This week, West Virginia bettors will witness a familiar event with a twist in its timing.
In a presumed nod to the Easter holiday, NASCAR, a beloved Sunday tradition, is shifting its schedule to a day earlier.
The Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 race, held at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, is scheduled to be broadcasted on Fox at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
As of midweek, the following teams are the favorites according to the DraftKings Sportsbook WV.
- Martin Truex Jr. is offered at odds of +500 to win and +145 to finish in the Top 3.
- Chase Elliott has odds of +600 to win and +175 for a Top 3 finish.
- Brad Keselowski is listed at +600 odds to win and +175 odds for a Top 3 finish.
- Denny Hamlin is listed at +700 odds to win and +200 odds for a Top 3 finish.
- Joey Logano has odds of +700 to win and +200 to finish in the Top 3.
NASCAR betting at WV sportsbooks
Truex Jr. is the current titleholder in this competition, which is why his odds are favorable. Keselowski emerged victorious in this event back in 2019. Additionally, Kyle Busch, with odds of +1200, has achieved two wins in this particular competition.
Since February 9, the NASCAR circuit has been running every week without any repeated winners. Those who have bet against the previous week’s champion have consistently been proven correct.
As the winners change from week to week, there are specific drivers who consistently exhibit strong performance. Take note of these drivers when assessing stage victories and individual head-to-head matchups, especially when such betting options become available near race time.
Denny Hamlin currently holds the top position in the circuit’s point standings with 327 points. Trailing behind him are:
- Logano – 269
- Truex Jr. – 247
- Kyle Larson – 242
- Keselowski – 232
Every individual in this group has consistently achieved a position in the Top 10, and frequently even in the Top 5. It is up to each bettor to decide whether they see any worth in betting on a Top 5 position, which could potentially have negative odds.
Head-to-head matchups offer excellent value with odds that are nearly even.
About the venue
At a length of .526 miles, Martinsville holds the title for the NASCAR circuit’s shortest track. Its flat and narrow turns necessitate significant braking when entering turns and emphasize the significance of smooth acceleration when exiting them.
Every segment matters
Every finish in NASCAR holds great importance for the drivers as they contend in the playoffs, which are determined by both regular-season rankings and bonus points.
Each regular-season victory earns drivers a total of five bonus playoff points, while each stage win grants them an additional point. The allocation of playoff points for the top 10 regular-season point finishers follows a sliding scale, with the regular-season winner receiving 15 points and the 10th-place driver earning just one point.
At the onset of the playoffs, each driver commences with a base score of 2,000 points, alongside their corresponding bonuses.
Kevin Harvick, the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ reigning champion, dominated last year’s competition. Securing the top seed, he notched a regular-season championship with 15 playoff points, triumphed in seven races (earning 35 total playoff points), and claimed victory in seven stages, amounting to 7 additional playoff points. Ultimately, he accumulated an impressive total of 57 playoff points.
Harvick kicked off the postseason by accumulating 2,057 points, establishing a solid lead of 57 points over Matt DiBenedetto, who held the 16th seed. This occurred when the point totals were reset to 2,000 for all playoff drivers.
It is challenging for those at the bottom of the playoff ladder to secure victory due to the system’s emphasis on rewarding regular-season consistency.
However, being the regular-season champion does not assure one of winning the title. Last year, Chase Elliott managed to clinch the Cup Series championship. Despite starting the playoffs with 2020 points, he showcased his utmost skill and determination when it truly counted.
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