Last week, everything about the race was out of the drivers' hands.  The restrictor plate racing that happened at Talladega was about finding the right dancing partner to move to the front, and when to make that move.

Unfortunately, many of the drivers chosen were the victims of accidents, or made the move too late, resulting in a bad finish.

Not one writer finished in the top-15, leaving everyone frustrated, but also leaving the standings closer than they have been all year.  What an appropriate time to visit a short track.

This coming Sunday is a track that is the shortest on the circuit, and is only a one-groove track.  On the one hand, a short track means everything is in the drivers' hands, and also could lead to some fun payback later in the laps.  The cars themselves start the afternoon clean and gorgeous, but often end with dings in fenders, dents in bumpers, and donuts on the door panels.

Those aren't bad though, more like badges of honor.

But at the same time, having such a short track also means that one mistake puts a driver laps down, and little time to make it up.  Under green-flag conditions, a pit stop takes two laps, and if a caution flies, things get dicey.

It's the perfect kind of racing following a frustrating week.

So, after all the craziness of Talladega, how does one choose a driver for victory at the Martinsville Speedway?  That's what the writers needed to do this week, and their decisions are final.  Here's a look at the picks for the Tums Fast Relief 500:

 

Misan Ayuka:  Denny Hamlin

It's been a hard chase for this 11 team but after two back to back top-10s they could slavage something.  His stats here speak for themsleves; he should be strong.

 

James Broomhead:  Jeff Gordon

No reason given.

 

Kelly Crandall:  Jimmie Johnson

While I still don't believe that he's going to win a sixth championship this year, he's still one of the drivers to beat at Martinsville and he'll be looking to knock down his 50 point deficit this weekend.

 

Billy Fellin:  Denny Hamlin

If he's going to get a win in the Chase, it'll be here at Martinsville. Along with Pocono and Richmond, Hamlin is money at Martinsville.

Yes, this team has struggled, but they've pulled it together before and I think they'll do it again here.

 

Michael Hirshbein:  Jeff Gordon

No reason given.

 

Christopher Leone:  Matt Kenseth

No reason given.

 

Kara Martin:  Jeff Gordon

No reason given.

 

Ryan O'Hara:  Kyle Busch

He is the man for this weekend....party it up boys!

 

Dustin Parks:  Kevin Harvick

There is a reason why I didn't pick Happy at a track where he's very good, being Talladega.  I couldn't risk it with everything out of his control.  Look what happened...he wrecked, finished 32nd, and is now in a big hole for the title.

So, I elected to go with him at a track that he won at earlier this year.  Yes it is a harder gamble, but at the same time a little short-track racing has been good for Harvick, and considering he's not afraid to use that chrome horn, I'm looking for big things from "The Closer" on Sunday.

 

Sal Sigala Jr:  Kevin Harvick

No reason given, although his response in the email was worth an extreme amount of laughter.

 

Rob Tiongson:  Clint Bowyer

What the heck, the points are tight and I'm still saving up on some of my arsenal of Chasers before this season's yet done. And lately, Bowyer's been tearing it up on the track. Hopefully, he won't tear up sheet metal.

 

Standings following Talladega:

Rob Tiongson (2216) Kevin Harvick finished 32nd (3)

Sal Sigala Jr. (2214) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 25th (5)

Dustin Parks (2213) Jeff Gordon finished 27th (1)

Christopher Leone (2213) Jamie McMurray finished 29th (4)

Billy Fellin (2212) Kevin Harvick finished 32nd (3)

James Broomhead (2211) Matt Kenseth finished 18th (2)

Misan Ayuka (2210) Jamie McMurray finished 29th (4)

Michael Hirshbein (2206) Jamie McMurray finished 29th (6)

Ryan O'Hara (2206) Kevin Harvick finished 32nd (2)

Kara Martin (2196) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 25th (1)

Kelly Crandall (2190) Kevin Harvick finished 32nd (4)

 

Final Thoughts:  The "Paper Clip" has provided many unexpected, and some extremely exciting moments over the years.  This Sunday's race will just add another chapter to the rich history of the short 0.526-mile track.

It's famous for it's hot dogs, but it's the racing that really brings in the crowds.

The quest for victory goes green on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

 

Summary of Picks:

Jeff Gordon-3

Denny Hamlin-2

Kevin Harvick-2

Kyle Busch-1

Clint Bowyer-1

Jimmie Johnson-1

Matt Kenseth-1