EAST LANSING- The NASCAR Cup Series returns for the second-to-last race of the season. The round of 8 comes to a close at Martinsville Speedway for the Xfinity 500. Eight playoff drivers entered this race, with only four drivers leaving with a spot in the championship at Phoenix Raceway.
Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe have already locked themselves in with their wins over the past two weeks, which leaves two spots up for grabs.
The Xfinity 500 is a 500-lap race around the half mile track of Martinsville Speedway. Throughout this race we saw a lot of braking, bumping, and tempers flaring.
The race started with William Byron and Ty Gibbs on the front row. Starting on the preferred inside line, Byron kept the lead on lap 1, and continued to lead. On Lap 29, Suarez drew out the first caution. Everyone came to pit.
Blaney, who is in a must-win position started this race in 31st. Early opening speed for him brought him up to seventh by the end of stage one.
Bryon led all 125 laps in stage 1, making it clear that he was the dominant car thus far in the race. Playoff drivers Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott followed behind him.
With the field bunched up for the start of stage two, we will see what Blaney can do now that he is toward the front of the pack.
On lap 216, Michigan born driver Carson Hocevar spun, bringing out the caution. Less than 15 laps later, a check up in the corner sent Cole Custer spinning on lap 230.
An 11 lap shootout for the end of stage two led William Byron to green. Holding off the field behind him, he swept both stages one & two.
After the pit cycle, Blaney inherited the front row, and William Byron had to start the final stage in seventh. With Blaney putting on a strong showing throughout the day, he was the only other car that could seemingly contest with Byron.
Nearing 100 laps to go, the field was bunched up after another caution flew from Carson Hocevar. Coming to the restart, we saw Ryan Blaney and William Byron on the front row. A good restart by Blaney got him out in the lead. Holding a nearly one second gap over second place, Blaney started to navigate through lap traffic. Blaney began to deal with faster tire wear than expected and began to struggle.
With 50 laps to go, Byron closed the gap to the lead. On lap 458, Byron took advantage of the struggling Blaney. After some contact entering the corner, Byron retook the lead within the closing laps.
In classic Martinsville fashion, the late race caution came out on lap 483. With 10 to go on the final restart, Byron held the lead and kept Blaney out of position for a dive-bomb move.
As the checkered flag waved, Byron was the first to complete the 500 laps and is the winner of the 2025 Xfinity 500. With that win he joins Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin to race next week for the championship. The fourth and final spot in the championship goes to leader in points, Kyle Larson.
Eliminated from the playoffs were Both Penske drivers Joey Logano & Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, and Chase Elliott.
The regular season champion William Byron showed up, leading an exceptional 304 of 500 laps.
You can catch the Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 2 3:00 PM ET. Joe Gibbs teammates Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin take on the Hendrick teammates of William Byron and Kyle Larson. Only one driver can win the Championship, who will it be?
