RIDGEWAY, VA :: Most everyone else has submitted their picks and we’ve posted them and I like to think we saved the best for last. The rest of the RACE22 crew might not agree on that and after you read my picks you’ll see we don’t usually agree on anything. Of course that’s what makes it fun.
Let’s get after it. Starting with my First Timers, the guys I think could make the race for the first time because we all know there’s no feeling like the first time.
Kevin Parker – This guy is the epitome of everything that short track racing should be about. He doesn’t get to race much, not because his team is underfunded (which they are) but because he’s chasing more than just his racing dream as he is the lead singer of the group Madhouse (check them out if you can). Martinsville is in his backyard though, so they didn’t schedule any gigs this weekend and he’s ready to put his car in the race for the first time and after he found some speed in test two weeks ago, he could very well do just that.
Ricky Gillespie – What can I say, I’m probably a little biased. I watched this guy grow up at the race track, so of course I want to see good things happen to him. Well this weekend he could very well be one of the guys breaking into the race for the first time. He’s got Mike Darne helping him and I think that guy can point him in the right direction, I mean he did finish fifth last year.
Derrick Lancaster – There’s probably not another driver who’s had the kind of bad luck at Martinsville Speedway that Lancaster has had. He’s been so close to making it in the past but something always keeps him away from the feature. His brother made it in the race two years ago and now Derrick is chomping at the bit even more. However at Martinsville it doesn’t come down to speed or a good handling car. Making it in the race takes a lot luck and this year I think he can shake the bad luck and turn out pretty good.
Justin Crider – I’m not 100% sure if he’s ever attempted Martinsville (I don’t think so) but either way his impressive performances this season on the CARS Tour show that he might just get this underfunded team in the show. Crider has been impressive all season and with a little speed and a little luck we could be looking at this years Kyle Dudley. Dudley made the race through the heat race and drove all the way to a ninth place finish and Crider could very well do that.
Others ….. Patrick Coleman and Bobby McCarty
Dark Horses, the drivers who will likely make it and might just make a statement.
Thomas Scott – Making the race for the first time a couple of years ago isn’t enough for this young driver. He’s hungry for more and after getting half the car torn off last year and missing the show he’s even more determined to make the field. Making the field however might not be all that he does. He’s proven in trips to Motor Mile this season that he can hang with the “big dawgs” and I expect nothing less this weekend.
Kyle Dudley – He was the “First Timer” last fall and this weekend he’s looking to be a player in the battle at the front. Once known for his brash attitude and aggressive driving style, Dudley has molded himself into a cool, calm and collected racer. The change in driving style has him running good at every track he travels and with a win under his belt at Caraway, his confidence is riding high. A ninth place finish last year was nothing to sneeze at last year but this year he could be swapping paint with the front-runners and don’t think he’s forgot how to be aggressive if he needs to be in the closing laps.
Dennis Holdren – Turning 50 years old isn’t going to slow him down and might even make him step it up. Dennis Holdren had a good season at Ace Speedway. He’s been up and down over the years showing flashes of brilliance but this season he’s shown he can be consistent week in and week out. He’s always fast and this year he’s looking to making a statement and I think he could very well do it.
Contenders, the guys who will be up front and mixing it up for the win.
Lee Pulliam, Philip Morris, Timothy Peters, Tommy Lemons, Jake Crum – I’m going to go ahead and get these guys out of the way. Can I say anything that hasn’t already been said about these guys. They’ll be up front I’m sure.
Josh Berry – He’s another no brainer but his Martinsville finishes don’t show how good he’s been and this year he turned up the heat everywhere he went. Look for him to be at the front when the money is on the line.
Sam Yarbrough – He finished second last year and he was one of the fast cars at the test. He’s one of the best in Late Model Stock Car racing right now and he could very well flex his muscle this weekend.
Kres VanDyke – He was pretty much a bulldozer last year but he was fast even with a torn up race car. He’s won a lot of races this season and if Jamey Caudill doesn’t line up behind him at any point he should be in the mix.
Tommy Lemons, Jr. – He’s overlooked by most everyone else on the staff but he’s got a grandfather clock in his office that proves that he can get the job done. Like 2013 he’s been kind of quiet this year with only two wins on the season and that could mean he’s holding it all back for the big races. The competition should be worried about him this weekend.
Ryan Wilson – I know many are looking at this pick like “are you serious?” I’m serious. Ryan Wilson has been good at Martinsville. He’s finished in the top five before (4th in 2012) and he’s got something to drive for this weekend. Wilson’s grandfather passed away this week, a long-standing car owner in this region and a staple at Caraway Speedway since the beginning. Maybe I just want to see this happen but something tells me he’ll be up on the wheel and his team will be doing all they can to get him a win this weekend.
Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner ….
Matt Bowling – He’s been a contender before leading laps before something broke on his car and he’s proven everywhere else that he can race up front with anyone. He’s won pretty much everywhere he’s raced and this year will be his time to shine at Martinsville.
Well … that’s all I got. I’m sure you disagree with some of them and that’s what I wanted. Hopefully this gives you some insight on some of the guys who might not be named Pulliam and Morris.
