NEWSLETTER
Nascar is back on a short track this weekend for it’s first of two races at Martinsville Speedway. Drivers will have to navigate the short/tight corners which have granted the track the nickname The Paperclip. It’s been a two team race for the win here lately. But with more poor weather in the forecast, we might have some new teams entering the fold this Sunday. Check out my early NOCO 400 Picks and Predictions below.
Before diving into any pre-practice/qualifying bets, we have to mention that the Nascar golden boy is back. Yep, Chase Elliott is back in the no.9 car after a 6 race absence and finds himself among the favorites this week. Josh Berry moves back to Xfinity full time and HMS has it’s full stable of Cup drivers for a track it’s dominated the last couple of years.
NOCO 400 Picks – Pre-Practice/Qualifying Bets
Something to keep in mind surrounding Elliott is this will be his first time with the new downforce package. Considering we may see practice and possibly qualifying rained out yet again this year. Chase’s first on track time with the new short track setup may be raceday. He’s easily one of the best drivers in the sport, but add in the possible addition of wet conditions on Sunday, he’ll be at a slight disadvantage once we go green.
Ross Chastain +105 (DraftKings) over Kyle Busch Bet 2u to win 2.1u
Historically, Kyle Busch has the clear advantage in this matchup. But that was with JGR who has always been strong here. Even so, Chastain finished top 5 in both races last year, finishing ahead of Busch during his JGR swan song season.
Ross continued his short track improvement with Trackhouse at Richmond with a 3rd place run this year. 11 spots ahead of now RCR driver Kyle Busch. And, the watermelon man has topped KFB in three straight short track races dating back to Bristol last September.
Kevin Harvick Top 10 -140 (FanDuel) Bet 2u to win 1.43
Placing top 10s with odds under even money isn’t something I normally do. But with rain threatening to cancel practice and qualifying, and his current spot in the standings, I wanted to take a stab at Mr. Top 10 himself before the number crashes.
Harvick hasn’t been all that great at Martinsville the last few years posting just one top 10 since 2020. But over his last 11 races on The Paperclip, Kevin hasn’t finished worse than 17th.
He has top 5 runs at the two “shorter” tracks of Phoenix and Richmond this season. And the soon to be hall of famer has top 10s in all five non super speedway or road course races this year.
See the Top 10 bet I already bet HERE
We finally hit an outright with Christopher Bell taking the checkered flag last week at the Food City Dirt Race. Hopefully we’ll stay hot in Virginia in what could be Nascar’s wet weather package unveiling. Good luck on all your wagers and make sure to check back for all my NOCO 400 Picks, Predictions, and Best Bet later in the week.
Featured Image Credit: Stacy Revere/Getty Images
