NASCAR at Martinsville 2015: Race Schedule, Live Stream Info, Drivers to Watch
Six weeks into the NASCAR season, the Sprint Cup Series is finally heading to the first short track. The STP 500 is not only one of the most arduous events of the season, but the Paperclip is also the shortest in the series.
Similar to the other short tracks, Martinsville will be run twice this season. Unlike Richmond and Bristol, Martinsville will actually be the site of a race during the Chase as well. That makes the importance of this race all that much more significant.
Two teams that have dominated thus far are Stewart-Haas Racing and Team Penske, but Hendrick Motorsports has typically surged at Martinsville. Even with a Penske car up front in Joey Logano, there will be five Hendrick cars behind him—including Chase Elliott—looking for the win.
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In anticipation of the STP 500, here's a look at the full schedule and drivers to watch for the first race in Martinsville.
Race Information
Where: Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway, Virginia
When: Sunday, March 29
Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Radio: Motor Racing Network
Drivers to Watch
Jimmie Johnson
In the last 17 races at Martinsville, Jimmie Johnson has won seven of them. The six-time champion has also claimed six more top-five finishes over that span. Suffice to say, he's always a threat at the Paperclip.
The only issue JJ might experience is something he physically can't control. For example, Johnson experienced engine problems during practice Saturday, as Alan Cavanna of Fox Sports notes:
At the track commonly referred to as "Hendrickville" for the team's command over the course, three Hendrick drivers rank in the top four in driver rating. Johnson is at the top with 122.5, then Jeff Gordon (119.8), Denny Hamlin (110.1) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (101.2).
With so many Hendrick cars on the track, Johnson is sure to have teammates up near the front with him. Once he gets out front, expect others like Gordon and Earnhardt to help propel him to a strong finish. If one of those drivers doesn't overtake him, JJ might be driving to Victory Lane for a second time this year.
Denny Hamlin
Coming into the season, Joe Gibbs Racing had high hopes of blistering the field with four cars. Things have not gone to plan so far, with just three top-five finishes between the four cars.
Hamlin can change all of that Sunday.
The Chesterfield, Virginia, native has claimed the most wins over his career at the track. Tied with his four wins at Dover, Hamlin has a chance to reach a new career high Sunday with a fifth victory. Though he didn't top the leaderboard in qualifying, he did in practice, per Jeff Gluck of USA Today:
Despite finishing 28th at Auto Club Speedway, Hamlin can still recover in Martinsville. If he can find his way to the front, he has the skill and experience to clinch a spot in the Chase on Sunday.
Joey Logano
Earning his second pole of the season, Logano proved he has speed on every type of track. Winning at Daytona is completely different than driving to Victory Lane at Martinsville. But with his pedigree of driving and equipment, Logano can dominate the field everywhere.
Just a week after teammate Brad Keselowski paced the field to the checkered flag, Logano will do the same to the first green flag in Martinsville. Every other driver is hoping to chase him down, but it's clear that Logano has the fastest car on the track during short periods.
There's a lot more that goes into winning at Martinsville than just being the fastest. But a year after finishing in the top five twice at the track, look for Logano to run near the front and possibly take his second victory of the year.
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