Stat Pack: 2024 Cup Series XFINITY 500 Preview
@ Martinsville Speedway (0.53 mi)
Picks
Depending on your favorite metric, either Denny Hamlin or Kyle Larson is the top short track driver in 2024. Hamlin's got the best net rating, which for me is the king of metrics, as it measures the ability of drivers to get past others. He's also got the best average running position, and no small matter: three wins in the nine short track races this year.
Larson on the other hand has best average finish (T-1 with Chase Elliott at a flat 8.00) and the most positions gained above expected. He's got the best adjusted average speed (T-1 again, this time with Martin Truex). Wherever Hamlin leads, Larson is nearby, and vice-versa.
Hamlin effectively needs a win to advance. His points situation is dire. Of the three needs-win drivers, he has the best chance. However, Elliott and Ryan Blaney, who also need wins, are also in the top handful of drivers on short tracks. And so is Christopher Bell, who may be the only safe-ish driver not locked into the final four.
For each of the six on the outside, they have little edge over the others. Any of them could win. With so much on the line, this race is unpredictable.
Via the Lap Raptor race preview page...
Recent Races at Martinsville
- 2024 Cook Out 400 (Apr 7, 2024): RESULTS | ANALYTICS | LOOP DATA
- 2023 Xfinity 500 (Oct 29, 2023): RESULTS | ANALYTICS | LOOP DATA
- 2023 NOCO 400 (Apr 16, 2023): RESULTS | ANALYTICS | LOOP DATA
- 2022 Xfinity 500 (Oct 30, 2022): RESULTS | ANALYTICS | LOOP DATA
- 2022 Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 (Apr 9, 2022): RESULTS | ANALYTICS | LOOP DATA
Links
- Past loop data at Martinsville Speedway: LAST SEASON | NEXT GEN | IN DATABASE
- Past loop data on similar tracks (short): THIS SEASON | LAST SEASON | NEXT GEN | IN DATABASE
- Analytics at Martinsville Speedway: LAST SEASON | NEXT GEN | IN DATABASE
- Analytics on similar tracks (short): THIS SEASON | LAST SEASON | NEXT GEN | IN DATABASE