Will drivers race as fast and tenaciously as Xfinity internet in Sunday’s Xfinity 500? (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Before any of the Round of 8 drivers, aside from Joey Logano, can consider a NASCAR Cup Series championship, they will have to consider a tough, mean short track called Martinsville Speedway, host of Sunday’s Xfinity 500.
While last Sunday’s Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway seemed like a surfing safari, Sunday afternoon’s race in Southwest Virginia will be more like a stock car version of The Hunger Games. In this case, there will be 36 drivers and teams volunteering as tribute.
As one of the charter tracks of the NASCAR Cup Series, or as it was originally called, Strictly Stock, the 0.526-mile concrete and asphalt remains as treacherous and brutal today as it was with stock car racing’s legends in 1949. On Sunday afternoon, it is more than about earning a spot for the Championship 4.
For the field of 36 drivers, it will be about earning the prized, beloved grandfather clock. Although it may seem easier to earn one as a Price Is Right contestant, a race of at least 500 laps carries more satisfaction to the winning racer and team who conquer this pristine but rough gem.
Earlier this year, William Byron enjoyed a chilly but dominant victory at Martinsville when he led 212 of 403 laps. Last year, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Alex Bowman, pulled a rabbit out of a hat to the chagrin of Denny Hamlin.
This weekend, Cody Shoppe, Jasmine Sharpe, Kobe Lambeth, Luis Torres, Matt Sisoler and yours truly wonder about the potential for a better race on Sunday afternoon and who captures their attention in terms of contenders and possible pretenders.
Podium Preview: Xfinity 500 at Martinsville
Trending Topics
Question 1
Might we see more passing on Sunday? (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Much has been said about the less than stellar spring Martinsville race with the changes to the package for Sunday’s race. Will we see a better on track product for the penultimate race of the 2022 season, or more of the same from April with 100 additional laps?
Tiongson : This will be an interesting race to watch after April’s dud of a race. Admittedly, in April, teams were still figuring out the Next Gen cars and contending with the much discussed parts shortage. Also, that had to be one of the coldest races since the NASCAR Cup Series season finale in 2001 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Sunday’s race should be a bit better given what’s on the line for the remaining seven drivers in the Round of 8. Joey Logano can take it easy and be as reasonably aggressive as possible. For drivers like William Byron, starting deep in the field, it will be about relying on the pit crew to deliver with respectable stops to gain track position.
Moreover, I look at how last month’s race at Bristol turned out, the most recent short track race. It was a bit like an old school stock car race there which gives me hope for Sunday’s penultimate race of the 2022 season. Additionally, the paperclip is typically exciting with tempers flaring, an element we should see for those wanting to continue their championship hopes.
Sisoler : I’m hopeful that the teams and drivers have learned from other short track races this year to improve the cars, but only time will tell if this race is better than the spring event!
Shoppe : I have my fingers crossed that the only reasons that spring race was so bad were because of the cold temperatures and less of a notebook with this car on short tracks. I’m hopeful that we’ve learned more about the car and how to get the racing better here at this point.
Shifting will be a big part of the racing we see today too. Some drivers complain this is a big issue. Hopefully we can see a great race to make up for the spring race with much more on the line!
Question 2
Will it be a worrisome day for William Byron? (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Aside from Joey Logano, the pressure is on the remaining seven Round of 8 drivers to lock their spots for the Championship 4 battle at Phoenix. Name a driver and team who you feel certain about with their chances of advancing and another driver and team who worries you going into Martinsville.
Sharpe : After watching Saturday’s practice and qualifying efforts, I personally feel confident for Team Trackhouse and Ross Chastain. They seem to have their goals locked and know what needs to happen in order to snag the Championship.
Even though Hendrick Motorsports has many successes, it seems their own drivers have had issues working together this season. Chase Elliot may be in contention for a second championship, but teammate Kyle Larson has been proving his worth, even after not making the top 8 in points. They’ve clashed a couple times this season. I would keep a close eye on these two.
Lambeth : If I were Chase Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports, I’d feel very confident about my chances of advancing to the Championship 4. The No. 9 Chevrolet starts today’s Xfinity 500 on the front row and track position may be super important coming to Martinsville Speedway for the second time this year. Elliott is currently 11 points above the cutline, so scoring critical stage points should give him a little breathing room if something crazy happens as the aggression levels rise late in the 500-lap event.
However, after qualifying yesterday, I’m concerned for Elliott’s teammate William Byron. If passing proves difficult again at Martinsville, it could be a long day for Byron, who’s rolling off the grid in 25th-place. For a driver only five points above the cutline, he needs to get in the stage points and pick up as many as possible. Starting further back in the field only increases Byron’s chances of getting caught up in someone’s mess, which could derail his hopes of competing for a championship next weekend in Phoenix.
Torres : Track position is the name of the game. Hopefully, the race is a complete 180 from the spring race. That does factor into my decision making of who I’m confident and who I’m worried about on race day.
Although 11 points above the cutoff line, Chase Elliott doesn’t concern me in terms of missing the Championship 4. The problem is that he’s not been consistent in these Playoffs and heavily depended on the amount of Playoff points he racked up in the regular season.
Fortunately, Hendrick Motorsports has a knack at “The Paperclip” and I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Elliott rolls off second and doesn’t have a target on his back like Ross Chastain, who is four points ahead of Elliott, does. Remember, there’s Denny Hamlin to think about. So yeah, Elliott is the one I’m confident he’ll fight for a second Cup title in three years next Sunday.
At first, I liked William Byron’s odds of making the Championship 4. If the last trip in Martinsville was any indicator, he’ll be tough to beat. However, track position is again paramount and with him rolling off 25th, this raises some huge alarms.
He’s only five points to the good going into the cutoff race and not having a great start to his weekend soured me in terms of liking his chances. The Power of Fugle must come through big for Byron to be in the mix for the championship.
Why do I say “The Power of Fugle?” Crew chief Rudy Fugle tends to find a way to score big. Look no further than Texas 2019 when Greg Biffle won at Texas. Fugle played a big role in that victory. If the power doesn’t come through, qualifying will be the downfall of Byron’s title hopes.
Two laps around Martinsville had us somewhat holding our breath. Now, let us breathe a bit by rewinding to last Sunday’s Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Race 34 of 36 of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season!
It was a great day for the Bonaventure brothers.
It was a great race for yours truly.
Next, here is our top 10 starters for Sunday’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville!
Row 1
Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Row 2
Chase Briscoe and Brad Keselowski (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Row 3
Cole Custer and Brad Keselowski (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Row 4
Daniel Suárez and Kevin Harvick (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Row 5
Ross Chastain and Harrison Burton (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Lastly, here is our picks for Sunday’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville!
It’s a couple of Hendrick Motorsports drivers versus Denny Hamlin. (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Torres : The Playoff rut for Chase Elliott will come to an end at Martinsville. It hasn’t been the smoothest run for Elliott after winning the regular season title. But he’ll be saving the best when it matters most and will punch his ticket to Phoenix with another grandfather clock to his name. It helps that he’s starting in the front row and with this car at Martinsville, not a bad spot to be.
Shoppe : Just like his championship season, Chase Elliott will win Martinsville and lock up his place in the Championship 4!
Sisoler : My pick last week hurt me, but hopefully, Chase Elliott can ride his strong practice and qualifying efforts here into a win heading into the final race of the season at Phoenix!
Lambeth : Last year, Denny Hamlin lost the Martinsville fall race, after spinning off the front bumper of Alex Bowman. This year, I believe Hamlin will secure the victory that got away and lock himself into the Championship 4!
Tiongson : Give Kyle Larson at least one reason to battle for a victory and that is typically enough for me to choose him for Sunday’s race at Martinsville. As he looks to build momentum for an owner’s championship battle next Sunday at Phoenix, look for the driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy Camaro to be a fifth player during an important day at the paperclip!
Sharpe : Larson has been dominant the past few weeks.
We’re ready for some racing. How about you? What do you think are the biggest storylines heading into the race? Who are your favorites to win? Tweet us now @ThePodiumFinish and tell us now!
Thanks as always to the TPF team for their amazing efforts this week! While we progress toward a new kind of normal, please do your part to curb the impacts of the pandemic by washing your hands and getting your COVID-19 vaccine or booster. By working together, we can minimize the threat of COVID-19 for ourselves, our loved ones and neighbors.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in Podium Preview are solely of the authors. They do not reflect any organizations affiliated with the participants and author outside of TPF. This weekly feature is strictly for entertainment purposes. Ultimately, they are not indicative of TPF, the organization and its staff.
Lastly, if you are in the hunt for the latest and greatest Lionel Racing NASCAR die-cast cars, head on over to Spoiler Diecast! If you spend $20 or more to purchase in-stock and/or preorder items, you can save 5% off your order total and get free shipping with promo code “TPF!” Head to the winner’s circle with Spoiler Diecast right now!
