With just two race weekends left, NASCAR arrived at Martinsville Speedway with all three series looking to determine their respective top four drivers for the championship run in Phoenix. Here is a manipulation-free look at some of the top underdogs from Martinsville.
Craftsman Truck Series / ZIP Buy Now, Pay Later 200
Stewart Friesen (#52 HALMAR-Friesen Racing Toyota):Â In a roller coaster season where Friesen and his HFR team have raced to maintain a top 15 point standing, Martinsville showed a glimmer of hope. Starting from 20th, Friesen had a relatively drama free day and finished 10th. This was just the seventh Top 10 this season for usual playoff contender Friesen.
Dawson Sutton (#25 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet):Â Series newcomer Sutton made his fourth start in Rackley W.A.R.’s #25 truck in Martinsville with another strong showing. Following his 24th place starting spot, the short track ace wheeled his way to a 15th place finish. After taking over the #25 entry late in the season, it was announced Sutton would be returning to the seat full-time in 2025.
Matt Mills (#42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet):Â Mills and his #42 team have had a rough go of things in 2024. Following being hospitalized briefly after an accident in Homestead, Mills returned to the seat in Martinsville and brought his J.F. Electric-sponsored Chevrolet home 19th. 2024 is Mills’ first as a full-time driver and will return to Niece Motorsports next season.
Xfinity Series / National Debt Relief 250
Anthony Alfredo (#5 Our Motorsports Chevrolet):Â While the focus was on the championship contenders, Alfredo and underdog Our Motorsports showed their potential as they put the #5 on the front row in second, and finished 7th overall. 2024 is Alfredo’s first with owner Chris Our, and they have collected 7 Top 10 finishes while working with limited funding.
Myatt Snider (#91 DGM Racing Chevrolet):Â Snider has run only a part-time schedule, Snider made the most of his opportunity and has a strong run in Mario Gosselin’s #91 entry. Bringing sponsor Tree Top Juice on board with him, Snider finished 10th after starting 22nd in just his third start this season. Snider has two other series starts this season with SS-Green Light Racing as well.
Dylan Lupton (#15 AM Racing Ford):Â An annual journeyman driver, Lupton got the call to drive AM Racing’s #15 Mustang starting in Talladega. While Martinsville is a very different animal, Lupton and the AM crew had their best showing together on this weekend coming home 20th. While Lupton is a new name this season, he has 46 career Xfinity starts dating back to 2015.
Cup Series (Xfinity 500)
Austin Cindric (#2 Team Penske Ford): While the finishes ahead of Cindric has been a subject of debate, the Penske driver has a quietly solid day in Martinsville. Starting from the 24th spot, Cindric earned his way to a 4th place finish while the chaotic finish unfolded around him.
Noah Gragson (#10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford):Â As 2024 comes to a close, Gragson has had a roller coaster season in his Cup Series return. Martinsville was surprisingly kind to the SHR driver with the #10 Ford coming home in 11th. This was Gragson’s best finish since an 11th in Watkins Glen. With the news of the Stewart-Haas team coming to an end this season, Gragson will be moving to a vacated Front Row Motorsports Ford in 2025.
Shane van Gisbergen (#16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet):Â SVG is well known for his road course prowess, but NASCAR oval tracks are a new challenge for the driver in his rookie season. Martinsville’s Cup race provided a surprising result for the Kaulig Racing driver, as he finished a strong 12th in a drama filled event. With only eight oval track Cup starts this season, this was van Gisbergen’s best result since a 15th place in Talladega.