NASCAR at Martinsville: Denny Hamlin and 10 Drivers Likely to Be in the Mix
Martinsville is the smallest track on the circuit and known for high-class racing.
Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson have dominated the track since 2006, and there is no doubt, they are two of the most talented drivers in the series right now, and it is almost impossible to beat them when they are at the ultimate top of their game.
But who else can succeed at Martinsville on Sunday?
Honestly, I think Sunday will be the Hamlin show, but there has to be SOMEONE out there that can at least give him a run for his money other than Johnson. Let's see who I picked to run well come Sunday. We'll see how right I am in just a few days
No. 1: Denny Hamlin
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Well, Hamlin has won four of the last six races at Martinsville, including a three-race streak he's on right now. Hamlin hasn't had all that much luck this season with equipment failures working against him, but this is his track. If he could pick a place to turn around his luck, it would be Martinsville.
No. 2: Jimmie Johnson
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The only one who has knocked Hamlin off his Martinsville throne has been Jimmie Johnson.
Johnson has won every race but four here starting in October of 2006 (the four being the ones Hamlin won), but hasn't won since March of 2009. I think he's the biggest threat to Hamlin but it would be nice to see someone else in Victory Lane come Sunday.
No. 3: Tony Stewart
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Smoke was the last one to win since the Denny and Jimmie show began, so I think he deserves a little love here. Smoke only has two top 10s in the five races this season which may work against him, but I still think he's one to watch.
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No. 4: Kevin Harvick
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Harvick is coming off of a win and a giant points leap. He was one of the dominant three last year and is looking to continue that, so I definitely expect that he'll start stringing together good runs to get back in the running for the championship.
No. 5: Kyle Busch
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Little Busch swept Bristol, and small tracks let him get more aggressive. He also has four top 10s in five races, so he's on fire this season so far.
No. 6: Carl Edwards
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The points' leader has three top fives in five races and finished second at Bristol. There's not much to say on this one other than Edwards' Ford has been on fire in all but one race this season (where he was involved in a wreck), so I find him to be a threat anywhere.
No. 7: Matt Kenseth
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Another Ford (definitely not something that could have been said most of last year). Matt Kenseth sits 10th in points and finished fourth at Bristol. He hasn't been as Mr. Consistent this year as in the past, but he's good to count in the top of the standings at any race because he usually finds a way up there.
No. 8: Ryan Newman
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Newman was the last one to win the pole at Martinsville other than Hamlin (Hamlin grabbed it in October and it was rained out in March 2010). He's also sitting second in points with three top fives and four top 10s. Watch out for Newman, he's gunning for revenge after a bad season last year.
No. 9: Jeff Gordon
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Gordon got both the poles here in October 2007 and March 2008, and has numerous amounts of poles and wins from before then. He has earned seven wins at Martinsville since 1996, so it's obvious he likes the track and he's having a pretty good season as well.
No. 10: Kurt Busch
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Big Busch hasn't won here since October of 2002, but he's been on a roll this season. He sits third in points with four top 10s. He finished seventh in Bristol a few weeks ago and should be ready to roll this week.
No. 11: Paul Menard
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I know, I know. Everyone just had to re-read that twice or maybe even 10 times but I think Menard has a shot. He's the highest Childress car in points right now and finished fifth at Bristol. I think his move to good equipment has helped him and I am impressed just how well he's done this season at RCR.
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