As we head into Martinsville Race Week, we will have to look at drivers’ stats and history from this course and other similar courses as we build our lineup this week. This week we are going to focus on finding value by looking at previous top contenders at Martinsville the past couple of years. There are quite a few value drivers that you can insert into your lineup. Let’s now take a deep dive into who I think you can insert into your lineup for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
Past Winners/Track Knowledge
It’s time for the NASCARs Cup Series to take their best shot winning at Martinsville Speedway. The Cup Series raced at Martinsville earlier in 2021 where Martin Truex Jr left victorious. In 2020 the two races were won by Martin Truex Jr and Chase Elliot. This will be a 263-mile race where the drivers will be tasked with completing 500 laps around the Speedway. Martinsville Speedway is a 0.526-mile Speedway, with an asphalt surface. This raceway is home to 4 turns that will push drivers to the limit. The best part about Martinsville is that each turn has its own set of challenges that the drivers must overcome. With Martinsville being a tricky track with a history there is a lot of data to sift through as we build out winning lineup.
Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on 10/31/2021 (DraftKings Values)
| Driver #1 | Joey Logano | $ 9,500 | |
| Driver #2 | Brad Keselowski | $ 9,300 | |
| Driver #3 | $ | ||
| Driver #4 | $ | ||
| Driver #5 | $ | ||
| Driver #6 | $ |
A-List Premium Price Drivers
Joey Logano ($9,500 DK, $11,500 FD)
Here is one of those drivers that you never really feel bad about having in your lineup each week. Joey Logano is going to race well, and he is going to race hard every time he hits the track. And of course, because of that he is often a very expensive driver to insert into your lineup. Logano has the added incentive that he is currently in last place in the playoff standings and needs to win this race to move on. When building my lineup Logano was a last-minute addition after the value I found that I will discuss later. Logano has had another usual season for him, so far, he has one win, 10 top five finishes, 17 top 10 finishes, and had led 422 laps. Along with another spot in the top eight in the playoffs. All totals are well within what we expect from him. In his career Logano is averaging just under two wins a year, so you know he is going to be out racing for his second of the year this weekend. With his 27 career wins Logano has won at once in his career, where he also adds eight top five finishes, 13 top 10 finishes and has led 1089 laps in his career. I think Logano is going to be finishing this race with another top 10 finish or better. Honestly he’s my pick to win.
Brad Keselowski ($9,300 DK, $11,000 FD)
As one of my favorite drivers for this race, Brad Keselowski is poised to add another win to his resume this year. Keselowski is in the same situation at Logano where he must win to get into the championship race next week. In 34 races this year Keselowski has one win, nine top five finishes, 15 top 10 finishes, and has led 331 laps. The strange thing this year for Keselowski is he is having a career bad year in the average finish department as his average finish this year has been 13.70. Now for some drivers that would be a career best, but Keselowski is a good driver. Compared to his 2020 average finish of 10.08 and four wins, 2021 so far has been good but not great. I think Keselowski can “turn” it around this weekend and win his second race this year. And with that being said, I am surprised that Keselowski is not worth more this week, with the resume he has at Martinsville where he has two career wins, an is in the upper echelon of active drivers in top fives and top 10’s. Good for us I guess as we get a phenomenal driver at good value. I really like Keselowski this weekend, I think he is in for a top five or better performance.
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Kevin Harvick ($9,300 FD)
As much as I like Keselowski and Logano, Harvick has got to win a race this year right? 2021 has been far from the year that Kevin Harvick had in 2020 where he had nine wins, 20 top five finishes, 27 top 10 finishes, while leading 1531 laps. Harvick was the regular season winner last year and was by far the best and most dominant driver all year. 2021 has been less than average for Harvick as he has yet to find victory lane. He does however have 10 top five finishes, and 23 top 10 finishes. It is safe to say that Harvick is due for a win. This might even be the week. Harvick provides value while also providing as good a shot as any to win this race. Harvick has been average to good at Martinsville recently and frankly in his career. Harvick has won at Martinsville once in his career. I want to see Harvick get to the front of this race and just see what happens. We all know what happens more times than not when Harvick is in the front of the field. They do not call him “the closer” for no reason.
B-List Value Drivers
Christopher Bell ($8,400 DK, $9,500 FD)
Driving the number 20 for Joe Gibbs Racing, Bell got his first career win earlier this year on the Daytona Road Course then followed it up with a win at New Hampshire. Bell has raced at Martinsville three tomes in his career where he has one top 10 finish. So far in 2021, he has one win, seven top five finishes, and 15 top 10 finishes. Bell has had a good year where he has come into his own and I think can get another top 10 or better finish this week. Bell finished seventh earlier this year at this course after starting 24th.
Tyler Reddick ($8,200 DK, $8,500 FD)
Tyler Reddick moved up to the Cup Series in 2020 and had a great rookie season with three top-five finishes and nine top 10 finishes. I have been enjoying everything I have seen from Reddick since he burst onto the scene in 2018 and 2019 winning eight races in the Xfinity Series while also being back-to-back champion those two years. For me, anytime I see Reddick at a good price point I am going to insert him into my lineup, he has shown this year that he can turn bad starting positions in top 10 finishes.
Matt DiBenedetto ($7,700 DK)
As for star power, you are not getting that with Matt DiBenedetto. However, you are getting a driver who has finished on average better than he started in 34 races this year, while also adding three top five finishes and nine top 10 finishes. After a up and down start to the season he has placed top 15 in five races before Daytona and Darlington where he has slumped. I could see him being on the cusp of getting into the top 10 this week which could mean that he will be in for some point differential points. DiBenedetto is in the sleeper value category this week. Keep in mind that he already has two top 10 finishes at Martinsville in his career.
Now go win your matchup and let us know how you did.
Or if I picked every driver that will be in that lap 246 crash, I encourage you to let me hear it.
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