NASCAR Martinsville predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race

[ASFN Admin]

The NASCAR Cup Series moves on to Martinsville for the first race of the year at the paper clip, the Cook Out 400 on March 29.

Martinsville will be a test for the new increased horsepower package for short-track races.

A couple things to watch: Tyler Reddick is aiming for his fifth win in seven races to start the season. And Chevrolet is winless through six races with its new body.

Here are The Tennessean's expert picks for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville:

CUP POINITS: NASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Darlington race

NASCAR predictions for Martinsville Cup Series race: Here's who wins the Cook Out 400​

Mike Organ's pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota​

The NASCAR tour is headed to Martinsville, the oldest venue on the 2026 schedule, so it makes since the oldest driver, Denny Hamlin, 45, should be the favorite, right? Not necessarily because of his advanced age, but because Hamlin has had the most success - six wins in 40 starts - at Martinsville among the current field. He won there in the spring of 2025 and will win again this week.

Nick Gray's pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet​

Picking a Chevy is probably not good idea at the moment, but Larson has been running well lately regardless. Last week, Larson's late-race issue after hitting the wall cost him a decent finish at Darlington.

Tom Kreager's pick: Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford​

Blaney has won twice at Martinsville over the past three years. Toyotas surely can't win every race and Blaney has found a way to be competitive most weeks. He's got four top-five finishes over the past six races as well. The question: What would he do with another grandfather clock?

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Martinsville predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race

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