Martinsville Preview

By Nate Ryan

The third round of the NASCAR playoffs will open at Martinsville Speedway, where playoff fireworks have been a hallmark of the past few seasons. Here are my Predictor app picks for the 0.526-mile track:

STAGES

First stage (Clint Bowyer, Matt DiBenedetto, Chase Elliott, Ryan Newman):

PICK: Elliott. He is building off runner-up finish at Kansas Speedway, needs points and runs well at Martinsville.

Second stage (Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr.):

PICK: Truex. He’s been among the best short-track drivers in NASCAR the past few years.

Third stage (Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson)

PICK: Hamlin. The playoffs have reinforced the feeling that this is his season.

Top 3 Overall:

1. Denny Hamlin: Hard to believe it’s been four and a half years since his last victory at this track.

2. Kyle Busch: The driver might not agree, but Kansas showed the No. 18 team has its mojo back.

3. Martin Truex Jr: Joe Gibbs Racing will make it a clean sweep of the top three.