Overview
- Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe are already locked into the Championship 4 after wins at Las Vegas and Talladega.
- Christopher Bell at +37 and Kyle Larson at +36 stand to advance on points if no below-cut driver wins the Xfinity 500.
- Team Penske’s Joey Logano (-38) and Ryan Blaney (-47) are effectively in must-win territory after Talladega fuel gambles drew criticism from Hamlin.
- Hamlin labeled Blaney and Chase Elliott (-62) as “wild cards” for Martinsville, with analysts forecasting a defensive approach from Joe Gibbs Racing to hinder Penske.
- Strategy variables include a new left-side tire for Martinsville, with Blaney the betting favorite and NBC airing Sunday’s race at 2 p.m. ET.