Chase Elliott is heading into Martinsville with a comfortable position to qualify for the Last 4. Along with Elliott, the other driver predicted to advance with relative ease is Denny Hamlin.

That is, if all goes well.

Both Elliott and Hamlin have had a history of on-track ‘instances’ with other drivers. But the two playoff hopefuls came together a few years ago in Martinsville itself.

During the closing laps in Martinsville, fellow playoff driver Denny Hamlin bumped Elliott’s Chevrolet from behind as he attempted to go in front. This resulted in the No. 24 car spinning into the wall in the closing laps, leading to a Kyle Busch win.

The two drivers had a pretty heated exchange in front of the Grandstand, much to the cheers and boos of the crowd.

After the race, Elliott said in an interview, Hamlin’s actions were “100 percent unnecessary and uncalled for.”

“We had a great car today, and we had an opportunity — had a good restart there at the end and felt like I was doing what I needed to do. And I can’t control his decisions and whatever the hell that was,” he had said.

Will Elliott finally win at Martinsville?

The Chevrolet driver has tasted victory on the paperclip track and will undoubtedly aim to pick up another on Sunday.

But according to the odds, Elliott isn’t the favorite to take the checkered flag. And no, it’s not even the red-hot Kyle Larson.

It’s another driver in contention of the Last 4, Martin Treux Jr. who is the favorite to take the win.

Yet considering the fact that the Martinsville Speedway has produced seven different winners in the last 10 years, it won’t be unreasonable to assume the race might go against the odds.

And knowing how Chase Elliott won here last year and came close in 2017, one shouldn’t rule a victory for the defending champion.

Also Read: “Chase Elliott Fan Club Video” – Kevin Harvick Sees the Funny Side of His ROVAL Crash