Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 Odds, Predictions, and Picks

Martin Truex Jr. Favorite At Richmond

NASCAR drivers will run on the 0.526-mile Martinsville Speedway when the flag drops for the Saturday night race beginning around 7:30 PM ET. This track has 12-degree turns but has pan-flat straightaways.

There are few drivers like Martin Truex Jr. when it comes to these short-tracks. Last week. the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was right in it until the end. He just did not have the speed or the tires at the end. That being said, the No. 19 car still finished in fourth place.

Currently, Truex Jr. is at +550 odds (+450 at Caesars). Teammate Denny Hamlin now stands at +800 (+600 at Caesars Sportsbook). Some shorter odds exist on Caesars Sportsbook, but a few longer shots lurk around +3000 like Brad Keselowski.

Now, what will happen at Martinsville under the lights?

They needed a big day. They got it.
All four Joe Gibbs Racing cars finished in the top 10 Sunday.
Denny Hamlin – 1st
Kyle Busch – 9th
Martin Truex Jr – 4th
Christopher Bell – 6th@NASCAR @JoeGibbsRacing @dennyhamlin @KyleBusch @MartinTruex_Jr @CBellRacing @RichmondRaceway pic.twitter.com/6gydqRbzD8

— William Nagel (@William_Nagel_) April 5, 2022

The expectation is all four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers could be at or near the top ten on Saturday night. That would be led by Truex Jr. this time around but one never knows with Denny Hamlin (Virginia native).

Recent Winners

The race is usually 500 laps but this year, it is just 400. Now, the last time Martinsville saw overtime was in 2012.

Can Joe Gibbs Keep It Rolling Over Team Penske?

Sports bettors were relieved last week. The Joe Gibbs Racing drivers begin their rise in the NASCAR Cup Series odds, and Martin Truex Jr. remains near Ryan Blaney in the points. All four JGR drivers have good history on the Martinsville track.

Then, there is Team Penske. The three drivers (until Brad Keselowski left to form RFK Racing) have three of the top four places when it comes to driver result the past three seasons.

This week's @NBCSports #NASCAR Power Rankings are in, and the top spot belongs to Ryan @Blaney.

Check out who's on the rise and who's trending downward after @RichmondRaceway:https://t.co/xJZllKGDH8

— Zach Sturniolo (@zachstur) April 5, 2022

This shapes up to be some battle between the two teams. Can Ryan Blaney finally win his first race of the 2022 season? After all, he leads the Cup series in points and it would make 8-for-8 for races this year. Joey Logano and Austin Cindric are somewhat intriguing on the track just because of the build.

Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 Predictions & Picks

This is the first race under the lights and also the debut of Friday qualifying for 2022. Now, expect a good deal of fun and some different strategies this weekend.

I have no doubt that Ryan Blaney will have a great Martinsville finish. However at a $10,900 DK price tag he is going to have to hop out front and dominate to be a viable DFS play. He’s led over 100 laps twice, both in the spring – 2021 and 2018

— Steven Brimer (@BrimerDFS) April 7, 2022

With Brad Keselowski at +3000 and Kevin Harvick hovering around +2500, they are fun longer shots than usual. For a deep deep sleeper, Bubba Wallace and Kurt Busch could even compete for the “Grandfather Clock”. Google that trophy, it’s something else.

The stage format is 80-100-220 for laps.  Watch the “paperclip”, expect a lot of cautions, and plenty of the unexpected.

Here are our best bets:

• Top Pick: Martin Truex Jr. to win (+550)
• Middle Shooters: Christopher Bell (+1600),  Kevin Harvick (+2500)
• Longshots: Kurt Busch (+4000), Bubba Wallace (+12500 – Barstool)