NASCAR US Marine Corps 250 Predictions: Are You Ready for a Long Shot

• Aric Almirola goes for a three-peat at a short track he has mastered.

• Justin Allgaier can achieve a different kind of three-bagger—and a career-first.

• Sheldon Creed has to win a NASCAR Xfinity race at some point, doesn’t he?

US Marine Corps 250 Betting Odds

Odds taken from bet365 sportsbook. Use our promo code WSN365 and place your bets at bet365: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose

Our Picks for the US Marine Corps 250

• Sheldon Creed to win the race at +800 at bet365

• Christian Eckes to finish in the top three at +500  at bet365

• Austin Hill to finish in the top three at +500 at bet365

US Marine Corps 250 Predictions

Formidable Aric Almirola Seeks Third Straight Martinsville Victory

Aric Almirola is no ordinary part-timer.

Last season, in an abbreviated role with Joe Gibbs Racing, the former full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver swept both races at Martinsville Speedway.

In three starts for Gibbs this year, Almirola has driven the No. 19 Toyota to a win at Phoenix, a runner-up finish at Las Vegas and a third at Atlanta.

In fact, there’s only one reason not to bet on Almirola in Sunday’s YS Marine Corps 250—the price.

It’s hard to risk hard-earned money on a driver listed at +200 via bet365 Sportsbook. We think we can do better elsewhere.

Bet $5 at bet365 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Justin Allgaier Is Riding a Hot Streak with Plenty of Cash on the Line

Two weeks ago, Justin Allgaier won for the first time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

A week ago, he won his first race at another intermediate track, Homestead-Miami Speedway, claiming victory in back-to-back events for only the second time in his NASCAR Xfinity career.

Allgaier has an excellent recent record at Martinsville, having finished no worse than sixth in his last five races there, including a victory in 2023.

At Homestead, Allgaier also earned his record sixth Xfinity Dash 4 Cash $100,000 bonus, and he can win another on Saturday if he can finish ahead of three other eligible drivers—Sam Mayer, Austin Hill and Sheldon Creed.

Allgaier has never won three straight Xfinity races, and we don’t think he’ll do so this weekend at +375 via bet365.

We do like an underrated Hill to finish in the top three at +500 via bet365 and favor an identical bet on Christian Eckes (+500) at bet365, who swept the two Truck Series races at the 0.526-mile short track last year.

Get $150 in Bonus Bets When Betting $5 at bet365

To Say Perennial Bridesmaid Sheldon Creed Is Due Is an Understatement

At some point, we expect 13 to become a lucky number for hard-luck driver Sheldon Creed.

Creed has never won an Xfinity Series race, but he has finished second 13 times, a record for a driver seeking his first victory.

Two of those runner-up finishes came at Martinsville, the most recent of which occurred in a wild overtime scramble in a 2023 race won by Justin Allgaier.

Both Creed and Sam Mayer have excellent speed with their new Haas Factory Team this season, and we think it’s time for Creed to break his winless streak.

We also like his price: +800 via bet 365.

Wager $5 at bet365 and Claim $150 in Bonus Bets

How to Watch the US Marine Corps 250

• Race: US Marine Corps 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race

• Location: Martinsville Speedway

• Time: Saturday, March 29, 5 p.m. ET

• How to Watch: The CW