Goody’s 500 Predictions
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Martinsville Speedway this Sunday for the 2010 Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500.
Martinsville Speedway is shaped very similar to a paper clip and with it brings lots of problems. Most drivers struggle with the track for the majority of the race and thanks to a rule change this year, things could get even more problematic.
Bet 2010 Goody’s 500 Odds
This week NASCAR has decided to do away with the Wing, which was unique to the COT car. Things will go back to the traditional spoiler, which was used for years with no complaints. The Wing drew complaints from most everyone, since the COT was unveiled.
Jimmy Johnson has been the king of Martinsville Speedway the last few years but with big changes coming, there’s some concern about how the car will handle this weekend. We think taking Johnson at these odds would be unwise, so we’ll pass.
Denny Hamlin 5/1
Martinsville Speedway is a track that Denny Hamlin knows like the back of his hand, since he grew up nearby and raced here long before he entered the Sprint Cup Series. Over the years, Hamlin has excelled on flat tracks exactly like Martinsville and is the only driver to beat Jimmie Johnson over the last seven races. In nine starts, Hamlin has an average finish of 7.2 at Martinsville and has only finished outside the top 10 once. If anyone can knock Johnson off his throne, we think Hamlin will be the one to do it.
Tony Stewart 10/1
Tony Stewart has always been known as a slow starter and if you look back over the years, he seems to get going once they hit it the short tracks (we even saw it last year at Bristol). While Stewart has never been a force here, we think the price is right seeing as how there are so many question marks over how everyone adapts to the new car.
With so many intangibles and given how dominant Johnson has been over the years, we will keep our bets down and stay away from trying to pick a long shot this week.
Posted: 3/26/10 1:45AM ET
