Local driver Brandon Brown has assisted us in compiling a range of Martinsville betting options as the NASCAR event makes its way to Virginia this weekend.
The upcoming NASCAR triple-header at Martinsville Speedway, taking place this weekend, will showcase thrilling races in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck series.
Prepare for an exhilarating 30-hour race, set to unfold on one of the planet’s most legendary short tracks.
However, if you are interested in engaging in Martinsville betting this weekend, which drivers should you consider? Who possesses a deep understanding of the distinctive obstacles presented by the .526-mile track?
In our quest for assistance, we found the perfect candidate for the task at hand – none other than Brandon Brown, the NASCAR Xfinity driver hailing from Virginia and proudly sponsored by PlayVirginia. With NASCAR enthusiasts flocking to Virginia sportsbook apps, we sought Brandon’s valuable insights.
Naturally, there are also choices available for betting on Brown himself.
Martinsville betting? First, the schedule
To begin with, let’s examine the timetable for the upcoming 2021 fall NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, VA.
This weekend marks the penultimate race for all three of NASCAR’s top series, implying an intense and thrilling showdown on both Saturday and Sunday, filled with high pressure and high stakes. Brace yourself for some adrenaline-pumping, nail-biting racing action!
Check out the Martinsville Speedway schedule for this upcoming Halloween weekend.
NASCAR Cup Series: Xfinity 500
The race is scheduled for Sunday, October 31st, at 2 p.m. It will be broadcasted on NBC. The race consists of 500 laps, covering a distance of 263 miles. Martin Truex Jr. is the favorite to win the race, with odds of +450 at DraftKings.
NASCAR Xfinity Series: Dead on Tools 250
The race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 30th, at 6 p.m. and will be broadcasted on NBCSN. The race will consist of 250 laps, covering a total distance of 157.8 miles. The top contenders for the race are Ty Gibbs (+450 at DraftKings) and Austin Cindric (+500 at BetRivers).
NASCAR Truck Series: United Rentals 200
The race is scheduled for Sunday, October 30, at 1 p.m. It will be broadcasted on FS1 and will consist of 200 laps, covering a distance of 105.2 miles. John Hunter Nemechek is considered the race favorite, with odds of +350 at DraftKings.
Cup Series: Xfinity 500 betting picks
The Virginia racing weekend reaches its conclusion on Sunday at 2 p.m. with the highly anticipated Xfinity 500, the final event of the NASCAR Cup Series.
Brandon Brown, who will be racing this weekend, will also be donning PlayVirginia logos on his car on the following day.
Brown admitted that his past experiences at Martinsville have been a rollercoaster ride for him, as the track is undeniably challenging.
As Brown said:
There are countless factors that make Martinsville stand out. Its half-mile race track ensures that laps are completed rapidly, leaving little time to readjust your grip or take a breather, except during caution periods. Thus, short track racing at Martinsville is undeniably physically demanding. Additionally, the track’s distinctive feature lies in the crucial requirement of brake management. The brake rotors become exceedingly hot at Martinsville, and mishandling them may result in failure, potentially cutting short your race.
Despite being the favorite to win the race, Martin Truex Jr. (+450 at DraftKings) faces the risk of being eliminated from the 2021 NASCAR playoffs. The remaining contenders for the final four spots are Kyle Larson (+500), Chase Elliott (+600), Denny Hamlin (+650), and Kyle Busch (+800). Ryan Blaney (+700), Brad Keselowski (+900), and Joey Logano (+850) are on the bubble along with Truex Jr.
Among that group of drivers, Brown believes that there are several high-quality picks.
He mentioned that Martin Truex Jr., Chase Elliot, and Denny Hamlin are worth watching. Truex Jr. has accumulated numerous Martinsville clocks, while Chase emerged victorious there last year. As a Virginian, there’s a natural inclination to root for Denny Hamlin. Additionally, Hamlin consistently performs exceptionally well at Martinsville and is often in contention for the checkered flag.
Following Sunday’s crucial race, four drivers will face elimination, leaving the final four contenders to battle it out in the Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway, which marks the last NASCAR Cup Series race of 2021.
Xfinity Series: Dead on Tools 250 picks
For Saturday’s (6 p.m.) NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Dead on Tools 250, Brown undoubtedly suggests himself as the top choice.
Naturally, the Woodbridge native, who is 28 years old, is confident in his abilities. He has been experiencing a remarkable year, achieving personal bests in terms of wins (including a significant victory at Talladega on October 2nd), top 10 finishes (nine in total), and top 5 finishes (three in total).
Brown’s has encountered difficulties at Martinsville, including the recent spring race.
He expressed, “During the spring, we were on track for an impressive top 10 finish. Regrettably, a part malfunction occurred, preventing us from securing a competitive result. Nevertheless, racing in Virginia, my home state, is always a delight. I eagerly anticipate the upcoming race and hope for a smooth and trouble-free experience.”
However, the oddsmakers have low expectations for his chances. Brown’s odds to win the Dead on Tools 250 at Caesars are +25000. This means that if someone were to place a $10 bet on Brown’s No. 68 Chevrolet and he were to win, they would receive $2,500 in winnings.
At DraftKings, you can also choose to place bets on Brown’s chances of finishing in the top 5 (+1300) or top 3 (+3000).
In addition to his own perspective, Brown offers further suggestions for the race. He believes that Josh Berry (+1200 at DraftKings) is a strong contender for victory at Martinsville.
Are you in search of a more unlikely contender? Well, if that’s the case, consider placing your bet on Landon Cassill (+100000) according to Brown. If Cassill manages to achieve the unexpected and secure the checkered flag, a $10 wager would result in an astounding $10,000 in winnings. Alternatively, at DraftKings, you have the option to bet on Cassill finishing in the top 5 (+2800) or top 3 (+6000) as well.
According to Brown, Landon is an experienced driver with extensive skills, and in my opinion, he has been consistently exceeding expectations given the limitations of his equipment.
Xfinity Series: United Rentals 200 picks
When dealing with Martinsville Speedway, the accomplished drivers possess a talent for maintaining composure.
According to Brown, in order to emerge victorious, one must master the art of maintaining a steady pace, consistently completing laps, all the while ensuring proper upkeep of the equipment and keeping the car in pristine condition.
Todd Gilliland is the driver that Brown believes possesses the necessary skills for Saturday’s (1 p.m.) NASCAR Truck Series’ United Rentals 200.
Despite missing the Truck Series playoffs this year, the 21-year-old individual has showcased impressive achievements in terms of wins (one), top 5 finishes (10), and top 10 finishes (15). Remarkably, in 2019, he achieved his inaugural victory in the Truck Series by triumphing at Martinsville Speedway.
According to Brown, Gilliland has the potential to excel amidst a highly competitive group of drivers.
He expressed anticipation for the upcoming race on Saturday, noting its significance for the participants. Drawing from the previous year’s event, he predicted an exciting and unpredictable competition. However, his belief was firmly placed on Todd Gilliland emerging as the victor. Gilliland’s past triumph at Martinsville in the Truck Series, coupled with his team’s consistent performance, made them a formidable force capable of prevailing in any race within the series.
Gilland’s odds of winning Sunday’s race are set at +1200. Other top contenders include John Hunter Nemechek, who stands at +350 according to DraftKings, and Sheldon Creed with odds of +450 as per BetRivers.