The thrilling 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season added a new chapter on Sunday, November 3. The Cup Series playoff grid went from eight to four drivers with the end of the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
In a do-or-die race, the defending Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney locked his ticket to the Championship 4 race with a win in the Round of 8 elimination race for the second straight year. He took control of the race when he took the lead from Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go and remained unbeaten till the finish line.
The third round of this year’s playoff was filled with chaos and unexpected results. Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick were the winners of the first two playoff races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway, respectively. This win earned them a Championship 4 berth.
As Blaney is the winner from below the elimination line at the 0.526-mile track, the fourth and final spot was secured by William Byon over Christopher Bell.
The Martinsville race ended with controversy as Bell made a wall-riding move into the final corner, similar to Ross Chastain’s move in this race two years ago. Byron and Bell finished the race on the same points in the final standings.
The move came in a futile attempt to deprive Byron of the final championship 4 spot, but it went in vain as NASCAR deemed it unfair. The #20 JGR driver was penalized four positions to 22nd, and Byron entered the Championship 4 by four points.
Two former NASCAR champions, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, failed to make the Championship race despite podium finishes. Meanwhile, NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin’s first NASCAR title wait continues as he also fell out.
On missing out on the final 4 spot, disappointed Bell spoke to the media post-race and said:
“I don't know what to say. I mean, I didn't advance my position into the wall. I lost time on the racetrack, but it is not meant to be and… it's fine.”
NASCAR Cup Series playoff grid: Drivers who advanced to Championship 4 race
With four drivers now left to fight for the 2024 championship, the defending champion Ryan Blaney has grabbed the top spot to begin the Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway.
Take a look at the four drivers who will have a shot at clinching the 2024 Cup Series championship:
- #12 - Ryan Blaney (5000)
- #22 - Joey Logano (5000)
- #45 - Tyler Reddick (5000)
- #24 - William Byron (5000)
The Cup Series returns next weekend at Phoenix Raceway for the final showdown of the season. The action will go live at 3 pm ET on Sunday, Nov. 10.