NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass picks JGR’s driver as favorite to win Martinsville race

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoff season heads to the 0.526-mile short oval track for Sunday’s Xfinity 500. Ahead of the Martinsville race, NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass shared his prediction, picking the winner, top-five finishes, and longshot to win the elimination race of the Round of 8 playoff season.

Pockrass picked Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Martin Truex Jr. to take the checkered flag at Martinsville. Truex Jr. is in his final full-time Cup season as he will retire from full-time racing after two weeks. He will start from pole on Sunday and will look to secure his first win of the season to end his career on a high note.

Rounding out Pockrass’ top-five predictions are Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and the defending NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney. Larson, Elliott, and Blaney are below the cutline and in danger of getting eliminated from the playoffs. He also selected Todd Gilliland as a longshot prospect.

On X, Pockrass wrote:

“My pick for Cup race today at Martinsville: Truex ... top-5: Truex Bell Larson Elliott Blaney ... longshot: Gilliland”

Martin Truex Jr. has done well at the 0.526-mile Martinsville track. He has collected three wins, 10 top-five, and 16 top-10 finishes with an average of 16.0 in 37 starts at this track.

Meanwhile, Kyle Larson is the favorite to win on Sunday. If he manages to do so, the #5 HMS driver will directly advance to the Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway. He is currently placed third in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings, seven points above the cutline.

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Kevin Harvick picks Chase Elliott to win Martinsville NASCAR's playoff race

Former driver-tuned commentator Kevin Harvick picks 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott as a favorite to win Round of 8’s elimination race at Martinsville.

Elliott is coming off a top-five finish and will start from front row on Sunday. He is in a must win situation as the #9 HMS drivers is 43 points below the cutline.

In a recent episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, when his co-host Kaitlyn Vincie asked to give his prediction for this Martinsville race, Harvick said:

“I'm going to go with Chase Elliott. I think he's just reaching his, the end of his wick as far as, you know, the aggression level. And I just keep seeing it tick up a little bit. And with that aggression level, it keeps seeing the front of the pack and we've led some laps now. I think he's got it in him and, uh, they've done a great job”

Catch Cup Series drivers and teams in action at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, November 3 at 2 pm ET. The event will be telecast on NBC Sports.