NASCAR Sprint Cup Preview - Tums Fast Relief 500

NASCAR Weekend Preview

Putting your money on anyone but Jimmie Johnson for the past two races would’ve given any NASCAR handicapper a stomachache. Thankfully, the Sprint Cup series swings to Martinsville for the Tums Fast Relief 500 this Sunday. However, NASCAR betting may still be as simple at playing the No. 48 car each weekend - Johnson is the most successful active driver at the Paperclip and is the wagering favorite at +200 in Virginia.

Johnson boats an average finish of 5.33 at Martinsville and is coming off two wins in his last two runs at the half-mile track. He's won six of his 15 career starts there, with 14 of those finishing in the Top 10. Johnson is riding a wave of momentum into the weekend. He has won the last two Chase events and has a 90-point lead over Hendrick teammate Mark Martin. As long as Johnson keeps racing like this, he'll have no trouble winning his fourth Cup championship in a row.

Another one of Johnson's Hendrick brethren is among the favorites for the Tums Fast Relief 500. NASCAR betting odds have Jeff Gordon priced at +500 this weekend. The No. 24 team is coming off a fourth-place finish at the NASCAR Banking 500 and has placed inside the Top 5 in three straight races. Gordon is almost as successful at Martinsville as his trusted teammate. In 33 career starts at the Paperclip, he has finished first seven times with 27 Top 10 showings and an average finish of 6.8.

Denny Hamlin is also set at +500 this Sunday. Despite the fact that Hamlin's chances of a Cup title have all but washed away, the No. 11 team is still a threat at Martinsville. In just nine career starts in his home state Hamlin has posted an average finish of 7.1 and has placed inside the Top 10 in all but one of those starts. Last weekend he placed 42nd due to engine problems, which followed a 37th-place showing at California which ended in an accident. While Hamlin knows his Chase chances are slim, some home cooking could get the youngster back on track.

Tony Stewart is another driver realizing the spread is getting too much to cover in the Chase for the Championship. Stewart, priced at +700 for this Sunday, is currently in fourth in the points standings but told reporters this week that even winning all five remaining races wouldn't guarantee a Cup title. He finished outside the Top 10 (13th) at Lowe's last weekend for the first time in three races. The No. 14 car has been off and on at Martinsville recently. He has three career wins there but has alternated Top-5 finishes with 26th and 13th-place showings in his last four trips to Virginia.

Other notables for Sunday include Juan Pablo Montoya at +1000, and Mark Martin at +1200.