1 year, 5 months ago

With only 1 race left before NASCAR’s Championship 4 is set, drama awaits in Martinsville

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — There will surely be elaborate permutations to show all the possibilities of what awaits this coming weekend at Martinsville, when six drivers will battle for the final two spots in NASCAR’s Championship 4. Only two of these six drivers — Hamlin, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr. and Chris Buescher — will emerge with a chance to battle Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell in Phoenix on Nov. 5 to win the Cup Series title. I’ll tell you that,” said Joe Gibbs, the owner of three of the playoff cars — Bell, Truex and Hamlin. “I don’t think anything’s a given … but we do have a chance.” Bell knows exactly what the six hopefuls will be thinking this week. “A whirlwind,” Bell said, “for sure.” Larson’s day at Homestead ended when he tried to evade Blaney entering pit road and instead crashed into the 11 barrels of sand that protect drivers from directly smashing into the wall separating that alley from the track itself.

Win Phoenix Bell Hamlin This Guy Nascar Blaney Larson Truex Homestead Martinsville nascars points race set martinsville drama hamlin blaney week championship win bell awaits homestead going final left

History of this topic

2 days, 6 hours ago

Hendrick Motorsports is off to a great start to the NASCAR season, but they’re after perfection

Associated Press

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — It’s been a fast start to the NASCAR season for powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports. The racing team has two wins in the first six Cup Series races of the season, including Kyle Larson’s victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. Perfection is what you’re really looking at.” William Byron — who last month won his second straight Daytona 500 …

1 week, 4 days ago

Jimmie Johnson has texted Christopher Bell after his 3 victories this season. Bell wants a 4th text

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Christopher Bell sometimes can’t believe seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson even knows Bell exists. That is so cool.” Bell’s three straight wins is the Cup Series’ longest winning streak since Kyle Larson won three in a row twice in 2021, and Bell is the first to do it in NASCAR’s Next Gen car, which was introduced in …

1 month, 1 week ago

William Byron avoids late wrecks to win 2nd straight Daytona 500 for Hendrick Motorsports

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla — William Byron fortuitously missed the ferocious wrecks down the stretch at the Daytona 500 that knocked out contenders racing for the checkered flag and left him with a repeat victory in sight. “It’s an amazing race, and obviously a lot of crazy racing out there tonight and just a lot of pushing and shoving.” The 27-year-old …

1 month, 1 week ago

Daytona 500 odds, picks in Cup Series kickoff: Our favorites for ‘NASCAR’s Super Bowl’ and predictions for the year

New York Times

The NFL Super Bowl is over, and it’s time for “NASCAR’s Super Bowl” — the Daytona 500, the crown jewel of NASCAR’s crown jewel races and the official kickoff to the 2025 Cup Series. But when you take into account that this is the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s marquee race — and its richest — this only makes drivers race even …

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Denny Hamlin, NASCAR’s best driver to never win a title, faces a season of changes

New York Times

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — When the black and white Joe Gibbs Racing transporter parked in the garage area for NASCAR’s first race of the season, it drew double takes among even seasoned observers. In some ways, Hamlin said, this is exactly why he and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan have been pursuing an antitrust lawsuit related to NASCAR’s franchise-like “charter” …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

Denny Hamlin won’t guarantee 23XI will be at Daytona 500 following judge’s ruling

Associated Press

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Denny Hamlin, along with Michael Jordan the co-owner of 23XI Racing, for the first time is not guaranteeing their team will field cars at the start of the next season. “There’s certain things that we’re going to have to navigate, so I hope so.” There is a clause in the new charter agreements that begin next season …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

NASCAR defends drivers in Cup Series title race, officiating and playoffs as final weekend arrives

Associated Press

AVONDALE, Ariz. — NASCAR President Steve Phelps defended the four drivers racing for the Cup Series championship this weekend — even though others had better statistics than the finalists — as well as the playoff system itself in Friday’s annual State of the Sport address. Phelps admitted NASCAR has heard fan backlash that the most deserving drivers were eliminated from …

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Back-to-Back NASCAR Showdown at Martinsville: Bell vs. Blaney for Championship

Associated Press

Ryan Blaney secured a chance to defend his Cup Series championship at Martinsville Speedway after a controversial finish. Blaney won the race, but his victory was marred by NASCAR's lengthy review of Christopher Bell's last-lap pass of William Byron. Bell's pass was deemed illegal, and Byron was given the final spot in the winner-take-all race. Blaney will race against Chase …

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Blaney's Sleepless Night at Martinsville Cost Him Sleep and Championship Chances

Associated Press

Ryan Blaney suffered a crushing defeat at the Martinsville Speedway NASCAR race, losing the title to Tyler Reddick. Blaney had the lead in the final lap but made a critical mistake, allowing Reddick to pass him. Despite the setback, Blaney remains in contention for the championship, needing either a win on Sunday or a miracle to secure his title defense.

6 months, 1 week ago

Hamlin says he can win at Bristol and earn automatic berth in 2nd round of NASCAR playoffs

Associated Press

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Denny Hamlin never had a chance to race for the win at Watkins Glen after he was caught up in an opening-lap wreck that knocked fellow playoff driver Ryan Blaney out of the race. Not ideal for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, though his familiar bravado hasn’t waned as NASCAR heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for …

6 months, 1 week ago

Playoff drivers are on edge as NASCAR moves to the second round at Watkins Glen

Associated Press

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Martin Truex Jr. tried to stay optimistic about his slim chance at winning a NASCAR championship in his final season before he conceded, “no matter what we do, it is wrong.” Chase Briscoe is last among the 16 playoff drivers, but he says, count him out at your own risk. In the big scheme of things, …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

NASCAR Playoffs: Don’t look for surprises in the postseason as power programs dominate field

Associated Press

DARLINGTON, S.C. — NASCAR’s regular season finished with a pair of surprises in winless drivers Harrison Burton and Chase Briscoe pulling off unexpected victories at Daytona and Darlington. Don’t look for more stunners when the playoffs start next week and NASCAR’s power programs, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske, dominate the grid with 11 of the 16 drivers …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: All 16 drivers and their chances to win the title

New York Times

DARLINGTON, S.C. — As the checkered flag of Sunday’s marathon Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway ended the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the “Lady in Black” put her own imprint on the playoff grid. Chase Elliott Rank: Seventh Playoff points: 14 Wins: One Best championship finish: First Why he can win: A year after failing to win a race and …

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Stewart-Haas drivers adjusting to uncertain future with NASCAR team planning to fold

Associated Press

MADISON, Ill. — As he’s trying to race his way into the NASCAR Cup series playoffs, Chase Briscoe now faces a fresh challenge with the potential for his Stewart-Haas Racing team to deteriorate around him. “So, yeah, just I’ll be here every weekend.” Other Cup Series contenders said they expect Larson to get the waiver. “There’s some rather unique circumstances …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Byron leads Hendrick Motorsports to 1-2-3 finish at Martinsville on anniversary weekend

Associated Press

William Byron said he had nightmares coming to Martinsville Speedway this weekend, remembering his last visit when he struggled to a 13th-place finish. Electing to stay out on old tires for the two-lap overtime finish, Byron won for the third time this season in eight races and led an historic 1-2-3 finish for Hendrick. Byron took the lead with 73 …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Hendrick Motorsports teammates Byron, Larson say Richmond Raceway challenges their confidence

Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — William Byron already has a pair of victories just six races into the NASCAR Cup Series season, and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson has one, too. “It’s just one of those places we go to that we just don’t have an idea of how it’s going to go,” Byron said Saturday. “I feel like this is one …

1 year ago

Denny Hamlin wins tire-management NASCAR race at Bristol, his 4th victory at the famed bullring

Associated Press

Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, passing Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. in the final laps for his fourth victory at the famed short track. “We got another.” He was booed — no surprise considering Hamlin has become arguably the series’ biggest villain — as he stood atop his No. …

1 year, 1 month ago

William Byron has battled ‘imposter syndrome’ in his climb from computer racer to Daytona 500 champ

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — William Byron grew up in the hotbed of NASCAR, so close to the stars that he could trick-or-treat at Jimmie Johnson’s house every Halloween. Byron on Monday won the rain-postponed Daytona 500 to launch Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary celebration on the exact day the team made its Daytona 500 debut four decades earlier. When you think …

1 year, 1 month ago

Anonymous NASCAR garage poll: Who wins Cup title? Biggest disappointment?

New York Times

Readers can now follow NASCAR, Formula One and other motorsports content separately. He’s been so close and he’s so good in the playoffs.” … “I don’t know why, but my gut is telling me Christopher Bell.” On Byron: “He’s been too fast, and he’s another guy who hasn’t won as much as he should have the past two, three years, …

1 year, 4 months ago

2023 NASCAR Cup Series title race: A look at the final 4 hopefuls in Phoenix

New York Times

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway will feature the youngest group of drivers yet in the 10 years of this format, bookended by a pair of Hendrick Motorsports teammates. Here’s a closer look at the field heading into the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season finale Sunday: William Byron What the stats are saying Races Wins …

1 year, 4 months ago

NASCAR Cup Series Championship: Our experts predict a winner, pick their favorite moments of the season and more

New York Times

The NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race is this weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Jeff: Though NASCAR’s playoff format is complicated for newbies, the championship race is pretty simple: Whichever one of the four eligible drivers finishes ahead of the others is the champion. Jordan: Jeff’s detailed synopsis is excellent, so here is the Cliff Notes version: whomever is the highest finisher …

1 year, 4 months ago

Hendrick Motorsports took a gamble on William Byron. Now he’ll try to win his 1st Cup title

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rick Hendrick first met William Byron as a local Charlotte teenager, fan of Hendrick Motorsports and budding NASCAR driver. 12 Ford, Team Penske DRIVER: Ryan Blaney BORN: Dec. 31, 1993 HOMETOWN: High Point, North Carolina CREW CHIEF: Jonathan Hassler RECORD AT PHOENIX: 0 for 15, but Blaney has back-to-back runner-up finishes at Phoenix, including last year when …

1 year, 4 months ago

Top 5, Martinsville: William Byron, Ryan Blaney bust through to Championship 4

New York Times

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Five thoughts after Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series elimination playoff race at Martinsville Speedway … 1. “We’ve been able to have a really, really good nine weeks so far in the playoffs.” Heat took a toll on William Byron during Sunday’s race. “I’ve never been so bad in the race car,” said Byron, who still managed to advance …

1 year, 4 months ago

Blaney wins Martinsville and will race for 1st Cup title in NASCAR’s championship

Associated Press

Ryan Blaney was in tears back in May when the crowd chanted “Blaney! His third win of the season — equaling his career best — put him in the final four next week at Phoenix Raceway, where he will race Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and William Byron for the Cup championship. Blaney and Byron will race Christopher Bell and Kyle …

1 year, 4 months ago

Ryan Blaney wins NASCAR race at Martinsville, advances to Championship 4; William Byron through on points

New York Times

Ryan Blaney won the NASCAR Cup Series Round 3 elimination race at Martinsville Speedway, clinching a spot in the Championship 4 final that will determine the 2023 Cup champion. “ felt like we put together really strong playoffs, especially the Round of 8.” Blaney said, adding he was “really proud of the whole effort” and “can’t wait to get to …

1 year, 4 months ago

Truex wins pole at Martinsville as he again faces championship elimination in NASCAR playoffs

Associated Press

For the third time in this year’s playoffs, NASCAR regular season champion Martin Truex Jr. is facing elimination and wondering how his title chances have exploded spectacularly. Truex heads into Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway tied with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin at 17 points below the cutoff line. Let’s just go see what we can do.” Christopher Bell, …

1 year, 4 months ago

NASCAR’s playoff push down to the madness of Martinsville with Hamlin and Truex title hopes on line

Associated Press

Denny Hamlin elevated his game this year with the aid of a microphone and a popular new podcast that unveils the insights of the driver considered the best in NASCAR history to never win a Cup Series title. A mechanical failure last week at Homestead-Miami Speedway has put Hamlin’s season on the line as he heads into the last qualifying …

1 year, 4 months ago

NASCAR at Martinsville: Our experts make predictions and picks as the Championship 4 takes shape

New York Times

The Xfinity 500 at Martinsville will determine this season’s final four — who will spend the next three weeks racing for the title. We’ll get to the cut for the Final Four in a minute, but to start with the NOOB question… do the cars generally get Halloween-ed up for a race this close to the holiday? It doesn’t seem …

1 year, 5 months ago

NASCAR playoffs: Who’ll get the last two Championship 4 spots at Martinsville?

New York Times

If we had divided the driver field into tiers when Cup Series playoffs began, the consensus would’ve been that Martin Truex Jr., William Byron, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson deserved a place at the top. Larson guaranteed himself a spot in Championship 4 by winning the Round 3 opener at Las Vegas, while Byron’s high-level consistency has him on the …

1 year, 5 months ago

Top 5, Homestead: NASCAR playoffs get shaken up, track proves its worth again

New York Times

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Five thoughts after Sunday’s Round 3 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway … 1. “You know if you have one bad race, especially in the Round of 8, you’re cooked,” Hamlin said. “There’s just so many variables involved in racing — in the mechanics of your car alone, let alone the other 38 cars out …

1 year, 6 months ago

Byron gets milestone win for Hendrick and moves closer to chance to race for team’s next Cup title

Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas — William Byron grew up a huge fan of Hendrick Motorsports, watching Jimmie Johnson win championships and knowing how much he wanted to drive for that organization one day. The 25-year-old Byron is now a step closer in his sixth Cup season to having an opportunity to race for Rick Hendrick’s next title after getting the team …

1 year, 6 months ago

Top 5, Kansas: Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr. and the NASCAR playoff picture

New York Times

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Five thoughts after Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Kansas Speedway … 1. “That’s the thing about NASCAR racing that is so different from other sports, is things out of your control can keep you from winning,” Hamlin said Sunday after finishing second. “That’s the thing about NASCAR racing … things out of your control …

2 years, 4 months ago

NASCAR Driver Makes Move Straight Out Of A Video Game To Secure Title Spot

Huff Post

LOADING ERROR LOADING Ross Chastain’s aggressive style hasn’t made a lot of friends in NASCAR’s top series. Christopher Bell won his way into NASCAR’s championship race while Chastain used a move more suited for a video game to also advance in Sunday’s thrilling regular-season finale. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/9qX3eq7T6h — NASCAR on NBC October 30, 2022 Chastain credited his video game playing …

2 years, 5 months ago

NASCAR Cup playoffs reset: Who will get the last three spots in the Championship 4?

New York Times

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — There wasn’t much for Ryan Blaney to do other than take full responsibility for the kind of mistake that a driver simply cannot make with so much on the line. Joey Logano Status: Clinched spot in Championship 4 Round 3 finishes: 1st, 18th Summary: The Las Vegas win afforded Logano a de facto bye regardless of how …

2 years, 11 months ago

AUTO RACING: Martinsville next in NASCAR’s short track spree

Associated Press

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Blu-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 Site: Martinsville, Virginia. Last race: Ty Gibbs bumped Joe Gibbs Racing teammate John Hunter Nemechek off the lead on the final lap for his third victory through seven races. Fast Facts: The race is back on the schedule after a two-year hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.. Verstappen’s victory …

3 years ago

William Byron holds on to win chaotic NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta

LA Times

William Byron held off the freight train behind him, taking the checkered flag for his third NASCAR Cup victory while one last crash unfolded behind him in an appropriate finish Sunday to a thrilling, chaotic race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was crazy.” The result was 47 lead changes among an Atlanta-record 20 drivers, a traffic jam of tightly bunched …

3 years, 1 month ago

NASCAR revs up at Daytona with new car, new teams, new look

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Brad Keselowski knew his father was losing his battle with cancer when he promised him he’d win last year’s Daytona 500. “It’s bittersweet that it didn’t happen while he was still alive.” Bob Keselowski died in December, and his son is back at Daytona International Speedway still trying to fulfill his promise. The rebranded RFK Racing …

3 years, 4 months ago

NASCAR championship: Hendrick vs Gibbs, Chevrolet vs Toyota

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR’s championship has come down to a pair of Hall of Fame team owners, two Chevrolets against two Toyotas, racing in the Arizona desert for the sport’s top prize. It is a winner-take-all conclusion at sold-out Phoenix, where Elliott’s victory a year ago clinched the first Cup championship for NASCAR’s most popular driver. “My fans don’t care …

3 years, 4 months ago

Bowman wins as tension builds ahead of NASCAR title race

Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Alex Bowman was the only driver celebrating after NASCAR set its championship four — and he’s not even racing for the title. The Cup will be decided next Sunday at sold-out Phoenix Raceway between favorite Kyle Larson and reigning champion Chase Elliott for Hendrick Motorsports, and Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. for Joe Gibbs Racing. “He’s …

4 years ago

Byron gives NASCAR another surprise winner at Homestead

Associated Press

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — After years of seeing a handful of drivers — the same guys, really — dominate NASCAR’s top level nearly every week, the Cup Series is experiencing a little parity to start the season. “A lot of people obviously made some good decisions on how to get better,” said 2017 series champion Martin Truex Jr., who finished third. …

4 years, 6 months ago

Column: NASCAR's dizzying silly season will change landscape

The Independent

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Former series …

5 years, 1 month ago

Joe Gibbs’ unique place among NASCAR team owners fueled by his work ethic

LA Times

Few in professional sports have had a second career like Joe Gibbs. “I don’t know how you can go through things like that,” Gibbs said. It doesn’t matter what time of day, I always feel like he’s there.” Former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, right, with fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott, left, and Jerry Rice, who were …

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4 days, 2 hours ago