Jeff Gordon And Jamie McMurray To Shine At Martinsville

Martinsville Speedway -- 10/19/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Thursday Oct 16 2008 12:29pm

For the second time in 2008, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Martinsville, Virginia for the TUMS Quick Pak 500. Martinsville is the shortest and slowest oval in NASCAR, and it is a Wild Card race for several championship chasers. Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing have dominated this racetrack, especially Hendrick Motorsports, over the past several years. Denny Hamlin won the first race at Martinsville in 2008 back in April.

1. 24-Jeff Gordon: 4-1 nascar odds

Regardless of what kind of season Jeff Gordon is having from a performance standpoint, you can bet that he will be a contender at Martinsville. Throughout his career, there are certain venues that favor Jeff Gordon- road courses, super speedways, Darlington, and Martinsville. It would be difficult to find a driver in the Sprint Cup garage who is as hungry for a win as Jeff Gordon is. Even though he has improved at the intermediate speedways, this may be his last bona fide shot at a victory in 2008. Gordon finished second at Martinsville in the spring. In 2007, he placed finishes of second and third.

In 31 career starts at Martinsville, Jeff Gordon has seven wins, most of any active Sprint Cup driver. Additionally, he has posted nineteen top five finishes, and 25 top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 7.0. He has fifteen career wins on short tracks, and an average finish of 11.3.

2. 31-Jeff Burton: 15-1 nascar odds

With his convincing win at Charlotte last week, Jeff Burton inserted himself into championship discussions, and plans to prove that last week’s victory was only the beginning. However, Burton must finish ahead of Jimmie Johnson in at least four of the final five races. Johnson is stout at Martinsville, but many forget that Jeff Burton has a solid track record as well. Burton has built up a great deal of momentum, and is a threat to Johnson and the 48 team. In the spring, Burton finished in the third position. In 2007, he placed finishes of sixth and twelfth.

In 28 career starts at Martinsville, his home track, Jeff Burton has one victory (in 1997) ten top five finishes, and fourteen top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 14.5. He has three career short track wins, and an average finish of 16.5.

3. 48-Jimmie Johnson: 7-2 nascar odds

Anytime Jimmie Johnson arrives at Martinsville with the championship lead, the nascar odds are that he will build upon his lead. He is the safe bet for this weekend’s event. He won this race in 2004, and again in 2006. Much of his success has come under the tutelage of his teammate Jeff Gordon, who is the best at the 0.526-mile paperclip oval. Expect another strong performance out of the 48 team, and a possible victory. He finished fourth in the spring race at Martinsville. In 2007, he won both races at Martinsville.

In thirteen career starts at Martinsville, Johnson has four wins nine top five finishes, and twelve top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 6.0. He has seven career wins on short tracks, and an average finish of 13.8.

4. 11-Denny Hamlin: 6-1 nascar odds

It has been a harsh road for Denny Hamlin in the 2008 Chase for the Championship. After finishing ninth in the Chase opener at New Hampshire, he has yet to crack the top ten. At Talladega, Hamlin spent the night in the hospital after he cut a tire and slammed the outside wall. The Virginia native must be ecstatic as the Sprint Cup Series heads to his home track. Historically, Martinsville is one of Hamlin’s best tracks, if not his best. In 2006, as a rookie, Hamlin finished second to Jimmie Johnson in this race. He won the spring race at Martinsville. In 2007, Hamlin placed finishes of third and sixth.

In six career starts at Martinsville, Hamlin has one win, three top five finishes, and five top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 9.5. He has one career win on short tracks, and an average finish of 10.9.

5. 18-Kyle Busch: 6-1 nascar odds

Kyle Busch scored a much-needed third place finish at Charlotte last week. It was his first top five since he finished second at Bristol nearly two months ago. Busch’s career at Martinsville has been feast or famine. His best finish is fourth, but he has finished 38th or worse on two occasions. Busch is an uncompromising racer who has been solid on the short tracks throughout the season. He finished 38th in the spring race at Martinsville. In 2007, he posted a finish of fourth in both races.

In seven career starts at Martinsville, Kyle Busch has scored three top five finishes, and four top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 16.7. He has one career short track victory, and an average finish of 11.8.

6. 88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.: 8-1 nascar odds

Despite the fact that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has never won at Martinsville, it has been one of his stronger tracks in recent years. A win at Martinsville has been a coveted prize for Earnhardt, Jr. ever since his rookie season when his father said he had ran into everything but the pace car. Earnhardt, Jr. has qualified in the top five at Martinsville six times throughout his career. It would be a popular victory celebration if Earnhardt, Jr. can drive his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet into victory lane. He finished sixth in the spring race at Martinsville. In 2007, he posted finishes of fifth and 23rd.

In seventeen career starts at Martinsville, Earnhardt, Jr. has scored seven top five finishes, and eight top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 14.3. He has four career victories on short tracks, and an average finish of 12.3.

7. 29-Kevin Harvick: 25-1 nascar odds

After an eventful weekend at Charlotte, Kevin Harvick looks to capture his first win at Martinsville as well as his first win of the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Ever since his entrance into Sprint Cup competition in 2001, Harvick’s strength has been the short tracks. However, Martinsville has not been a piece of cake for the two-time Nationwide Series champion. He has yet to post a top five finish at the 0.526-mile track. Back in April, Harvick finished in the twelfth position. In 2007, he posted finishes of 41st and tenth.

In fifteen career starts at Martinsville, Harvick has posted five top ten finishes, and has an average finish of 18.8. He has two career wins on short tracks, and an average finish of 13.0.

8. 26-Jamie McMurray: 30-1 nascar odds

This week, expect Jamie McMurray to be the non-Chaser mixing it up with the championship contenders. McMurray has quietly posted solid results in the second half of the season. Throughout his career, McMurray has had a history of inconsistency, but one thing is for sure, he is always tough on NASCAR’s intricate tracks, such as the road courses and Martinsville. This could be the weekend in which McMurray steals a victory. In April, he qualified fifth and finished eighth. In 2007, McMurray posted finishes of ninth and 32nd at Martinsville.

In eleven career starts at Martinsville, McMurray has posted one top five finish, and seven top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 15.0. He has thirteen career top ten finishes on short tracks, and an average finish of 20.7.

9. 20-Tony Stewart: 8-1 nascar odds

Outside of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, no other driver has enjoyed as much success at Martinsville as Tony Stewart. He won this race in 2000, which was only his second season in Sprint Cup. He also won the spring race in 2006. If he keeps his car in one piece, he is usually a contender down the stretch. Look for Stewart to have another solid performance at Martinsville. He finished fifth in the spring race. In 2007, Stewart finished seventh and thirteenth at Martinsville.

In nineteen career starts at Martinsville, Stewart has two wins, seven top five finishes, and an average finish of 11.9. He has six career short track victories, and an average finish of 12.9.

10. 16-Greg Biffle: 30-1 nascar odds

Martinsville is perhaps Greg Biffle’s weakest track, and you will receive no argument from him. However, he finished seventh in the race a year ago, and he has more motivation now than he ever has heading into a race at Martinsville. Biffle is only 86 points behind Jimmie Johnson. If Biffle keeps his nose clean and his brakes in check, he could depart Martinsville with a top ten finish. That would keep in the championship hunt. He finished 20th at Martinsville back in April. In 2007, he posted finishes of 32nd and seventh.

In eleven career starts at Martinsville, Biffle has one top ten finish, and an average finish of 23.6. Biffle has a career average finish of 16.2 at tracks less than a mile in length.

Also, keep an eye on Kurt Busch (30-1 nascar odds), Ryan Newman (40-1 nascar odds), Clint Bowyer (30-1 nascar odds), Matt Kenseth (40-1 nascar odds), and Carl Edwards (20-1 nascar odds)

Great darkhorse picks include Casey Mears (100-1 nascar odds), Bobby Labonte (100-1 nascar odds), Juan Pablo Montoya (75-1 nascar odds), Mike Bliss, and Elliott Sadler (75-1 nascar odds)

Stay away from Scott Speed (100-1 nascar odds), Sam Hornish, Jr. (100-1 nascar odds), Aric Almirola (100-1 nascar odds), Chad McCumbee, and Paul Menard (100-1 nascar odds)

Odds Maker’s Top Ten

1. Jimmie Johnson 7-2 nascar odds
2. Jeff Gordon 4-1 nascar odds
3. Kyle Busch 6-1 nascar odds
4. Denny Hamlin 6-1 nascar odds
5. Tony Stewart 8-1 nascar odds
6. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 8-1 nascar odds
7. Jeff Burton 15-1 nascar odds
8. Carl Edwards 20-1 nascar odds
9. Kevin Harvick 25-1 nascar odds
10. Greg Biffle 30-1 nascar odds, Clint Bowyer 30-1 nascar odds, Kasey Kahne 30-1 nascar odds, Kurt Busch 30-1 nascar odds, Jamie McMurray 30-1 nascar odds