Ryan Blaney wins Martinsville, secures spot in Championship 4, jumps to GFT P1 ranking

3 November 2024
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News

MARTINSVILLE, VA — For the second consecutive year, Ryan Blaney clinched victory in the Round of 8 elimination race, securing his spot in the Championship 4 finale at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, November 10.

Blaney’s decisive move came on Lap 486 of 500, where he overtook Chase Elliott to take the lead. Following the intense battle for the lead from his playoff competitors (Elliott, Byron and Larson), Blaney managed to pull away, finishing 2.593 seconds ahead of Elliott. This victory not only marked Blaney’s third win of the season but also his second at the 0.526-mile short track, bringing his career total to 13 wins.

An overhead shot of Ryan Blaney in Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway. (Image Credit: Jonathan Bachman_Getty Images)

GFT AI Driver Rankings — after Martinsville

Go Full Throttle NASCAR Cup Series AI Driver Rankings following the Xfinity 500 on November 3, 2024 at Martinsville Speedway (Image Credit: GFT Digital)

The race was not without its controversies. Christopher Bell’s wall maneuver (an abbreviated “Hail Mellon” in the final corner, which resulted in a penalty, added to the drama. Bell’s attempt to secure a spot in the Championship 4 by riding the wall was deemed a safety violation by NASCAR, leading to a four-position penalty and allowing William Byron to advance to the Championship 4. Byron joins race winner Blaney, Tylor Reddick, and Joey Logano as the four drivers eligible to earn the NASCAR Cup Series Championship next week in Phoenix.

Throughout the race, Blaney focused on preserving his tires, particularly in the final 70 laps. Other notable performances by Playoff drivers:
Chase Elliott — 2nd
Kyle Larson — 3rd
Denny Hamlin — 5th

Ryan Blaney, in the №12 Team Penske Ford, leads the way at Martinsville Speedway. (Image Credit: Brittney Wilbur | NASCAR Digital Media)

Brad Keselowski led a race-high 170 laps and won the second stage, but got boxed in and could not advance in the final laps, finishing P9. However, it was Blaney’s night, as he joined his teammate Joey Logano in the Championship 4, setting the stage for an exciting finale at Phoenix Raceway.

GFT NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings — after Martinsville

With the win, Ryan Blaney joins Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick in the Championship 4. The 4th was awarded to William Byron who finished 6th and gets the spot over Christopher Bell after the “Safety” penalty was assessed and Bell was dropped to a 22nd place finish.

Up next: The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday November 10.