Pit Stop Radio News

Time has come to decide who will make the Championship 4 Round, and the historic 0.526-mile Martinsville Speedway will once again play host to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 8 elimination race, the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, October 29 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The 2023 season marks the 20th year Martinsville Speedway has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race, and the fourth-time the track has hosted the penultimate race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – the Round of 8 elimination race (Race No. 9 of 10). 

Since the inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2004, Martinsville Speedway has occupied three distinct positions on the postseason schedule; from 2004 – 2010 (seven seasons) Martinsville hosted the sixth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Then from 2011 – 2019 (nine seasons) Martinsville Speedway hosted the seventh race in the Playoffs and from 2020 – 2023 (four seasons) Martinsville has hosted the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – the Round of 8 elimination race that will decide the Championship 4. Martinsville Speedway is the third different track to host the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; joining Darlington Raceway (2004) and Phoenix Raceway (2005-2019).

A total of 11 different drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway. Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in postseason wins at Martinsville Speedway with six Playoff victories (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2016). Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in postseason wins at Martinsville with two Playoff victories (2009, 2010). Hamlin is joined by two other active Playoff contenders that have also won a Playoff race at Martinsville – Christopher Bell (2022) and Martin Truex Jr. (2019).

Three times non-Playoff drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway: (2005, 2014, 2021).

1. In 2005, Jeff Gordon was ranked 15th in the points at the time of his Playoff win at Martinsville.

2. In 2014, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 11th in points at the time of the win. Earnhardt Jr. had made the Playoffs in 2014 but was eliminated in the Round of 12. 

3. In 2021, Alex Bowman was 14th in points at the time of the win at Martinsville Speedway, the ninth race of the postseason. Bowman had made the Playoffs in 2021 but was eliminated in the Round of 12. 

Seven times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway has gone on to win the title that same season (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2018, 2020) – tied with Homestead-Miami Speedway for the series-most. 

1. In 2006, Jimmie Johnson won from the ninth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the sixth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first of seven NASCAR Cup Series championships. It was his only win during the 2006 Playoffs.

2. In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the fourth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the sixth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship that same season. The Playoff victory was the first of a record setting four straight postseason wins during the 2007 Playoffs (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix).

3. In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won from the first starting position at Martinsville Speedway (Qualifying was cancelled), then the sixth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three victories during the 2008 Playoffs.

4. In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the fourth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the seventh race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his third NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was one of a record setting five Playoff victories for Stewart during the 2011 postseason.

5. In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the seventh race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his record tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three Playoff victories during the 2016 postseason.

6. In 2018, Joey Logano won from the 10th starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the seventh race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his first of two Playoff victories during the 2018 postseason.

7. In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the eighth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the ninth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three victories during the 2020 postseason.

The worst finish in a Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway by a driver that went on to win the title the same season was 33rd by Kevin Harvick in 2014 – that season Martinsville Speedway was the seventh race in the Playoffs. Last season, Team Penske’s Joey Logano finished sixth at Martinsville, then the ninth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his second career title (2018, 2022).

Penultimate Playoff race offers one last chance to advance

Last season in a must win situation, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell snagged the victory in the ninth race of the Playoffs and won his way into the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Round. This season, Bell (Homestead) and Hendrick Motorsport’s driver Kyle Larson (Las Vegas) have already earned their spots in the Championship 4 by virtue of their wins in the Round of 8, leaving two spots still up for grabs this weekend. 

Since the inception of the elimination-style format in the Playoffs in 2014 (last nine seasons), six of the last nine winners of the ninth race of the Playoffs have earned a spot in to the Championship 4 Round with their victory (66.7%) – Kevin Harvick (2014, Phoenix), Joey Logano (2016, Phoenix), Kyle Busch (2018, Phoenix), Denny Hamlin (2019, Phoenix), Chase Elliott (2020, Martinsville) and Christopher Bell (2022, Martinsville).   

A total of 12 different drivers have won the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (Race 35 of 36). Jimmie Johnson (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009) and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick (2006, 2012, 2013, 2014) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in wins in the ninth race of the postseason with four victories each.

Two active NASCAR Cup Series Playoff contenders have won the ninth race in the postseason previously; Denny Hamlin won at Phoenix in 2019 and Christopher Bell won at Martinsville in 2022. 

Five times non-Playoff drivers have won the ninth Playoff race in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason: (2005, 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2021).

1. In 2005, Kyle Busch was ranked 19th in the points at the time of his win in the ninth race of the Playoffs at Phoenix Raceway.

2. In 2011, Kasey Kahne was ranked 14th in the points at the time of his win in the ninth race of the Playoffs at Phoenix Raceway.

3. In 2015, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was seventh in points at the time of his win in the ninth race of the Playoffs at Phoenix Raceway. Earnhardt Jr. had made the Playoffs in 2015 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.

4. In 2017, Matt Kenseth was seventh in points at the time of his win in the ninth race of the Playoffs at Phoenix Raceway. Kenseth had made the Playoffs in 2017 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.

5. In 2021, Alex Bowman was 14th in points at the time of his win in the ninth race of the Playoffs at Martinsville Speedway. Bowman had made the Playoffs in 2021 but was eliminated in the Round of 12. 

Five times the winner of the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title that same season: (2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2020).

1. In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the sixth starting position at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The Playoff victory was the fourth of a record setting four straight postseason wins during the 2007 Playoffs (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix).

2. In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won from the pole at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his third of three victories during the 2008 Playoffs.

3. In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The victory was his fourth of four wins during the 2009 postseason.

4. In 2014, Kevin Harvick won from the third starting position at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. Harvick faced elimination from the Playoffs heading into this race and become the first to clinch his spot in the Championship 4 by winning the Round of 8 elimination race. The win was also his second of three Playoff victories during the 2014 postseason.

5. In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the eighth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. With the win Elliott became the second driver to earn a spot in the Championship 4 Round by winning the Round of 8 elimination race – joining Kevin Harvick (2014). The win was his second of three Playoff victories during the 2020 postseason. 

The worst finish in the ninth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs by a driver that went on to win the title that same season:

• At Phoenix, 38th by Jimmie Johnson in 2016.

• At Darlington, sixth by Kurt Busch in 2004.

• At Martinsville, 14th by Kyle Larson in 2021.

To catch all the side-by-side action the NASCAR Cup Series is known for at Martinsville, make sure to tune-in to practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying on the USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 28. 

Clinch Scenarios: The penultimate race of the season at Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville Speedway offers one final opportunity in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 for the six postseason competitors not locked-in to compete for the final two open positions in the Championship 4 Round. Two of the coveted four spots are spoken for, thanks to Hendrick Motorsport’s Kyle Larson taking the victory at the Round of 8 opener in Las Vegas and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell purloining the victory at Homestead-Miami. That leaves just two spots open, and we know at least one of two spots will be claimed by a driver on points.

Already Clinched

The following 2 drivers have clinched a spot in the 4-driver field of the next round: Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson.

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 3rd winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among William Byron or Ryan Blaney.

• William Byron: Would clinch with 26 points
• Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 46 points
• Tyler Reddick: Could only clinch with help
• Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help
• Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help
• Chris Buescher: Could only clinch with help

If there is a new winner from Tyler Reddick or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 2nd winless driver in the standings.

• William Byron: Would clinch with 36 points
• Ryan Blaney: Could only clinch with help
• Tyler Reddick: Could only clinch with help
• Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help
• Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Chris Buescher

Final chance for Playoff contenders to race their way into the Championship 4

Currently, Kyle Larson (Las Vegas) and Christopher Bell (Homestead-Miami) are the only two NASCAR Cup Series Playoff contenders to secure their spots in the Championship 4 Round by virtue of their wins. That leaves just two spots up for grabs among the six remaining Playoff challengers, and since the introduction of the ‘elimination-style’ format in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2014, five drivers below the cutline have raced their way into the Championship 4 Round in the ninth and final cutoff race of the Round of 8 over the last nine seasons.

2014: Heading to Phoenix Raceway (the ninth race of the Playoffs) in 2014, Kevin Harvick was ranked eighth in the Playoff standings, six points back from NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon in the fourth and final transfer position to the Championship 4 Round. Kevin Harvick won the race at Phoenix and automatically advanced to the final round. Jeff Gordon finished runner-up, but it was not enough and was bounced out of the Playoffs. The remaining three spots were earned by points with Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman advancing. Harvick would go on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series title in 2014 by winning again the following weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the championship finale – it was the inaugural year of the elimination-style format in the postseason.

2015: The four drivers below the Championship 4 Round cutline heading into the ninth race of the 2015 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 elimination race at Phoenix Raceway – Carl Edwards in fifth (-7 points from Martin Truex Jr. in the fourth and final transfer position on points), Brad Keselowski in sixth (-19), Kurt Busch in seventh (-28) and Joey Logano in eighth (-63) – all failed to advance to the Championship 4 Round and were eliminated from the Playoffs following the Phoenix race. At Phoenix, Truex finished 14th, Logano finished third, Kurt Busch finished seventh, Keselowski finished ninth and Carl Edwards finished 12^th but it wasn’t enough to advance. Jeff Gordon had earned his spot via win in the Round of 8, the three remaining spots were earned on points by Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr.

2016: The four drivers below the Championship 4 Round cutline without a win heading into the ninth race of the 2016 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 elimination race at Phoenix Raceway – Matt Kenseth in fifth (-1 point from the cutoff), Denny Hamlin in sixth (-2), Kevin Harvick in seventh (-18) and Kurt Busch in eighth (-34) – all failed to advance to the Championship 4 Round and were eliminated from the Playoffs following the Phoenix race. At Phoenix, Harvick finished fourth, Kurt Busch finished fifth, Hamlin finished seventh and Matt Kenseth finished 21st but it wasn’t enough to advance. Three of the Championship 4 spots were earned by Round of 8 winners – Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Joey Logano (Logano won the Phoenix elimination race) and Kyle Busch, who finished runner-up at Phoenix, earned the final spot on points.

2017: The four drivers below the Championship 4 Round cutline heading into the ninth race of the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 elimination race at Phoenix Raceway – Denny Hamlin (-19 points from the cutoff), Ryan Blaney (-22), Chase Elliott (-49) and Jimmie Johnson (-51) – all failed to advance to the Championship 4 and were eliminated from the Playoffs following the Phoenix race. At Phoenix, Elliott finished second, Blaney finished 17th, Hamlin finished 35th and Jimmie Johnson finished 39th, but it wasn’t enough to advance. Two of the four Championship 4 spots were earned by Round of 8 winners – Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick – and Martin Truex Jr. (who finished third at Phoenix) and Brad Keselowski (16th at Phoenix) snagged the final two spots on points.

2018: The four drivers below the Championship 4 Round cutline heading into the ninth race of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 elimination race at Phoenix Raceway – Kurt Busch in fifth (-3 points from the cutoff), Chase Elliott in sixth (-17), Aric Almirola in seventh (-35) and Clint Bowyer in eighth (-51) – all failed to advance to the Championship 4 Round and were eliminated from the Playoffs following the Phoenix race. At Phoenix, Almirola finished fourth, Elliott finished 23rd, Kurt Busch finished 32nd and Clint Bowyer finished 35th, but it wasn’t enough to advance. Three of the Championship 4 spots were earned by Round of 8 winners – Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch (Busch won the Phoenix elimination race) and Martin Truex Jr., who finished 14th at Phoenix, earned the final spot on points.

2019: Heading to Phoenix Raceway, the ninth race of the Playoffs in 2019, Denny Hamlin was ranked fifth in the Playoff standings, 20 points back from Joey Logano in the fourth and final transfer position to the Championship 4 Round. Heading into Phoenix, Hamlin ranked fifth (-20 points form the cutline) and was followed by Kyle Larson in sixth (-23), Ryan Blaney in seventh (-23) and Chase Elliott in eighth (-78). Denny Hamlin would win the race at Phoenix and automatically advance to the final round. Joey Logano finished ninth at Phoenix, but it was not enough and was eliminated from the Playoffs. Joining Logano in being eliminated, was Blaney (who finished third at Phoenix), Larson (fourth at Phoenix) and Elliott (39th at Phoenix). Three of the Championship 4 spots were earned by Round of 8 winners – Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin – and Martin Truex Jr., who finished 14th at Phoenix, earned the final spot on points. Hamlin would go on to finish the season fourth in the championship standings.

2020: Heading to Martinsville Speedway, the ninth race of the Playoffs in 2020, the drivers ranked below the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Championship 4 Round cutline were Alex Bowman in fifth (-25), Chase Elliott in sixth (-25), Martin Truex Jr. in seventh (-36) and Kurt Busch in eighth (-81). Chase Elliott would go on to win the Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway clinching his spot in the Championship 4 and bouncing Kevin Harvick (17th-place finish at Martinsville), who was in the fourth and final transfer position on points, out of the final round. Kurt Buch (fifth-place finish), Alex Bowman (sixth) and Martin Truex Jr. (22nd) all failed to make the Championship 4 Round and were eliminated from the Playoffs following Martinsville. Two of the four Championship 4 spots were earned by Round of 8 winners – Joey Logano and Chase Elliott – and Denny Hamlin (who finished 11th at Martinsville), and Brad Keselowski (fourth at Martinsville) snagged the final two spots on points.

2021: Heading to Martinsville Speedway, the ninth race of the Playoffs in 2021, Kyle Busch was ranked in the fourth and final transfer positions on points, and the drivers ranked below the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Championship 4 Round cutline were Ryan Blaney in fifth (-1 point from the Championship 4 cutline), Martin Truex Jr.  in sixth (-3), Brad Keselowski (-6) and Joey Logano (-26). Alex Bowman, a non-Playoff driver would win the Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway and Martin Truex Jr. would race his way into the Championship 4 Round by earning more stage points during the race and finishing fourth at Martinsville Speedway eliminating his teammate Kyle Busch from the postseason. Kyle Busch (runner-up finish), Ryan Blaney (11th-place finish), Brad Keselowski (third-place finish) and Joey Logano (10th-place finish) all failed to make the Championship 4 Round and were eliminated from the Playoffs following Martinsville. Kyle Larson earned his spot in the Championship 4 in 2021 on wins in the Round of 8 at Texas and Kansas, he was joined by Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin, who earned their spots on points.

2022: Heading to Martinsville Speedway, the ninth race of the Playoffs in 2022, William Byron was ranked in the fourth and final transfer positions on points, and the drivers ranked below the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Championship 4 Round cutline were Denny Hamlin in fifth (-5 points from the Championship 4 cutline), Ryan Blaney in sixth (-18), Christopher Bell (-33) and Chase Briscoe (-44). In a must-win situation, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell would win the Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway eliminating his William Byron from the postseason. Ryan Blaney (third-place finish), Denny Hamlin (fifth-place finish), and Chase Briscoe (ninth-place finish) all failed to make the Championship 4 Round and were eliminated from the Playoffs following Martinsville. Ross Chastain was able to maintain his position about the Championship 4 with the now notorious ‘Hail-Melon’ move that had him ride the outside wall in Turns 3 and 4 to pass Hamlin and secure the final position in the next round. Joey Logano earned his spot in the Championship 4 in 2022 on his win in the Round of 8 opener, and he was joined by Christopher Bell with his win at Martinsville and Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain, who earned their spots on points.

Some good ‘ole history on the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville

Opened in September 1947 by H. Clay Earles, Martinsville Speedway, originally a dirt track, is one of the oldest continuously-operating racetracks in the United States. The first NASCAR-sanctioned race at Martinsville Speedway was on July 4, 1948. The first NASCAR Cup Series race was on September 25, 1949 and the race was won by Red Byron in Raymond Park’s 1949 Oldsmobile.

The track has undergone several changes over the years, in 1955 the track was paved and the first 500-lap event at Martinsville Speedway was in 1956. Concrete corners were added atop the asphalt in 1976 and the track added LED lighting during the 2016-2017 offseason. In total, there have been 149 NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, one race in the inaugural year and two races per year since 1950.

Over the years, 63 different drivers have won at least one pole at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, and 29 of the 63 have won multiple poles. NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip leads the series in poles at Martinsville Speedway with eight (1979, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1992). Eight of the 63 NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Speedway pole winners are active this weekend, led by Joey Logano with five Martinsville poles (2015 sweep, spring 2016, fall 2017, spring 2019). 

A total of 58 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won a race at Martinsville Speedway, and 27 of the 58 different NASCAR Cup Series winners at Martinsville Speedway have won multiple times. NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Martinsville Speedway with 15 victories (1960, 1962, 1963, 1967 sweep, 1968, 1969 sweep, 1970, 1971, 1972 sweep, 1973, 1975, 1979). Twelve of the 58 NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Speedway race winners are active this weekend, led by Denny Hamlin with five Martinsville Cup Series victories (2008, 2009, 2010 sweep, 2015).

Above The Line: Byron and Blaney will look to hold on at Martinsville

The two drivers above the cutoff for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Championship 4 Round – Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron (+30), and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney (+10) – will have to be at their best this weekend at Martinsville Speedway to hold off the four drivers below the cutline vying for their positions.

The 25-year-old, Hendrick Motorsports’ driver William Byron heads to Martinsville Speedway this weekend as the highest ranked competitor not already locked into the Championship 4 Round with +30 points above the elimination cutline. Byron, in his fifth appearance in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2023, ’22, ’21 ’20, ’19), is looking to make the Championship 4 Round for the first-time in his career. The North Carolina native has made 11 series starts at the Martinsville short track, collecting one win (April 2022), four top fives, six top 10s and an average finish of 15.1. He finished 23rd at Martinsville earlier this season.

Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney shows up to Martinsville Speedway this weekend with a chip on his shoulder after how he was raced at Homestead-Miami.

“You definitely have to take,” said Blaney in his media availability this week. “Everybody in the Playoffs now, there’s no give anymore. It’s all take, and that’s what you have to do. People approach it differently. Everyone is different of how much they take and how they take it, but you can’t give anymore. If you’re giving, you’re going backwards, so it depends what spot you’re in, but in the Playoffs it’s hard to give. You have to be on the aggressive side and take and that’s just the nature of what it is.”

Now the North Carolina native sits in the fourth and final spot to transfer on points to the Championship 4 Round, up just +10 points on 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick in fifth – the first position outside the cutoff. The 29-year-old, Blaney, is on the hunt for his first career appearance in the Championship 4 Round. Looking to Martinsville, Blaney has made 15 career starts at 0.526-mile track, putting up seven top fives and nine top 10s. His average finish at the historic short track is 9.5, and he has finished seventh at Martinsville earlier this season.

Outside Looking In: Reddick, Truex, Hamlin, Buescher have one shot left to make Champ 4

It all comes down to this weekend at Martinsville Speedway and the Xfinity 500 (Sunday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) to decide who will move on and compete for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series title at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 5. Four drivers are facing elimination heading into this weekend – 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick (-10), Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. (-17) and Denny Hamlin (-17) and RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher (-43) – and will have to battle it out to earn their spot in the Playoffs’ final round.

23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick is hoping to advance to the Championship 4 Round this season, as it would be uncharted territory, not only for himself and his career, but also for 23XI Racing and car owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin (in this role) as well. Reddick is currently in the fifth position in the Playoff outlook, 10 points back from Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney in the fourth and final spot on points. Unfortunately for Reddick, Martinsville is where we decide who will advance, a track he hasn’t had much luck at. In seven Cup Series starts, Reddick has put up one top-10 finish. His average finish at the 0.526-mile track is 20.1, and he finished in 22nd at Martinsville earlier this season. 

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin is looking to make the final Playoff round for the fifth-time in his career (2014, 2019, 2020, 2021), and is currently in sixth in the Playoff outlook, 17 points back from Ryan Blaney in the fourth and final transfer spot on points. Fortunately for the 42-year-old Hamlin, Martinsville Speedway is one of his best tracks, and considered one of his home tracks. In 35 career Cup starts at the 0.526-mile short track, the Virginia native has accumulated four poles, five wins (most among active drivers), 18 top fives and 24 top 10s. His average finish at Martinsville is 10.3 – the best among Playoff contenders below the cutline this weekend. Hamlin finished in fourth at Martinsville earlier this season. 

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. has been on a roller coaster of a Playoff run this season and has been scrapping-by each round having only posted one top-10 finish during the postseason. Now the 2023 Regular Season Champion sits in seventh in the Playoff outlook 17 points behind Blaney in fourth. Truex is looking to make the Championship 4 Round for what would be a series-leading tie breaking sixth-time in his career (2021, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’15). Truex is currently tied with Joey Logano (2022, ’20, ’18, ’16, ’14), Kevin Harvick (2019, ’18, ’17, ’15, ’14) and Kyle Busch (2019, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15) for the most Championship 4 Round appearances with five each. When it comes to Martinsville, The 43-year-old, Truex, has had his moments in the spotlight. In 35 series starts at Martinsville, he has amassed three wins, 10 top fives, 16 top 10s and has an average finish of 16.0. He finished third at Martinsville earlier this season.

Facing a must-win situation, RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher has nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Texas native is buried in a deficit of points in the Playoff outlook, 43 markers back from the Championship 4 Round cutline, and is looking to earn a spot in the Playoffs final round for the first-time in his career. The 30-year-old, Buescher has made 16 career starts at Martinsville putting up one top-10 finish. His average finish at 0.526-mile short track is 19.4. He finished 14th at Martinsville early this season.

NASCAR PR