William Byron won at Martinsville to reach the Championship 4 of the NASCAR Playoffs, with Kyle Larson also advancing after a dramatic race on Sunday evening
Hendrick Motorsports celebrated a dramatic day with William Byron and Kyle Larson advancing(Image: Getty)
Hendrick Motorsports emerged victorious on Sunday, with Kyle Larson and William Byron securing their spots in the Championship 4 of the NASCAR Playoffs, bouncing back from a disastrous performance at Talladega Superspeedway the previous week.
Byron and Larson will join Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in the Championship 4, set to take place at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 2. Prior to Sunday’s race, Larson and Christopher Bell were holding onto the last two spots, but Martinsville brought about a significant shakeup as Hamlin’s warning to JGR came true in devastating fashion.
Ryan Blaney just missed his chance to secure his spot, finishing second behind Byron, who ultimately advanced. Despite a grim outlook for Hendrick Motorsports last week, a remarkable comeback sparked jubilant celebrations.
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Briscoe’s win at Talladega secured his spot alongside Hamlin in the Championship 4, meaning two JGR drivers are in the running for the title. While JGR was celebrating, Hendrick drivers Chase Elliott, Larson, and Byron faced late-race challenges.
Elliott’s failure to finish cost him dearly at Martinsville, while both Larson and Byron ended up near the back of the pack. However, Byron’s victory knocked out JGR driver Bell, and Team Penske’s star Blaney was also left out.
After the Talladega debacle, Hendrick feared they might not have any cars vying for the NASCAR Championship, but now they have two drivers in the mix. With no cars in contention from Penske, Hamlin and Briscoe of JGR will go head-to-head with Byron and Larson of Hendrick.
Blaney, who came in just behind Byron and will now compete for enjoyment next week, felt let down but had no grievances on Sunday. “The 24 was the best car all night,” he said.
“You don’t lead 350 laps without being the best car all night. He just kept rear-driving it, a lot longer than me. I thought I got a good restart… he just broke through the middle, throttle up, drove away from me. That was all I had.”
Ryan Blaney credited William Byron as the deserved winner(Image: Getty)
Hamlin and Briscoe experienced engine problems and couldn’t complete Sunday’s race, which created opportunities for others. Nevertheless, with their Championship 4 positions secured, it didn’t affect the drivers or JGR.
“I didn’t feel anything. The engine was running and then not,” Hamlin said. “We’ll work on it. I’m obviously concerned, but obviously nothing I can do about it.
“So we’re going to have to live with it, and hopefully we get lucky next week. I’m confident on speed we’ll be good next week. We’ll bring our best and hopefully it lasts.”
Briscoe experienced a comparable malfunction, which was a major worry for JGR. The team and both crews can’t handle any additional mechanical problems at Phoenix Raceway next week.
“Went to upshift and something happened,” Briscoe said. “Not really sure but next week is what it’s all about anyway.”
Hendrick Motorsports celebrated a dramatic day with William Byron and Kyle Larson advancing(Image: Getty)