Ryan Blaney Wins at Martinsville to Clinch the Final Four for the NASXAR Cup Chanpionship

Blaney Celebrates at Martinsville - AP Photo

MARTINSVILLE, VA – RIS - In a controversial finish, Ryan Blaney won at Martinsville Speedway for the second consecutive year, advancing to the Championship 4 round to defend his title next week.
The Nov. 10 championship race at Phoenix will feature Blaney vs. Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano and William Byron, who was awarded the final title berth in the title race after NASCAR officials ruled more than 20 minutes after the race that Christopher Bell committed a safety violation on the final lap by riding the wall to pass Bubba Wallace in the last corner for 18th.
“I’m not happy for anything, but the rule is what it is,” Byron said after the race . “We’ll go race. Just proud of my team.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Bell told NBC Sports’ Dave Burns. “I understand the rule is made to prevent people from riding the wall, but my move was completely different than Ross riding the wall. I don’t know what to say.”
Ryan Blaney earned a chance to defend his Cup Series championship with a victory Sunday , where a controversial finish forced NASCAR to decide if Christopher Bell or William Byron took the final spot in the winner-take-all season finale.
The ending was marred by NASCAR’s lengthy review of Bell potentially committing a safety violation with his last-lap pass of Byron. Bell hit the wall and rode a portion of it for momentum — the same thing Ross Chastain did two years ago in a move that has since been banned by NASCAR.
Blaney, meanwhile, passed Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go to win at the Virginia track for a second consecutive year and take a spot in the championship race next week at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney will race Penske teammate Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Byron. The title goes to the highest-finishing driver next Sunday.
“To have another shot at the championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to go back-to-back next week. I’ve got nothing left. Oh my God, I’m tired.”
Blaney lost an automatic berth into the finale when Reddick passed him in the final turn at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The victory gives team owner Roger Penske two chances to win a third title this year: Penske teams won the sports car championships in both IMSA and on Saturday the World Endurance Championship.

The racing was typical of races at the half-mile speedway, but unusual that the first two stages were relatively calm. Lots of leaders and just a few cautions. The final stage saw the fireworks.

Ronald Fleshman and John Davison

Ron Fleshman  and John Davison are Editors at ris-news.com

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Volume 2024, Issue 11, Posted 7:04 PM, 11.03.2024