NASCAR events at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday include practice, qualifying, and a 250-lap Xfinity race, with championship implications for both the Cup and Xfinity series as drivers compete to advance to the final race at Phoenix Raceway. Key drivers are vying for the remaining spots in the Championship 4, with practice and qualifying scheduled before the races, amid cloudy weather conditions.
Christopher Bell expressed frustration after being penalized for a safety violation during the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, which allowed William Byron to advance to the Championship 4. Bell felt "cheated" out of a championship chance, alleging race manipulation by Chevrolet that forced him into a last-lap mistake. He believes the race was unfairly influenced, impacting his and his team's position in the championship standings.
Ryan Blaney secured a spot in the NASCAR Championship 4 by winning the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, leading 31 laps in a race filled with strategic moves and penalties. Blaney's victory allows him to defend his championship title in the upcoming race in Phoenix. The Championship 4 lineup also includes Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron, who advanced after Christopher Bell was penalized for an illegal move. Kyle Larson was eliminated from the championship contention despite a strong performance.
Hendrick Motorsports dominates at Martinsville Speedway with a historic top three sweep, while William Byron continues his winning streak with his ninth victory in the last 44 races. Bubba Wallace achieves his best result at Martinsville, Ryan Preece secures his first top 10 of the year, and Carson Kvapil impresses with a fourth-place finish in his Xfinity Series debut. On the other hand, Harrison Burton, Austin Dillon, and Corey LaJoie face disappointing finishes at the NASCAR weekend.
Jeff Gordon was swept up in the surreal atmosphere at Martinsville Speedway as Hendrick Motorsports celebrated its 40th anniversary with a 1-2-3 sweep by William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott. The race was a special moment for the organization, with all four drivers sporting a ruby red paint scheme and various celebrations honoring the team's history. Gordon, a former Hendrick Motorsports driver, expressed emotion and pride in the team's victory, highlighting the significance of the milestone for the company and its employees.
William Byron's victory at Martinsville Speedway marked a significant milestone for Hendrick Motorsports, as it coincided with the team's 40th anniversary celebration. The win, which saw Byron leading a 1-2-3 finish for the team, was a testament to the vision and perseverance of team owner Rick Hendrick, who had saved the organization with its first win in 1984. The victory also highlighted the team's remarkable teamwork and resilience, with all four Hendrick cars finishing in the top 10. This achievement adds to the team's rich history of success in NASCAR, further solidifying its position as one of the sport's most dominant forces.
William Byron won the Cup race at Martinsville Speedway, with Kyle Larson finishing 2nd and all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers finishing inside the top 10. Other drivers, including Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, and Ryan Blaney, shared their thoughts on the race, with some expressing satisfaction with their performance and others acknowledging areas for improvement.
The NASCAR Cup Series continues with the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway, where Denny Hamlin earned a controversial victory at Richmond last week. Kyle Larson won the pole for Sunday's race, and he led the first stage, ultimately winning it. The race saw several lead changes and incidents, with Hamlin ultimately winning Stage 2. Follow live updates and highlights as the race progresses, with green flag set for after 2 p.m. CT on Sunday.
NASCAR Cup teams will practice and qualify at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, with the Xfinity Series race also taking place. The Xfinity race is the seventh of the season, and the weather is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 58 degrees. Chandler Smith and Austin Hill have each secured two victories this year, while John Hunter Nemechek and Kyle Larson have also claimed wins in the Xfinity races this season.
Hendrick Motorsports unveiled four ruby red paint schemes to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their first victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway, which will be showcased at the 2024 Martinsville spring event on April 7th.
Denny Hamlin's quest for a NASCAR Cup Series championship continues to elude him as he was eliminated from the playoffs at Martinsville Speedway. Despite his impressive career stats, including 51 wins and three Daytona 500 trophies, Hamlin has yet to secure a championship title. While he remains optimistic about his chances next season, Hamlin acknowledges that luck and the playoff format have played a role in his previous eliminations. His crew chief, Chris Gabehart, believes Hamlin's résumé speaks for itself, regardless of a championship win.
Ryan Blaney secured his spot in the NASCAR Cup championship by winning at Martinsville Speedway, earning his third win of the season. He will join Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and William Byron in the final four at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney's victory comes after a winless 2022 season and marks his first opportunity to race for the Cup title. Byron clinched the final spot in the championship by finishing 13th, edging out Denny Hamlin. The highest-finishing driver among the final four at Phoenix Raceway will be crowned the Cup champion.
Kyle Larson won his first NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, making it his 16th track where he has earned a victory. The reduced downforce generated by Cup Series cars this year made it challenging for drivers to pass, and strategy played a key role in the race. Joey Logano finished second, followed by Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe. Briscoe, who led 109 laps and took four tires, ended up fifth, a spot behind Hamlin, who appeared to be the driver to beat over portions of the second half of the race.
Kyle Larson won the NOCO 400 at Martinsville Speedway, his second win in the last three races and his first win at Martinsville. Larson's crew chief made a two-tire call on his final pit stop, putting him ahead of Chase Briscoe on four tires and behind only four cars led by Joey Logano, who elected to stay out to gain track position. Larson got physical to complete the winning pass on Logano, driving away to earn his first Grandfather Clock and the 28th win by Hendrick Motorsports at Martinsville.
