NASCAR: 5 Predictions for the STP 500 at Martinsville

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Apr 1, 2017; Martinsville, VA, USA; A general view of the grandstands inside Martinsville Speedway during the Alpha Energy Solutions 250. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

NASCAR is headed to the smallest track on the schedule this Sunday for the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway. What will happen as drivers battle around this track? Here are five predictions for Sunday.

NASCAR is done with their west series tracks for now and is heading back to the east coast for some short track racing at Martinsville Speedway.

Martinsville is always one of the better tracks in the schedule, as short track racing often leads to angry drivers as one of the only ways to pass another driver is to bump them up the track and out of the way.

And no one likes to get shoved out of the way.

One of the biggest changes to NASCAR’s premiere series this year has been the addition of stages. We’ve seen how stages work at 1.5 mile tracks, but will they impact the short track racing at Martinsville?

Of course it’s hard to mention this track without talking about Jimmie Johnson and how good he is at this track. The 48 team hasn’t been running as well as fans might have expected, especially since they are the defending NASCAR champions, but will Martinsville be the turning point for this team and help them get back to running up front?

Who will win on Sunday after battling around Martinsville? Will we see a repeat winner or will another driver grab a playoff spot?

Before the race starts on Sunday, here are five predictions for the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

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