There are eight drivers that remain as contenders in the Playoffs as NASCAR goes Short Trackin’ at Martinsville Speedway in the First Data 500.
Winning a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville comes with one of the most unique trophies in the sport, a custom grandfather clock. There is something that is even bigger for the Round of Eight drivers that are still in the post-season for the Cup Series. If one of those eight drivers win the race, along with the clock comes an automatic advance to the final race of the year with a shot to become the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
Of course the drivers not in contention will be looking to claim the clock for themselves. Mix that with NASCAR racing on a short track and things could get interesting and dramatic during the race while cars beat and bang on each other.
Drivers need to have patience to advance on the track. They need to keep their tempers in check so they don’t take unnecessary chances that result in a mistake. Those mistakes often end in a crash when NASCAR is on the short track. The bigger picture is that often drivers are removed from a chance to win the race by a mistake made by another driver. That’s where tempers tend to get out of control and payback can cause even more accidents.
Here is a look at what the drivers and teams will be dealing with at Martinsville Speedway and in the First Data 500.
Martinsville Speedway Data
Track Size: 0.526-mile
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 12 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 12 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 0 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 0 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 800 feet
Backstretch Length: 800 feet
First Data 500 Data
Season Race #: 33 of 36 (10-28-18)
Race Length: 500 laps / 263 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 130 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 240 laps
Which of the active drivers have performed well at Martinsville during their careers? Here’s a look at the top active drivers at the track in NASCAR’s top division.
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Martinsville
Jimmie Johnson…………………… 114.6
Denny Hamlin……………………… 106.3
Kyle Busch…………………………. 103.5
Brad Keselowski……………………. 96.6
Kevin Harvick……………………….. 94.2
Joey Logano…………………………. 92.4
Clint Bowyer…………………………. 91.3
Matt Kenseth………………………… 89.2
Ryan Blaney…………………………. 89.2
Ryan Newman………………………. 85.2
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2018 races (27 total) among active drivers at Martinsville Speedway.
Driver names in red are contenders in the Round of Eight.
Jimmie Johnson has been eliminated from the playoffs. He has not won a race this season so far. Jimmie could be considered the “Master of Martinsville” since he has collected NINE Martinsville Grandfather Clocks during his career. There is no doubt that he will be doing everything possible to get his tenth and score his first win of the 2018 Cup Series season.
Denny Hamlin has also been eliminated from championship contention. Denny has five victories at Martinsville. He is also without a 2018 win. Perhaps he can change that this weekend.
The only other drivers with multiple wins during their careers in NASCAR top division at Martinsville are brothers. Kyle Busch won this race last year to bring him up to a tie with Kurt Busch with two grandfather clocks at their respective homes. Both Kyle and Kurt are still in the hunt for this year’s championship. Both will be racing hard to edge out the other brother in Martinsville win total AND earn the automatic advance to the championship race.
Two of the four drivers with a single Martinsville win on their resumes are still NASCAR Playoff drivers. Kevin Harvick and the winner of the 2018 spring race at the track Clint Bowyer will be racing to add to their clock collection and more importantly advance to the championship race for this year’s title.
Brad Keselowski was just eliminated from the post-season and Ryan Newman failed to make the playoffs this season. However, both have won a single race at Martinsville. They will be doing what they can to make a statement by playing spoiler to the eight drivers still racing for the championship.
There will be side-by-side and bumper-to-bumper racing this weekend. There will be drivers who lose their patience with other drivers. Will there be crashes as a result of mistakes and tempers? Will there be multiple car incidents? Will any of the incidents change the playoff picture for drivers in the Round of Eight?
We will find out when the green flag waives Sunday, October 28th at 1:30 pm central time (2:30 pm eastern time) to start the First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
By: Buck Stevens
