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NASCAR: Five predictions for Martinsville Fall Race

By Dustin Smith

MARTINSVILLE, VA - APRIL 02: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, lead the field to green during a restart during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on April 2, 2017 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
MARTINSVILLE, VA - APRIL 02: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, lead the field to green during a restart during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on April 2, 2017 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, KS – OCTOBER 22: Chase Elliott drives the #24 NAPA Chevrolet (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KS – OCTOBER 22: Chase Elliott drives the #24 NAPA Chevrolet (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Martinsville Prediction #2 – Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr. will not have good days.

For the most part, there would not be many race fans who at the beginning of the season would have guessed Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr. would be knocking at the door of a championship. However, all three are currently in the third round of the playoffs and pushing to stay alive and advance to the fourth and final round.

Chase Elliott

In just his second full season, Chase Elliott is showing the NASCAR world that he belongs in the Cup Series. Although he has not driven to a win in 2017, he has managed to make it to the Round of 8 and is one round away from being a finalist. Unfortunately, he may not have a great day in Martinsville. Sure, he finished 3rd earlier this season at Martinsville, but this weekend might be different. There is way more on the line at this point in the season and the guess would be that he struggles on Sunday.

Ryan Blaney

Similarly to Elliott, Ryan Blaney too is a pleasant surprise to make the Round of 8. Unlike Elliott though, Blaney did not finish very well at Martinsville in April. He finished 25th and two laps down. Fans can expect the same this weekend. Be prepared to see him finish equal to his April finish or worse on Sunday. He will put himself in a significant points hole in the playoff race as well.

Martin Truex Jr.

It might be crazy, but at some point Martin Truex Jr. needs to cool off. He has without a doubt been the best driver in the 2017 playoffs. However, his April Martinsville finish of 16th  place is anything but impressive. Chances are he will go out and have a so-so day, or he will dominate and lap the entire field and win yet another playoff race. The prediction, however, is that Truex Jr. will not have a great day.

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