The Cook Out 400 at Martinsville presents a rare fantasy NASCAR scenario: a driver so dominant he’s an unavoidable chalk, and a teammate offering elite value at a discount. Ryan Blaney’s historic run at the paperclip makes him the top pick, while Chase Elliott’s lowered price tag could swing your lineup. But don’t ignore mid-tier threats like Chase Briscoe and Ross Chastain, or longshot Todd Gilliland’s top-10 potential.
Martinsville Speedway, the 0.526-mile paperclip, is NASCAR’s oldest track and a true test of driver skill and patience. The tight confines and physical racing make it difficult to pass, meaning qualifying and track position are paramount. For fantasy NASCAR players, this translates to a premium on drivers who can qualify well and avoid trouble. The data shows that at Martinsville, elite drivers have a significant advantage, and longshots rarely crash the party.
The fantasy landscape for the Cook Out 400 splits into two formats: the NASCAR app’s garage selection, where you pick five drivers for points based on finishing position, and daily fantasy platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings, where laps led and consistent finishes drive value. Regardless of format, the track’s characteristics suppress longshot upside and elevate the floor of top-tier talent.
Ryan Blaney embodies that top-tier ceiling. Over his last 14 starts at Martinsville, Blaney has finished no worse than 11th—a staggering level of consistency. More impressively, he has captured two wins in the eight NextGen era races held there Racing-Reference.info. That dominance makes Blaney the safest pick for any fantasy lineup. While his high ownership in daily contests may ding your uniqueness, his floor is so high that fading him requires extraordinary conviction.
If you need value to offset Blaney’s cost, Chase Elliott is the obvious target. Priced outside the top five daily fantasy options, Elliott ranks as the second-best average finisher at Martinsville. In the NextGen era, he has amassed seven top-10 finishes at the track, though he is still seeking his first victory there. Elliott’s value is amplified by his 2026 season performance: he sits fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, the highest among all Hendrick Motorsports drivers Athlon Sports. That makes him a steal at his current salary.
The mid-tier offers solid, under-the-radar options. Chase Briscoe has endured mechanical woes this season with Joe Gibbs Racing but has delivered when clean, posting an eighth-place finish last week and a second at Atlanta. He ranks as the seventh-best average finisher at Martinsville since 2022, a remarkable feat considering half those races came in the underfunded No. 14 Stewart-Hass car. Briscoe’s recent form suggests he is back to his reliable self.
Ross Chastain and Trackhouse Racing have struggled in 2026, but their short-track package should be competitive at Martinsville. Chastain averages an 8.5 finish at the track in the NextGen era, with three top-fives and five top-10s—including his notorious wall-ride move. If Trackhouse qualifies well, Chastain could easily overperform his price. His aggressive style suits Martinsville’s physical racing, and he is due for a strong result.
For those chasing longshots, Todd Gilliland offers top-10 potential rather than a win threat. He has three top-10 finishes in the eight NextGen Martinsville races, and the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet appears improved this season. Gilliland’s only drawback is his tendency to miss lead laps—he has just five lead-lap finishes in that span—but a clean race could push him into the top 10. At his minimal salary, Gilliland provides necessary cap space and a plausible high-floor outcome.
The common thread across these picks is consistency. Martinsville’s nature rewards drivers who can qualify in the top 15 and avoid incidents. Blaney and Elliott have proven they can do that week after week. Briscoe and Chastain have the short-track prowess to contend, while Gilliland’s steady improvement makes him a viable filler. In a sport where a single wreck can ruin a weekend, these drivers minimize risk while maintaining upside.
Fantasy success at Martinsville hinges on stacking drivers from teams with strong short-track packages. Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports have historically excelled at the paperclip, and their current form supports that. Joe Gibbs Racing and Trackhouse are also worth considering for mid-tier exposure. Front Row’s surge this season makes their drivers attractive value options.
As the Cook Out 400 approaches, the data is clear: Ryan Blaney is the mandatory anchor, Chase Elliott is the value cornerstone, and the mid-tier and longshot picks provide the roster flexibility needed to build a winning lineup. Trust the metrics, not the hype.
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