2011 Goody’s 500 Post-Practice Predictions, Picks and Preview – Favorites and Sleepers to Win 2011 Goody’s 500:Sunday’s Cup Series race at Martinsville will feature 500 laps around NASCAR’s smallest and slowest track. Needless to say, being able to turn one or two fast laps isn’t going to mean much over the course of a long afternoon. Drivers that can maintain a steady pace throughout the entire afternoon are going to be around when the money is on the line. A pair of Friday practices gave teams a chance to search for that long-run consistency, and a few drivers appear to have an edge on the competition.
Post-Practice Top 5
Kevin Harvick: He is coming off a win last weekend in Fontana and a career-best third-place finish in his last start at Martinsville, Harvick delivered a strong performance in practice. He posted the second-best average speed in the practice, and he followed it up with the third-best average speed in Happy Hour. At a track that is notorious for long runs, his consistent lap times should have him at the front Sunday.
Mark Martin: Martin was the model of consistency in practice, ranking inside the top-12 in all categories in all sessions. More importantly, he posted the second and third-best 10-lap average speeds in the two practices. Martin has finished seventh or better in three of his four starts at Martinsville with Hendrick Motorsports. Last fall, he finished second. Martin appears to have a car capable of contending for a win once again.
Jamie McMurray: He was solid in the opening session, posting the fourth-best average speed and ninth-best 10-lap average speed. McMurray really turned it on in Happy Hour, posting the top 10-lap average speed and the second-best overall average speed. McMurray has flirted with wins at Martinsville in the past, and this could be the year he finally cashes in.
Jimmie Johnson: The six-time Martinsville winner knows how to get around the paperclip-shaped track, and it showed during practice Friday. He posted the fourth-best 10-lap average speed in the opening session and the seventh-best 10-lap average speed in the final practice. Johnson has finished in the top-five in 13 of his 16 starts at Martinsville, making him a near lock to be in the mix for a win Sunday.
Denny Hamlin: Although he didn’t have any eye-popping practice times, Hamlin did show the consistency needed to win a 500-lap race at Martinsville. He ranked inside the top-15 in terms of average speed in both sessions, and there is no doubt that he knows what it takes to win Sunday. Hamlin is gunning for a four-peat at Martinsville, and he just might pull it off.
Post-Practice Top Sleeper
Joey Logano: His season has been marred by engine failures, but all signs point to a breakout day for Logano Sunday. He ranked seventh or better in terms of both average speed and 10-lap average speed in both practices Friday, and he is starting inside the top-five. Logano finished second and sixth at Martinsville last season, and pulling off an upset victory is a realistic possibility.
View the most current vegas betting odds to win the 2011 Goody’s Fast Relief 500 for this Sunday, April 3rd at Martinsville Speedway at 1PM EST on FOX TV.
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