Martinsville Betting Preview: 2020 Blue-Emu 500

Denny Hamlin is a five-time winner at Martinsville.

NASCAR Cup Series
Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
TV/Time: FS1, 7:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Martinsville Speedway
Location: Martinsville, Virginia

We get a bonus NASCAR snack on Wednesday night under the lights of Martinsville Speedway with 500 laps around the flat half-mile paperclip, all thanks to the pandemic that shut down the USA. NASCAR has to make up dates to complete the 36 race schedule and auto racing bettors will be gearing up for more action.

While the other sports are figuring out their game plans for 2020, NASCAR will be running its seventh race in just over three weeks since coming back on May 17.

So instead of watching the NBA Finals or a Dodgers-Braves game on a weeknight, I get a NASCAR race at one of the most exciting tracks on the circuit. It’ll be the third time NASCAR will be racing on a weekday and the last until the All-Star race on July 15.

The Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 will be the 11th race on the schedule, but only the third using the race package with engines producing 750 horsepower. The first race using it was at Phoenix Raceway where Joey Logano won, but three other drivers led more laps. The second time using it was May 31 at Bristol Motor Speedway with another Team Penske driver Brad Keselowski winning.

Of course, Phoenix and Bristol race nothing like Martinsville, but it’s the performance of the cars in those races that should be a starting point for Martinsville. Then we should look at past history and recent performances on the track. Several drivers have proven to have a knack for racing in the tight confines.

It wasn’t that long ago when we could be Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon or Denny Hamlin to win the race and cash with one of them. But 10 of the last 12 races have been won by a different driver, including the last five. It’s wide-open. But each of last year’s winners led at least 446 laps, although I remember the races being entertaining despite it.

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