National Debt Relief 250 Predictions: Can Aric Almirola Go Two-for-Two

• Aric Almirola is the favorite - based on one triumphant outing at Martinsville

• Justin Allgaier can seal a Championship 4 berth at one of his best tracks

• Sam Mayer needs a win to stay alive in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs

National Debt Relief 250 Betting Odds

The following odds are taken from bet365 Sportsbook. Use our promo code WSN365 at bet365 to claim your bonus of choice: $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets.

Our Picks for the National Debt Relief 250

• Sam Mayer to win the race at +800 via bet365

• AJ Allmendinger to finish in the top three at +650 via bet365

• Parker Kligerman to finish in the top five at +1000 via bet365

National Debt Relief 250 Predictions

Aric Almirola Gets Nod as Favorite Based on One Outstanding Outing

Yes, we know that Aric Almirola won convincingly in his only NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Martinsville Speedway in the spring, leading 148 of 251 laps.

And, yes, we know that Almirola will be driving top-of-the-line Joe Gibbs Racing equipment on Saturday as he tries to keep the No. 20 Toyota eligible for the series owners’ title. (As a part-time driver, Almirola isn’t competing for the drivers’ championship.)

But the drivers’ championship is where the focus will be on Saturday, and we look for one of the contenders for that title to win the race, despite Almirola’s unbridled self-assurance.

“I have a ton of confidence going into this weekend,” Almirola said. “It’s my favorite track. It’s such a fun place to race, and it’s even more fun when you have fast Toyota GR Supras like we do at Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I can’t wait to get going and for the opportunity we have this weekend. Everyone knows going in that it’s going to be crazy, and everyone is going to be doing everything they can to win, but I feel like we’re in a great position and we will have a great car.”

We just can’t see Almirola winning for the second time in as many Martinsville starts, and the meager +300 price via bet365 Sportsbook further suppresses our enthusiasm.

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Justin Allgaier Won’t Have to Win to Make the Championship 4

Veteran Justin Allgaier will have a well-defined agenda entering Saturday’s National Debt Relief 250 at Martinsville - to score enough points to qualify of the Championship 4 season finale even if he doesn’t win the race.

Early on, Allgaier will be concentrating on stage points - and on the whereabouts of defending series champion Cole Custer, who also is in the running for a Playoff berth on points.

That’s not to say we don’t expect Allgaier to perform well at Martinsville. After all, he has a victory and seven top 10s in eight starts at the 0.526-mile short track.

We just don’t think he’ll win the race, and we can’t back him at +550 via bet365.

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Does Sam Mayer Have Another Miracle in His Bag of Tricks

In the final race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs’ Round of 12, Sam Mayer pulled off a stunner at the Charlotte Roval to advance to the Round of 8.

Starting the elimination event 47 points below the current cutoff for the Championship 4, Mayer will need to win on Saturday to stay alive in the Playoffs.

In six starts at the venerable short track, Mayer has three top fives and four top 10s. In his last race there, he finished second to Aric Almirola in April.

We like Mayer to win Saturday’s race at +800 via bet365. We also like AJ Allmendinger (already qualified for the Championship 4) to finish in the top three at +650 via bet365 and Parker Kligerman to finish in the top five at +1000 via bet365.

Kligerman has a best finish of 10th in three Martinsville starts, but he finished on the lead lap in each race and led five laps in his last outing.

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How to Watch the National Debt Relief 250

• Race: National Debt Relief 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race

• Location: Martinsville Speedway

• Time: Saturday, November 2, 4 p.m. ET

• How to Watch: The CW