a week ago was the 23’s first hiccup of the year, after being involved in a crash relegating their finish. With no other result worse than 11th this season, it is not unrealistic to expect winning pace from Wallace this weekend.

Brad Keselowski

Coming off a banner day in Darlington, can Brad Keselowski recapture some Martinsville magic? Driver 6 owns two past Grandfather clock trophies, but only one Next Gen top 10 here. All of RFK Racing showed out in Darlington, and Martinsville is an extra special milestone for their leader. Sunday’s green flag will be Cup start number 600 for Keselowski, making him the 35th man to hit this feat. Keselowski hopes to join ‘The King’ Richard Petty as the only man to win his 600th Cup race. BK shared some of the Martinsville knowledge he’s gained over the years.

“Martinsville is the smallest track that we race on full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for points,” Keselowski said. “It’s known as the paperclip because, quite honestly, it looks just like a paperclip from above, but it drives like two drag strips in a Walmart parking lot. You’ve got these really long straightaways and then two very tight corners. You’re super heavy on the brakes and there’s a lot of room for contact because generally there’s one groove around the bottom. There’s no other track like it in the Cup Series and it’s got a set of challenges.”

Now firmly inside the top 10 in points, Keselowski is making his claim for a Chase berth. Martinsville could easily be another prime run ahead for the 6, looking to erase a nearly two year winless streak. Leading nearly 150 laps a week ago, BK hopes to back up that performance at Martinsville.

Chase Elliott

Only a one-time Martinsville winner (2020 fall), Chase Elliott has been in contention for repeat glory. The No. 9 boasts four-straight top fives, and a top 10 in seven of the last eight trips here. In the Next Gen era, Elliott’s led over 550 laps here and has an average finish of 7.3, both some of the best among active drivers. Elliott touched on the special histories that intertwine both himself and Hendrick Motorsports to Martinsville Speedway.

“It’s where I got my first start in the Cup Series,” Elliott said. “And I think for that, you know, it’ll always carry a special place in my mind. I think the significance of the track through the company also makes it at the forefront of our of our minds, too. I think it kind of plays a role every time you go, wanting to do well. Fortunately for us, I think that we always have a lot of motivation to want to go and do our jobs and perform at a high level.”

Not-so-quiet consistency shown with three top 10s through six weeks has Elliott planted at fifth in points. The 9 has also started top 10 in the last four Martinsville races. As a result, stage points should reward this team’s efforts again on Sunday. Elliott may not be the fastest man in town this weekend, but a lucky break or two may find him in the right position late to capitalize.

2026 to date has started off as the year for Toyota, with five of six wins so far on the young season. All three manufacturers have drivers more than capable of finding Martinsville success, though. They could each pull into Cook Out 400 victory lane. Martinsville’s green flag will fly Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. A lot of Martinsville movement could drastically shake up the Chase standings after 400 tough laps.

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo credits to Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images