Top Xfinity 500 Fantasy Live Picks

Picks for your Fantasy Live and Head-to-Head for the Martinsville Playoff race.

In a last-lap pass, TYLER REDDICK secured his first-ever championship four-birth last weekend at Homestead. For the eliminator race this week, Martinsville once again plays host to a half-mile oval that is very narrow, which tends to lead to a lot of creative passing, which includes the infamous bump and run move. This rough track surface and Goodyear brought a new tire for the Cup series.

Strategy

Uses

There are only two races left; only five guys I am saving their last use for Phoenix: Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, and Kyle Larson. Otherwise, for any driver, if you are down to your last use, I would consider using your last use here. Of course, if you have more than one use, use them where you see fit.

Strategy

While Goodyear introduced a new tire to Martinsville, there is no difference in the plays. It is vital to use the drivers who are good on Martinsville in the Next-Gen era and other flat, short tracks. The pit road being narrower will further emphasize the crews' quickness and efficiency.

Drivers

Joey Logano

Joey Logano has already advanced into the championship four. However, he has not stopped being competitive at Martinsville. In the week, Joey was ranked sixth for Next-Gen Martinsville speeds and has the best average finish. In practice, Joey did not look competitive but did manage to qualify twelfth, barely missing out on the second round of qualifying. Joey should look to build momentum as he heads to Phoenix to compete for a championship.

Alex Bowman

Bowman once again finished in the top ten last weekend at Homestead. Alex has been excellent at Martinsville, with two top-ten results in the previous three races. Alex has shown the speed recently at Las Vegas and Homestead, albeit this week is a different package. However, in qualifying, he showed up by qualifying seventh and should stay within the top ten.

Sleepers

Ty Gibbs is probably the best sleeper on the board. He showed top-five pace in practice and backed it up with a fifth-place qualifying spot. Gibbs qualified well last year with a second-place finish but got dumped by Joey and only managed to finish eighteenth after sustaining some damage. Bubba and Denny would be the following best sleepers. Both drivers showed good pace in practice but started further back, with Bubba in 19th and Denny starting last after wrecking In practice. Hamlin has the third fastest car, so you would think he is a top player, but after his wreck, who knows how good his car will be? However, they did not go to a backup and have the exact vehicle from practice but with new fenders and a rear clip. The issue with Hamlin will be how fast he climbs from last before stalling out or getting lapped.

Preece, Berry, and Todd are some other Fords starting in the top fifteen that I feel confident in that could stay in the top fifteen. All three have either had past good results at Martinsville, have good speed in practice, or both. After his Richmond win, Austin Dillon, which didn’t count, has qualified tenth and could once again show his Richmond speed here at Martinsville.

Lineup

Riskier lineup

Tier List

Head-to-Head Matchups

Christopher Bell vs Denny Hamlin

While Bell has the better starting spot and did not wreck his car this weekend, this does not mean he is the better car this weekend. I like Hamlin; they did not go to a backup car and kept their original vehicle. Hamlin seemed quicker than Bell in practice and should be able to move up from last in the field. Pick him if you like the Hot streak Bell has been on and think he can finish higher than Hamlin. I will say that Bell should outscore Hamlin, but Denny will finish higher.

William Byron vs Kyle Larson

While I think both should be in your lineup, I like Larson a bit more because he has shown the ability to run better and more consistently at Martinsville than Byron. While Byron is a two-time track winner, Larson has better long-run speed in practice and should outrun Byron. If you think Byron will continue his hot streak of finishing, then go with Byron.

Chase Elliott vs Ryan Blaney

While Blaney is the more consistent driver than Elliott, Chase seems to have brought a more competitive setup than in past Martinsville races and is my pick. Blaney did match Chase's long-run speed, so both should be in your lineup. They will be looking to make the round of four and will need a good finish and good points.

Martin Truex Jr. vs Chase Briscoe

While Truex has the better car based on practice, in the last two Martinsville races, he started in the top ten but finished outside of the top ten with an eighteenth and twelfth. Briscoe is good at Martinsville, with all five finishes within the top ten. I like Briscoe more and will take him over the chalky MTJ; he should also be in your lineup. If you think MTJ’s speed will hold tomorrow, then pick MTJ.