Expect the unexpected! The Martinsville race is a testament to the age-old saying, and NASCAR couldn’t agree more. Dale Earnhardt Jr. made headlines not too long ago when he confidently placed Ryan Blaney in his Championship-4 predictions, bypassing some of the sport’s heavyweights. Fast forward a few months, and Junior’s foresight is spot on. On Sunday, Oct. 29, Ryan Blaney raced to victory at Martinsville Speedway, ensuring his spot in the Championship 4 for the very first time in his NASCAR Cup Series journey. The highlight? He overtook Aric Almirola in the race’s thrilling final moments. 

Marking his 10th career win and third triumph of the 2023 season, Ryan Blaney was nothing short of spectacular in the Xfinity 500. He led for a whopping 145 laps, clinched second in Stage 1, and took home both Stage 2 and the race titles. The Phoenix title chase is now within his grasp. The magnitude of this accomplishment became evident during the post-race interview, where Blaney couldn’t hold back his emotions.

Ryan Blaney reveals why this win is significant to him

The track was abuzz with Aric Almirola‘s recent news, deciding to bid adieu to Stewart-Haas Racing post-season. Chase Briscoe, another Stewart-Haas Racing maestro, landed in fourth, with Joey Logano rounding out the top five. Denny Hamlin’s prowess was on full display as he clinched the first-stage victory. However, this stage also saw the race’s inaugural caution on lap 104 due to Harrison Burton, Alex Bowman, and Corey LaJoie’s collisions. But the chaos was a boon for Blaney, who, after a post-pit stop, restarted and finished P2 after Stage 1.

As the race intensified, playoff contenders William Byron and Tyler Reddick faced some setbacks, slipping outside the top 20 while Ryan Blaney won Stage 2. Stage 3’s restart was a nail-biter, with Denny Hamlin nudging Blaney, almost causing him to lose control. But the No. 12 Ford, with impeccable skills, retained the lead. A twist soon followed, with Logano causing Gibbs to spin, pulling Daniel Suarez, Brad Keselowski, and a few others into the mayhem.

Team Penske No. 12 showcased dominance in subsequent restarts. However, it looks like the 29-year-old’s fuel strategy came into play again after Michael McDowell‘s spin on lap 323. This resulted in a fierce battle for the lead between Chase Elliott and Corey LaJoie. As the laps dwindled down, the No. 10 Ford snatched the lead from the No. 9 Chevy, but the No. 12 reclaimed the top spot with a mere 23 laps remaining, sprinting to the finish line and securing his spot in the Championship 4.

Upon his win, an eager pit reporter approached Blaney for his initial reactions. Overwhelmed and teary-eyed, Ryan Blaney reflected on his roots, wore his heart on his sleeve, and confessed, “It’s awesome. I grew up in High Point, not too far from here, closer to High Point, closer to Martinsville than Charlotte, so really cool. I have been wanting to win here for a long time. Just been super close for many years and awesome to close one out.” 

Ryan Blaney entered the event with a 9.5 average at Martinsville Raceway, seven top-5s, and nine top-10s, but had never won a race there previously, which made it even more special for him. While he basked in his success, the spotlight also shone on a Hendrick Motorsports driver who clinched a spot in the Championship-4 based on points.

Watch This Story: Blaney’s Triumph Amidst Hamlin’s Tactics

Rick Hendrick’s ace driver leaves Denny Hamlin eating his dust in points

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William Byron snagged the coveted final spot, marking his territory with a P13 finish at Martinsville. William Byron, the master of the tracks, topped the Cup Series with a whopping six wins this season. Despite a limp to the top-15 spot at Martinsville, he clinched his Championship-4 berth. Thanks to a season’s worth of bonus points, the No. 24 managed to speed past the No. 11.

The race wasn’t all smooth sailing for the HMS driver. He faced challenges head-on, but Blaney’s stellar performance in both stages meant that Byron’s lead was precariously hanging by a thread. As for JGR No. 11, the stakes were sky-high. Sitting behind the Team Penske driver in the rankings, Denny Hamlin knew he needed more than just luck. A victory was his golden ticket to the Championship-4. Despite scoring big in both stages and momentarily eclipsing William Byron, the latter’s resilience saw him secure a respectable 13th place, pushing Denny Hamlin to chase down Ryan Blaney for the win.

“He Hasn’t Won” – Championship-Less Denny Hamlin Dealt With Harsh Blow by Former NBA Star, as Ryan Blaney Shines Bright

And now, it’s the big Phoenix race! Ryan Blaney and William Byron are all revved up to challenge Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson in the grand finale at Phoenix Raceway. And remember, it’s all about being the top racer on the day to clinch that coveted Cup championship!