With one Round of 8 race left before the 11th Championship 4 weekend decides the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion, the six non-qualified drivers have hard work ahead of them in Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va.
The tight, 0.526-mile speedway that opened in 1947 sits near the North Carolina state line and just a two hours-plus ride for most teams from their Charlotte-area headquarters.
But more is at stake than area bragging rights this weekend for these half-dozen drivers: Two will join Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick and compete for a title next Sunday in Phoenix.
Christopher Bell (+29 points) — No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Bell’s points position gives him a major edge on the field in the elimination race. The Oklahoman has three wins, 14 top fives and 11 stage wins so far. The 29-year-old has more wiggle room than any other racer and would benefit the most by a non-contender taking the checkered flag.
Martinsville wins: 1 (2022)
Championship 4 appearances: (2023, 2022)
William Byron (+7) — No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Byron won three of the season’s first eight races but hasn’t visited Victory Lane since April 7 at the Virginia track. The fourth-place driver also is trying to hold off the winningest driver in the sport. This is the spot where the racing really begins to warm up.
Martinsville wins: 2 (2024, 2022)
Championship 4 appearances: (2023)
Kyle Larson (-7) — No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
What more needs to be said about Larson, who has led a season-high 1,615 laps in one fewer race thanks to some completely dominant race weekends? He ran runner-up to Byron at Martinsville in April, losing by 0.550 seconds, and posted a win and a sixth-place finish in the two events there in 2023.
Martinsville wins: 1 (2023)
Championship 4 appearances: 2 (2023, 2021)
Denny Hamlin (-18) — No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
A strong contender at Martinsville, the Virginia racer is in position to take advantage of a bad day by someone (or two) in front of him, but it would also require a strong run in his Camry. Seemingly unbeatable at times at NASCAR’s shortest track, his last win there was nine years ago.
Martinsville wins: 5 (2015, 2010-twice, 2009, 2008)
Championship 4 appearances: 4 (2021, 2020, 2019, 2014)
Ryan Blaney (-38) — No. 12 Team Penske Ford
The reigning champion made a title run at Phoenix by winning this race, and he’s in a must-win situation again. Blaney was ready to put losing off the final turn in Homestead last Sunday behind him. “We just move on to the next thing — good, bad or indifferent,” the 30-year-old Ohioan said.
Martinsville wins: 1 (2023)
Championship 4 appearances: 1 (2023)
Chase Elliott (-43) — No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
The 2020 Cup champ has five top-three showings since his first race there in March of 2015 and an average finish of 12.7 in 18 starts. He has led 1,104 laps on the paper-clip-like layout, but he needs to lead the 500th (or final one) Sunday for any chance at a second title.
Martinsville wins: 1 (2020)
Championship 4 appearances: 3 (2022, 2021, 2020)
Prediction:
It’s hard to imagine any championship scenario that leaves out Larson and his series-best six victories. However, Bell finds himself in a good place, and Byron is due to show his earlier season strength. The final 50 laps may be the most intense racing this season.
Until Phoenix.
