NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Fans React To Ryan Blaney Clinching Championship 4 Bid With Xfinity 500 Win At Martinsville Speedway

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published24 hours ago on November 03, 2024

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cup blaney wins clock at martinsville (1)

The formula worked well for Ryan Blaney last season. 

Why not again? 

The defending NASCAR Cup Series champion captured Sunday’s drama-filled Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, ensuring his spot in next weekend’s Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway. 

Like last season, Blaney needed a win at the circuit’s shortest track to advance beyond the Round of 8. 

“To have another shot at a championship is special,” Blaney said, as reported by NASCAR.com. 

Blaney’s winning move developed with 14 laps remaining, passing Chase Elliott and then pulling away from the 2020 circuit titleholder, winning by 2.593 seconds. Chase was eliminated from playoffs, along with Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell.  

“I’m worn out,” Blaney said, as reported by NASCAR.com. “I’ve got nothing left. Oh, my God, I’m tired. Good battle, and this car hung on longer than most, and I could really make some ground.”  

X (Twitter) users responded to William Byron receiving the final final four invitation after race officials penalized Christopher Bell four spots for safety violations … 

The establishing shot Sunday of Martinsville Speedway … 

The starting call for the series’ Round of 8 finale …  

Where the playoff situation stood Sunday morning … 

Mc-milestone … 

With two races remaining in his career as a full-time pilot, Truex earned his first pole of the season and 24th of his career. The 2017 circuit champion led the field to green Sunday … 

Needing a win to advance, Elliott claimed the lead early and eventually the first stage …  

Bell went for a spin … 

Hendrick Motorsports drama unfolded when Kyle Larson’s No. 5 machine bumped the rear of Alex Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet along pit road … 

As Blaney crossed the start/finish line, Bell went all out to deny Byron the fourth spot. Along Turn 3, Bell passed Bubba Wallace for a needed playoff point, but rode the outside wall through the final turn, drawing the ire of NASCAR officials … 

Bell attempted to emulate the move executed by Ross Chastain along Turns 3 and 4 to advance to the 2022 Championship 4 race. “He rode the wall, and there’s a clear rule against riding the wall,” Byron said … 

The move cost Bell a spot in the final four and what was a comeback effort. He recovered from a Stage 1, Turn 2 spin and a loose wheel that needed an unscheduled pit stop. If the No. 20 Toyota driver had not incurred the penalty, he would have edged Byron. When the ruling was announced, Bell congratulated his peer … 

Brad Keselowski, who won the second stage, registered a race-high 170 laps led … 

Blaney earned his third win this season. Among his 13 career titles, two have developed at the 0.526-mile track. He won with a different combination of Goodyear tires. On the right side, the No. 12 Ford team went with option tires and a softer compound on the left-side tires … 

The final four …