STP 500 2016: Preview and predictions

What’s on tap for the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday?

After a week off, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series gets back running this week at Martinsville Speedway for some short-track racing. When NASCAR last ran at the 2016 Auto Club 400, it was Jimmie Johnson who came away with the win.

Just when it looked like Harvick would be picking up his second win in a row, Johnson passed him during overtime with incredible speed and became the first driver on the season to win two races. With his two wins, Johnson has a lot of momentum heading into Martinsville and should be a race favorite.

The last time NASCAR was at Martinsville, it was November and Jeff Gordon won the final race of his career at the track. It was also the day that Matt Kenseth infamously took out Joey Logano and the feud between the two was born.

Thanks to the narrow half-mile track racing, Martinsville sees a lot of bumping and a lot of tempers flaring on the track. For the second race in a row, the fifth spot in the Chase is up for grabs and there’s a chance that a new driver could be entering the Chase this week.

However, with the strength of the drivers that have already won this season, there exists the chance that a new driver once again will not get in this week.

Race Notes

Track: Martinsville Speedway
Date/Start Time: Sunday, April 3, 2016 1:00 p.m. ET
TV Info: FS1
Laps: 500

Who’s hot and who’s not heading into the 2016 STP 500?

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