Goody's Fast Relief 500 2012: Start Time, Lineup, TV Schedule and More

It may not be as prestigious as the bigger tracks like Daytona or Indianapolis, but it's hard to argue with the notion that Martinsville is one of the most exciting ovals on the circuit. Stock car racing's very best will take on the half-mile track this weekend as the Sprint Cup Series' Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 launches from Martinsville, Va.

With average speeds in the 70s and 80s, this certainly is a race unlike any other, but that is what makes it so exciting. There isn't much room to operate on such a small track, so we are afforded the opportunity to see just how skilled these drivers are, as they have to operate in close quarters without wrecking and causing a major pileup.

Pretty much all of the greats have won at Martinsville since the inaugural race in 1956, so reaching Victory Lane in this race could help cement somebody as an elite driver. You don't often see fluky wins at this track, as almost every winner across the race's history has been a championship contender.

Here is everything you need to about Sunday's Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville, including where you can watch it and what to look out for.

Where: Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va.

When: Sunday, April 1 at 1 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX

Live Stream: TrackPass

Listen: Motor Racing Network

Starting Order: Qualifying will be Saturday, March 31, at 11:40 a.m. ET

TV Schedule

Goody's Fast Relief 500 Practice: Friday, March 30 at 12:30 p.m. ET (SPEED)

Goody's Fast Relief 500 Practice: Friday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET (SPEED)

Goody's Fast Relief 500 Qualifying: Saturday, March 31 at 11:40 a.m. ET (SPEED)

Goody's Fast Relief 500: Sunday, April 1 at 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Drivers to Watch

Denny Hamlin

There is a fairly long list of multi-time winners at Martinsville in the Sprint Cup Series, and all of them are impressive names. The youngest among them is Denny Hamlin, who took the checkered flag in 2008 and 2010. You normally see veteran drivers win at Martinsville because of how savvy the driving has to be on such a small track, but Hamlin has proved to be beyond his years in that regard.

Hamlin is having a solid year this far—he sits in seventh in the standings and has one win—but a victory at Martinsville would really help shoot him up in the pecking order. There aren't a ton of drivers on the circuit that truly have the skill and patience to win this race, but Hamlin is one driver who does.

Jimmie Johnson

It should come as no surprise that Jimmie Johnson has had success at Martinsville, as "Five Time" has never met a track he couldn't conquer. Johnson hasn't had the greatest start this season, as he is currently ninth in the standings and had to deal with a suspension to crew chief Chad Knaus—which was eventually appealed and beaten—but he appears ready to break out.

The Sprint Cup Series could be having a race on Marsm and Johnson would be among the favorites to win because he has proven over the course of his career that no track or situation is too tough for him to tame. Martinsville is one of the biggest tests in racing, and it seems like Johnson views it as a challenge, as he always raises his game and has twice conquered the "Paperclip."

Jeff Gordon

Like Johnson, Jeff Gordon has won pretty much everywhere over the course of his storied career, and Martinsville is no exception. No active driver has won at Martinsville more than Gordon, who has taken the checkered flag three times. Although, he hasn't done so since 2005.

This season has been a nightmare thus far for Gordon, as he is way back in 25th place with just one top 10. Gordon desperately needs a good result of some kind, and Martinsville may be the place where he can get it. For whatever reason, Gordon seems more like a complementary player than a true contender these days at most tracks, but Martinsville truly puts an emphasis on skill. Because of that, one of the greatest drivers of all-time will certainly be in the running.

Predicted Winner: Denny Hamlin