Last Updated on April 3, 2011 3:00 pm by Anthony Rome
Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 Picks
(The Spread) – This Sunday, NASCAR heads to Virginia for the running of the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 from Martinsville Speedway.
Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin have dominated on this track recently, winning the last nine races between them. In those last nine races at Martinsville, Johnson has won five times, while Hamlin has come in with four victories – including the last three-straight. Given the success that both Hamlin and Johnson have shared over the last few years at Matinsville, it comes as no surprise that both are big favorites to win on Sunday.
Martinsville is often compared to a paper clip because, well, it’s shaped like one. Qualifying is very important, as passing is difficult. Thus, waiting to make a bet until after qualifying is a must here, since your chances of winning from the back is next to impossible. Chances are we will see a shorter price after qualifying but in the long run, it’s worth the wait.
Johnson has six wins at Martinsville and has finished in the top-10 17 straight times, including 13 finishes in the top-5. In the last three years at Martinsville, Johnson has a 3.7-average finish and has led an incredible 680 laps. With all the engine problems Joe Gibbs Racing has had this year, Johnson looks to be the much safer bet this week between the two big favorites.
Live Longshot
Jeff Gordon 12/1
While Jeff Gordon hasn’t won here since sweeping in 2005, he did have 11-straight top-5s until a late race incident broke the streak last year. Gordon leads all active drivers with seven wins and if anyone can knock off the big two, we think he is the one to do it.
Bet Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 Picks
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