NASCAR Martinsville predictions 2024: Expert picks for Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Martinsville Speedway for the Cook Out 400 on Sunday, one of two race weekends at the paper-clip track this season.

Because of the placement of Martinsville in the playoff schedule, this race should garner full attention from every team. Ryan Blaney's win at Martinsville last fall catapulted him into the Championship 4 and the Cup Series title.

Last week, Denny Hamlin earned a controversial victory at Richmond on a green-white-checkered restart after Martin Truex Jr. dominated the second half of the race.

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

LAST WEEK:NASCAR Richmond race winners and losers: How Martin Truex Jr. went from 1st win to loser

NASCAR CUP SCHEDULE 2024: Races, tracks, dates, TV schedule for 2024 Cup Series

NASCAR predictions for Martinsville Cup Series race: Here's who wins

Mike Organ's pick: Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Martin Truex Jr. probably should have won last week at Richmond and will use the disappointment of missing out on picking up his first win in 2024 and win this week at Martinsville. Truex is a three-time winner at Martinsville and leads the Cup standings. He has hinted that retirement may not be far off, which makes him that much more desperate to get another win and make this a season to remember.

Tom Kreager's pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

A Joe Gibbs Racing driver won last week, so this is Hendrick Motorsports' turn, right? That seems to be how the season has gone with two race teams dominating the 2024 season. Larson won at Martinsville a year ago and has three top-3 finishes at the track. It would also make Larson's second win of the season. He won at Las Vegas earlier this year.

Nick Gray's pick: Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford

Debated between Logano and Chase Briscoe for this pick, and Briscoe's recent performances at Martinsville have been very good. But Logano is hungry for a win and is coming to a track where he's finished runner-up in the past two spring races. Logano was also the runner-up in Sunday's race at Richmond. It's time for Logano to return to victory lane.