Martinsville, Va. – October 29, 2023
The NASCAR Cup Series Road to the Championship 4 navigated to Martinsville Speedway for the Xfinity 500 and a final shot for eligible drivers to qualify for the Championship 4. The participants for the Championship Finale would be set Sunday afternoon after the completion of the Xfinity 500. Only four of the remaining eight contenders would advance past the weekend race in southern Virginia. A victory at the Paperclip by any of the eligible playoff drivers automatically clinched a spot in the Championship 4, regardless of previous points accumulation.
Xfinity 500 – Recap:
Stage 1
Cup Champ Martin Truex Jr. paced the field to green as Ty Gibb’s shot gun position would be tested and overtook by the aggressor Denny Hamlin. Denny Hamlin narrowed Martin Truex Jr.’s separation within a bumper and sharpshot the low lane to snip Martin Truex Jr. lead by Lap 50.
Hamlin avoided any track alterations and collected Stage 1 valuable points with Victory at the paperclip.
Xfinity 500 – Results:
Stage 1
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Ryan Blaney
3. Martin Truex Jr
4. Chase Briscoe
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Christopher Bell
7. Ty Gibbs
8. Ryan Preece
9. Joey Logano
10. Kevin Harvick
Xfinity 500 – Recap:
Stage 2
Ryan Blaney along with race leader Denny Hamlin interchanged the front position during the early Stage 2 proceedings. Blaney advanced and seized the lead from Hamlin counting 60 laps remaining in Stage 2.
Final Stage pit service clocked Martin Truex Jr. speeding and penalized Truex Jr.
This penalty was a huge obstacle for Truex Jr. to recover from, on a short track.
Denny Hamlin attempted to retaliate for the lead only to fall short as Ryan Blaney warded off any approaching danger.
Ryan Blaney checked off Stage 2 Checkers at Martinsville Speedway!
Xfinity 500 – Results:
Stage 2
1. Ryan Blaney
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Chase Briscoe
4. Joey Logano
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Ty Gibbs
7. Ryan Preece
8. Todd Gilliland
9. Kevin Harvick
10. Christopher Bell
Xfinity 500 – Recap:
Final Stage
Ryan Blaney continued to be the car to beat as competitors attempted to derail the leader in the Final Stage. A decisive Caution flag on Lap 323 was flown, courtesy of a Michael McDowell and Erik Jones’ track confrontation. Race frontrunners opted for final pit service.
Pit strategy separated the field as teams hustled for either gas only or a two-tire exchange.
Chase Elliott and Corey Lajoie wishing on a prayer, declined pit service and stayed out for track position. Aric Almirola’s two-tire pit strategy allowed him to challenge Chase Elliott for the lead on lap 450.
Twenty-five laps later, Elloitt’s two tire stability was encountered by Ryan Blaney on a mission.
Blaney completed the pass for the lead and monitored competition within his rear-view mirror.
Ryan Blaney punched his Championship 4 ticket, displaying a dominant performance at Martinsville Speedway!
Xfinity 500 – Results:
Martinsville Speedway
10/29/23
Final Stage
Pos | Driver
1. Ryan Blaney
2. Aric Almirola
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Chase Briscoe
5. Joey Logano
6. Kyle Larson
7. Christopher Bell
8. Chris Buescher
9. Austin Cindric
10. Todd Gilliland
11. Bubba Wallace
12. Martin Truex Jr
13. William Byron
14. Ross Chastain
15. Harrison Burton
16. Kevin Harvick
17. Chase Elliott
18. Ty Gibbs
19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
20. Ryan Preece
21. Erik Jones
22. Corey LaJoie
23. Austin Dillon
24. Ty Dillon
25. Michael McDowell
26. Tyler Reddick
27. Kyle Busch
28. AJ Allmendinger
29. Ryan Newman
30. Justin Haley
31. Carson Hocevar
32. Alex Bowman
33. Brad Keselowski
34. Daniel Suarez
35. JJ Yeley
36. BJ McLeod
2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4
1. Christopher Bell – 1 Win
2. Kyle Larson – 1 Win
3. Ryan Blaney – 1 Win
4. William Byron + 8 pts.
— Eliminated from Championship Race —
5. Denny Hamlin – 8 pts.
6. Martin Truex Jr – 28 pts.
7. Tyler Reddick – 43 pts.
8. Chris Buescher – 58 pts.
The NASCAR Cup Series locates to Phoenix, Arizona for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4:
Sunday. Nov 6, 2022
PHOENIX RACEWAY
312 laps/ 312 Miles
3:00 PM ET
NBC PRN SiriusXM Nascar 90
