As the Talladega weekend ended, Ryan Blaney knew that now only a win at Martinsville could punch his ticket to the Championship 4. Anything less and he would be out of championship contention. Unfortunately, the Martinsville weekend didn’t start great. Blaney started with a disappointing 31st-place qualifying effort, which put him deep in the field. But if there’s one thing Blaney’s known for, it’s his ability to rise when the odds stack highest.

As the laps wound down during the Xfinity 500, it looked like he might just pull off the impossible. The No. 12 Ford was charging hard, carving through the pack, keeping the dream alive. But amid the short-track chaos and fierce stage battles, his shot at another title began to fade. The reason? William Byron’s aggressive move in the final phase of the race, which ultimately led to Blaney missing out on a win by less than a second.

And Byron? Let’s just say that, in a post-race interview, he had plenty to say and just enough to clear the air.

Hard racing leads to contact between William Byron and Ryan Blaney

The Martinsville playoff race’s defining moment came with 44 laps to go. William Byron, clawing for a Championship 4 spot, forcefully moved Ryan Blaney off the bottom and into second to seize the race lead. With Blaney charging up from his deep grid position and Byron from pole, both drivers had already established themselves as the class of the field for the race, leading the race for most of its duration in turns.

The decisive battle unfolded in Turn 3, where Byron committed to the inside, getting his nose alongside Blaney and making just enough contact to loosen the No. 12 Ford’s grip. Byron nudged Blaney up the track and grabbed the race lead. The incident was quintessential short-track playoff racing in the penultimate round. Intense, calculated, and, as Byron stressed, “No ill will, but that’s kind of hard racing.” 

Byron and Blaney both needed a win to advance, and that meant neither was willing to back down. Byron also cited the difficulty of timing the move while dealing with a lapped car (that of Ty Dillon), which complicated his sightlines through the turn and forced a split-second decision. “We also have a lapped car. I can’t really see which the lapped car is in that instance,” he clarified.

Blaney’s immediate radio reaction after the incident also highlighted the drama. “Did I give him enough room or did he just turn me?” Crew chief Jonathan Hassler dryly replied, “Yeah, I feel like you did, he just washed up off the bottom.” However, in the post-race interview, William Byron offered an equally candid take. “He was probably leaving just enough space as well, and I was going into the corner committed.”

After the dust settled, Byron masterfully managed the next restart, fended off Blaney, and took the checkered flag ahead of others. The Hendrick Motorsports driver clinched his Championship 4 spot in style, joining teammate Kyle Larson, as Blaney’s title hopes heartbreakingly ended in second place.

It’s team Hendrick vs. team Joe Gibbs at Phoenix

Two Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets and two Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas will square off in a classic team clash at the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 in Phoenix. This year’s final quartet is defined by both veteran credibility and breakthrough storylines, with all four drivers earning their spots through clutch wins and consistent execution under pressure.

William Byron, the regular season winner and the driver who won at Martinsville by leading 304 laps and defeating Blaney in a close battle in the final, is heading into his third straight championship race. Byron, now a proven force at Phoenix, is paired with 2021 champion Kyle Larson. Larson, himself, is making his third appearance in the final four after a crafty points run in the highly competitive Round of 8.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s pairing is equally compelling. Denny Hamlin, the six-time Championship 4 finalist, and arguably the most accomplished active driver still seeking his first title. The veteran brings a season full of victories and a hunger to finally seal the deal. Alongside him is Chase Briscoe. Briscoe is a first-time finalist who clinched his Phoenix berth with a win at Talladega. His impressive qualifying streak, combined with his adaptability, rounds out a duo blending experience and fresh momentum.

With each team fielding a “favorite” and a “dark horse,” this all-star quartet guarantees a showdown loaded with strategy, team pride, and manufacturer rivalry. The first Hendrick vs. JGR head-to-head since the Next Gen era’s start promises a Phoenix finale worthy of NASCAR’s grandest prize. Which team are you rooting for? Do let us know in the comments below.