Ryan Blaney is In the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 with a victory at Martinsville Speedway in the Xfinity 500 on Sunday afternoon.
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Martinsville Speedway for the final cutoff race that decides which four drivers are racing for the 2023 championship title. Martinsville Speedway is a great track to host such a high-caliber race. Eight drivers shrink to just four left to contend for the championship at Phoenix. With two drivers already winning, just two spots remain for the taking at Martinsville. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell are safe, with six Round of 8 drivers seeking the two remaining spots.
The Polesitter is the Round of 8 Driver, Martin Truex Jr
Martin Truex Jr claimed the pole position and jumped out front Sunday afternoon. Denny Hamlin was in close pursuit after starting fourth. On lap 48, Hamlin completed the pass for the lead.
Then, 56 laps later, the first caution of the day came out after Alex Bowman and Harrison Burton spun around. Continuing to lead after the caution, Denny Hamlin wins the opening stage.
Denny Hamlin Leads the Field to the Second Stage Green Flag
Denny Hamlin restarted the second stage in the lead with Ryan Blaney just behind him. 53 laps into the stage, Blaney completed the pass for the lead.
Blaney was leading for 25 laps until another caution flag waves for Ryan Newman spinning on the track. This would be the only caution during the segment. Ryan Blaney led through the caution and the final 35 laps to win the second stage.
The Third Stage Starts with Several Cautions
The final stage started in a fury with three cautions occurring within fifty laps. Ty Gibbs spun twice, and Michael McDowell spun around as well on the third caution. Chase Elliott came out of these cautions in the lead.
As the race settled down, Chase Elliott was leading for 79 consecutive laps until he was able to pass Aric Almirola, who led for another 66 laps until Ryan Blaney tracked him down.
Ryan Blaney is In the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 with a Victory at Martinsville
Blaney made the pass for the lead with 22 laps remaining and was the dominant car of the afternoon. No one could contend with him in the second half of the race. Ryan Blaney went on to win the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
The Xfinity 500 Results
The NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings
The NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Field
Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and William Byron are the four drivers who remain in contention for the NASCAR Cup Series title. The final race is at Phoenix Raceway with a 312-lap battle in the desert.
Kyle Larson is the only former champion in the bunch. Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, and William Byron are all racing for their first championship. A new champion awaits, or Kyle Larson may win his second title in a three-year span. The stage is ready, and this is a long week while waiting for the action to unfold.