The NASCAR Cup Series returns to my favorite track, Martinsville Speedway, for Sunday's Cook Out 400 (3 p.m. ET, FS1).
Martinsville is a tight, half-mile circuit that inspires plenty of beating and banging, making it a very entertaining event.
Live NASCAR odds for Martinsville list Ryan Blaney (+550) and Denny Hamlin (+550) as race co-favorites, followed by Kyle Larson (+650), Christopher Bell (+700), and Chase Elliott (+850).
Unfortunately, the latest NASCAR weather forecast is showing a chance of rain Sunday afternoon, and just like other sports it's important to consider the impact of weather before making any wagers that can be influenced by the conditions.
As a result, I'm going to keep my bets light for now and potentially jump in live during the race once I have a better idea of the conditions.
However, there's still one NASCAR pick I'm locking in right now for Sunday's Cook Out 400 at Martinsville.
NASCAR Odds, Best Bet Pick for Martinsville
With the chances of rain increasing throughout the afternoon, we have to consider that the race could finish with drivers running wet weather tires.
However, if the rain holds off, which is also a possibility, we have to think about drivers who can win in the dry, too.
As I mentioned above, I don't want to get in too deep before this race gets underway, though I am willing to go ahead and take a position on Josh Berry to win at 35-1 odds (BetMGM).
Berry already has a win this season and has shown more-than-expected speed in the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford. Now he gets a crack at a track he loves: Martinsville Speedway.
Back in 2019, Berry won the prestigious ValleyStar Credit Union 300 late model race at Martinsville in dominating fashion — he won the pole, led every lap and won the race.
Berry's success at Martinsville continued when he won at "the Paperclip" in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 2021.
Berry is fully capable of competing for a win here in dry conditions, but was also impressive in wet conditions at New Hampshire last season, giving us a driver who can be in the mix no matter how the weather breaks Sunday afternoon.
Again, I'm not going crazy for Sunday's race, but there's reason to warrant a wager on Berry to win at Martinsville.
NASCAR Pick: Josh Berry +3500 to Win — BetMGM
