2012 Goody's Fast Relief 500 Betting Selections & Fantasy Rankings

Southwest Virginia has blessed NASCAR with an absolutely beautiful day for today’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500. With highs in the mid 70s and only a minimal chance of rain, weather should not be a factor in today’s race--except for those who fail to apply sunblock. In my best DW impersonation I proclaim, “Let’s go racing boys!”

Below is NASCAR Mogul's top 10 fantasy rankings:

1. Kyle Busch - no wins for Kyle at Martinsville, but like the Big Bad Wolf, he has been knocking, kicking, huffing, puffing, and blowing at the door for some time now. Led the most laps here last year and is itching to place the beloved Martinsville grandfather clock on his mantle. Needs to find a way to finish.

2. Denny Hamlin - could moonlight as a office-supply store manager as dominant as he has raced at the famed half-mile paperclip. Rejuvenated with the introduction of Darien Grubb as his 2012 crew chief, also a Virginia native, the two may dominate today’s race--Commonwealth style.

3. Jeff Gordon - a top-five machine at Martinsville. Crazy fast in the last race here, and crazy fast in practice. Car looked well in the track and very balanced in practice. Enough said.

4. Jimmie Johnson - appeared to completely ignore pacing any laps in qualifying trim in Friday’s first practice, which placed him in an ugly spot in the starting line up. No worries. Jimmie finding his way to the front is one of the only guarantees in NASCAR.

5. Brad Keselowski - taking a bit of a gamble with this one. Practiced fairly well here in the fall race, but went backwards almost immediately from the drop of the green. Brad is gaining more and more experience here, and we think he figures it out today.

6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Confidence, confidence, confidence.

7. Kevin Harvick - is a favorite to win, and it would not surprise. Like Gordon, his car looked great in practice. Well into the track, little tipping, and fast on the long runs.

8. Martin Truex Jr. - gets around this loop pretty well. Hoping to carry over the great finish Michael Waltrip Racing found at our last short-track visit in Bristol.

9. Kasey Kahne - seems like our pole sitter is the fastest car each week down the straightaways, but not so much in the corners. Car is quick, but looked a bit erratic in practice and on the qualifying run. May have a tough time racing through traffic.

10. Ryan Newman - can the pupil show up the master today?

Below are NASCAR Mogul's wagering selections for today’s race:

Shop around. Spreading three units on Kyle Busch (+700), Denny Hamlin (+500), and Jeff Gordon. (+850) to win. We’re still exploring some head-to-head match ups, and will update our plays til the drop of the green flag. The following are our wagers as of now:

Jeff Burton #31 -105* vs Joey Logano #20
Juan Pablo Montoya #42 +115* vs AJ Allmendinger #22
Dale Earnhardt Jr #88 -115* vs Clint Bowyer #15
Martin Truex Jr* #56 +320 vs. Allmendinger, Burton, Biffle, Kenseth
Martin Truex Jr #56 -120* vs Jamie McMurray #1
Greg Biffle #16 -120* vs AJ Allmendinger #22
Kyle Busch #18 +115* vs Jimmie Johnson #48


Updated spreadsheet