Ryan Blaney, William Byron make NASCAR Championship 4 in intriguing Martinsville race

Ryan Blaney was heartbroken last weekend when what seemed like a sure victory slipped from his grasp on the last lap as Tyler Reddick passed him to win the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Blaney, the reigning series champion, was determined to not let that happen again.

This Sunday, in the penultimate race of the 2024 season, Blaney passed Chase Elliott with 14 laps remaining in the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway then surged ahead to win the final elimination race and clinch a berth in the Championship 4. Blaney joined his Team Penske teammate Joey Logano, who won the third-round playoff opener at Las Vegas two weeks ago, and Reddick, who took the checkered flag at Homestead for 23XI Racing, in next week’s NASCAR Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway.

“I’m worn out. It’s hard,” a relieved but exhausted Blaney said after the race. “It was nice to pass (Elliott) clean. I laid the bumper to a couple guys that I wish I didn’t have to, but I needed to get going, so it was a long night. 

“Thank goodness. I think that’s the most tired I’ve been after a race in a long time.”

While Blaney was celebrating however, controversy was brewing with the fourth and final Championship berth, which was being awarded to the playoff driver with the most points who hadn’t won a race in the third round. When the race ended, the points indicated that Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell and Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron were tied in the playoff standings. The tiebreaker, which was based on the best finish in any of the three races in the third round, would have gone to Bell, who took second at Las Vegas behind Logano.

But Bell only tied Byron in points when he passed one final car on the last lap of Sunday's race. And that pass – of 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace – was immediately reviewed by NASCAR officials, who eventually determined that Bell used the outside wall to pass Wallace in a move known as “wall-riding.”

Two years earlier at Martinsville, Ross Chastain used a similar move – which came to be known as the “Hail Melon” – to vault himself into the Championship 4. Following the 2022 season, NASCAR officials made “wall-riding” illegal and determined it was a safety violation, and after reviewing Bell’s final lap, they came to the same conclusion and dropped him from 18^th place to 22^nd. That decision meant Byron, who finished sixth at Martinsville, and Bell were no longer tied in the standings, putting Byron into the Championship 4 alongside Blaney, Logano and Reddick.

Bell was perplexed and crushed by NASCAR’s decision, which cost him a shot at racing for a championship next weekend.

“It was Martinsville, and it was a round of 8 cutoff race. Unfortunately, I was on the bad side of it,” Bell said. “It is a shame that it comes down to a ball and strike call like that. You can look at both sides of the fence – the Chevy organization had a lot of blocking going on so that the 24 (William Bryon) didn’t lose positions. I slid into the wall and kept my foot into it. I guess that is a losing move.”

In a post-race news conference, NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer said officials looked at all the video and specifically referenced Chastain's move at Martinsville two years ago.

"In the (2022) off-season meeting with the industry, meeting with our drivers, and to a man that was not a move that they want to have to make," Sawyer said about wall-riding. "There was language in the rule book. When you look at it today, (Bell) clearly got up against the fence there in (turns) three and four, and rode the wall all the way off four there.

"Strictly it’s to protect our drivers as well as our fans. So yeah, it was pretty straightforward."

Sawyer also said that since it's a race violation, Joe Gibbs Racing cannot appeal the decision and that he wouldn't speculate what Bell's intentions were.

"I’m not going to speculate on what Christopher did or said what he meant to do. That wouldn’t be fair to try to make that type of decision based off that," Sawyer said. "We looked at the data. We looked at video. We’ve been very clear, based off our conversations with our industry, based off that move two years ago, that that would not be tolerated."

USA TODAY Sports covered the race from start to finish. Scroll below the photo gallery for highlights from Sunday's Xfinity 500 and Martinsville and click here for the full results.

NASCAR awards final Championship 4 berth to William Byron

After reviewing footage of the last lap of Sunday's Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR officials concluded the move Christopher Bell made on the final lap to gain a position was illegal. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver passed Bubba Wallace but did so by "wall-riding," officials concluded. NASCAR had outlawed using the wall to gain positions after Ross Chastain used a similar move at Martinsville two years ago.

NASCAR penalized Bell by moving him from the 18th finishing spot to the 22nd finishing spot, which allowed William Byron to earn the final Championship 4 berth on points. Without the penalty by NASCAR, the drivers would have been tied on points, but Bell would have made next week's championship race by winning a tiebreaker between the two drivers.

Top 10 results as Ryan Blaney wins NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville

Ryan Blaney pulled away from Chase Elliott to win the Xfinity 500 Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. Here are the Top 10 finishers:

1. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske (winner)
2. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports (2.593 seconds)
3. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports (-5.172 seconds)
4. Austin Cindric, Team Penske (-5.263 seconds)
5. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing (-7.643 seconds)
6. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports (-11.887 seconds)
7. Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing (-11.993 seconds)
8. Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing (-12.287 seconds)
9. Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing (-12.355 seconds)
10. Joey Logano, Team Penske (-12.647 seconds)

Final NASCAR Championship 4 berth between Christopher Bell and William Byron

William Byron finished sixth in Sunday's playoff race at Martinsville, a dozen spots ahead of Christopher Bell. But Bell made one last pass on the final lap and ended the day in a tie with Byron on points. With Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney earning three of the four Championship 4 berths with race wins in the third round, the final playoff spot came down to points. The tiebreaker goes to the driver with the best finish in the third round, which was Bell's second-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR officials were reviewing Bell's last pass, however, when he rode the wall to the checkered flag. NASCAR has a rule in place that prohibits wall-riding, following Ross Chastain's move at Martinsville Speedway – which became known as the "Hail Melon" – in the 20222 playoff race.

Ryan Blaney wins NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville to make Championship 4

Ryan Blaney rallied in Stage 3 of the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway to pass Chase Elliott on Lap 486 of 500 and send the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion back to the championship race. Blaney won last year's playoff race at Martinsville en route to his championship.

Another caution brings out divergent strategies among playoff drivers

Alex Bowman made contact with Carson Hocevar on Lap 398 causing Hocevar to spin and bring out the caution flag in the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville.

Among the six playoff drivers hoping to clinch a berth in next week's championship race, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney pitted from the front of the pack for four tires, while Denny Hamlin took two tires. William Byron and Kyle Larson stayed out. Christopher Bell also hit pit road, but the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was one lap down.

With less than 100 laps remaining in the Xfinity 500, Larson and Byron restarted on the front row. Elliott, Blaney and Hamlin restarted in the Top 10 on new tires.

Playoff drivers fighting for position in Stage 3 of NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville

All of the the playoff drviers have now hit pit road for fresh tires and fuel. Chase Elliott runs first after pitting 20 laps before all of the other championship contenders. But Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson, along with Team Penske's Ryan Blaney and RFK Racing's Brad Keselowski – a non-playoff driver – are trying to reel him in on fresher tires.

Chase Elliott gambles with pit stop in must-win situation at Martinsvile

Chase Elliott become the first NASCAR Cup Series playoff driver to pit under green, bringing his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet down pit road on Lap 352 of 500. Elliott was running 10th at the time.

On the racetrack, playoff driver is trying to chase down Stage 2 winner Brad Keselowski for the lead.

Brad Keselowski wins Stage 2 of NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville

Brad Keselowski won the second stage of the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, holding off reigning series champion Ryan Blaney. Keselowski took the lead from Blaney following a restart on Lap 203 and held it until the end of the segment – in Lap 261 of 500. Denny Hamlin who started at the rear of the field after damaging his car during Saturday's qualifying drove all the way through the field to first third in the second stage.

Here are the top 10 finishers of Stage 2:

1. Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing
2. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
3. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
4. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
5. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports
6. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing
7. Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing
8. Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports
9. Noah Gragson, Stewart-Haas Racing
10. Ryan Preece, Stewart-Haas Racing

Caution flag reshuffles the field, includling playoff drivers

Martin Truex Jr. brought out another caution flag on Lap 184 of the Xfinity 500 after spinning in Turn 4. The yellow flag brought some of the leaders to pit road for fuel and tires, including the top two drivers William Byron and Chase Elliott, plus teammate and fellow playoff driver Kyle Larson. But Elliott had a terribly slow pit stop pushing him all the way back to 26th place for the restart.

Meanwhile, playoff drivers Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin stayed out for track position and restarted first and second on Lap 192. Byron and Larson restarted 12th and 13th.

Harrison Burton spins to bring out caution in Stage 2 at Martinsville

Harrison Burton, running 19th, brought out the caution flag on Lap 158 of the Xfinity 500 after spinning out following contact from Carson Hocevar. A handful of drivers elected to come to pit road for tires and fuel, but the Top 17 drivers all stayed out to maintain track position.

William Byron takes lead from teammate Chase Elliott at Martinsville

William Byron rocketed past his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott on the restart to begin Stage 2 of the Xfinity 500. Elliott and Byron both restarted on the front row. A few laps later, on Lap 145, Daniel Suarez spun after contact from Daniel Hemric, who was hit from behind by Austin Cindric, to bring out the caution flag.

Chase Elliott wins opening stage of NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville

Playoff driver Chase Elliott led 88 laps in the 130-lap opening segment to win the first stage of the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville. Fellow Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron, who is also in contention for a Championship 4 berth, finished second. Byron can make the Championship Race on points, but Elliott most likely must win today’s race to advance.

Here is the Top-10 finishing order from Stage 1:

1. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
2. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports
3. Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing
4. Ryan Preece, Stewart-Haas Racing
5. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
6. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
7. Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports
8. Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing
9. Joey Logano, Team Penske
10. Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing

Christopher Bell becomes first playoff driver with issue at Martinsville

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell got loose on Lap 77 of the Xfinity 500 and made contact with Corey LaJoie before spinning out and bringing out the caution flag. Bell, the playoff points leader entering today's race at Martinsville, was running 14th at the time.

With nearly 80 laps on their tires, every driver who had not yet pitted under green came in for for fresh tires and fuel. Playoff drivers Chase Elliott maintained the first and second positions after pit stops.

Martin Truex Jr. pits early at Martinsville but penalized for speeding

Martin Truex, who started on the pole in today's race at Martinsville, was the first of the leaders to hit pit road under green in the Xfinity 500. Truex pitted from the fifth position but was penalized for speeding entering pit road. Between pitting under green and serving a pit-road speeding penalty, Truex is now three laps down to leader Chase Elliott.

Chase Elliott takes lead at NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville

Chase Elliott passed pole sitter Martin Truex Jr. on Lap 42 of the opening stage of the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville. Truex had led the first 41 laps of the Xfinity 500. Elliott must win today to clinch a berth in the NASCAR Championship Race. Elliott's Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron, a fellow playoff driver, runs third behind Truex.

Green flag waves to begin NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville

The green flag has been waved at Martinsville Speedway to start the Xfinity 500, the penultimate race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season with the final two championship berths on the line. Pole sitter Martin Truex Jr. and playoff driver Chase Elliott lead the field to start the race.

Playoff driver Denny Hamlin will start at rear of field in Martinsville

Denny Hamlin is among three drivers who will move to the rear for the start of the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville. Hamlin and Corey Lajoie made repairs to their cars, and Austin Cindric had steering issues. Hamlin is the lone playoff driver among this group and will need to drive through the field to catch up to the other championship contenders, who are all starting 16^th or better.

What time does the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville start?

The Xfinity 500 starts at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia.

What TV channel is the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville on?

NBC is broadcasting the Xfinity 500 and has a pre-race show beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville?

The Xfinity 500 can be live streamed on the NBC Sports website and the NBC Sports app. The race is also available to stream on Fubo, which is offering a free trial.

What is the weather forecast for the NASCAR race at Martinsville?

A perfect fall day for drivers, teams and fans. The National Weather Service is calling for sunny skies and a calm wind with a high of 64 degrees. Bring a light jacket and enjoy the race.

How many laps is the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville?

The Xfinity 500 is 500 laps around the 0.526-mile oval for a total of 263 miles. The race will feature three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 130 laps; Stage 2: 130 laps; Stage 3: 240 laps.

Who is starting on the pole in the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville?

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. posted the fastest time in Saturday’s qualifying and will start on the pole in Sunday’s race. Truex has announced that he is retiring from full-time racing at the end of the season.

Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott, one of eight remaining playoff drivers, qualified second and will also start on the front row.

Which drivers will race for 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship?

Team Penske driver Joey Logano and 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick are locked into the Championship 4. The final two contenders will be determined this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.

Logano won Cup Series championships in 2018 and 2022. Reddick is seeking his first Cup title.

Who are the other NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers?

These are the other six championship hopefuls in order of points through eight races. If one of them wins Sunday's race at Martinsville, they will clinch a berth in the NASCAR Championship Race. If none of them win, the final two championship berths will be decided by points after Martinsville.

1. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing ... 4,132
2. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports ... 4,110 (-22 points)
3. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ... 4,103 (-29)
4. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing ... 4,092 (-40)
5. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske ... 4,072 (-60)
6. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports ... 4,067 (-65)

Who won the most recent NASCAR Cup races at Martinsville?

William Byron led 88 laps, including the final two in an overtime shootout, to lead a top-three sweep by Hendrick Motorsports on April 7, 2024. Kyle Larson came in second and Chase Elliott third.

And one year ago in the playoff race, Ryan Blaney led 145 laps, including the final 23, before holding off Aric Almirola by 0.899 seconds on Oct. 29, 2023, to clinch a berth in the Championship Race. He would win his first Cup Series title one week later.

What is the lineup for NASCAR’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville?

Car number in parentheses; (P)=playoff driver

• 1. (19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota
• 2. (9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet
• 3. (24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet
• 4. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford
• 5. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
• 6. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford
• 7. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
• 8. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford
• 9. (5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet
• 10. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
• 11. (4) Josh Berry, Ford
• 12. (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford
• 13. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford
• 14. (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford
• 15. (31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet
• 16. (20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota
• 17. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford
• 18. (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
• 19. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
• 20. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
• 21. (43) Erik Jones, Toyota
• 22. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
• 23. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
• 24. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford
• 25. (10) Noah Gragson, Ford
• 26. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford
• 27. (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
• 28. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
• 29. (16) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet
• 30. (7) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
• 31. (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota
• 32. (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
• 33. (15) Kaz Grala, Ford
• 34. (51) Corey LaJoie, Ford
• 35. (66) Josh Bilicki, Ford
• 36. (71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet
• 37. (11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota

When is the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race?

The NASCAR Championship Race is Sunday, Nov. 10 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.

• Time: 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local)
• TV: NBC
• Live stream: NBC Sports website, NBC Sports app and Fubo

Which drivers have won NASCAR Cup Series championships under this playoff format?

The current playoff format was adopted in 2014, and Kevin Harvick won his first championship while also winning the final race of the year. Here are the NASCAR Cup Series champions since 2014 and their finish in the season's final race:

• 2014: Kevin Harvick (won at Homestead-Miami Speedway)
• 2015: Kyle Busch (won at Homestead)
• 2016: Jimmie Johnson (won at Homestead)
• 2017: Martin Truex Jr. (won at Homestead)
• 2018: Joey Logano (won at Homestead)
• 2019: Kyle Busch (won at Homestead)
• 2020: Chase Elliott (won at Phoenix Raceway)
• 2021: Kyle Larson (won at Phoenix)
• 2022: Joey Logano (won at Phoenix)
• 2023: Ryan Blaney (runner-up at Phoenix)

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.