NASCAR Weekend Recap (Martinville Speedway)

Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup); Austin Hill (Xfinity); Daniel Hemric (Trucks)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin Dominates for First Martinsville Win in a Decade

 

It didn’t take Denny Hamlin long to find the recipe for success in Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. 

 

Hamlin grabbed the lead on Lap 126 of 400 in the seventh NASCAR Cup Series race of the season and never looked back.

 

With flawless work from his pit crew, the driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota led 274 of the last 275 laps — with the only exception a lap credited to polesitter Christopher Bell, who raced side-by-side with Hamlin after the final restart on Lap 326.

 

Hamlin pulled away toward the end of the final 75-lap green-flag run and beat Bell, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, to the finish line by 4.617 seconds.

 

The victory was Hamlin’s sixth at the 0.526-mile short track, most among full-time active drivers, but his first at Martinsville since 2015. It was his first victory of the season and the 55th of his career, tying him with Rusty Wallace for 11th on the career victory list.

 

“You know, Chris Gayle, all the engineers, the pit crew, everybody really on that wall right there, just deciding they were going to come here with a different approach than what we’ve been over the last few years,” said Hamlin, who won at Martinsville for the first time with the Gen 7 race car.

 

“It was just amazing. The car was great. It did everything I needed it to do. Just so happy to win with Chris, get 55 … Obviously, back here in Martinsville where I spent so many years racing late models and whatnot — gosh, I love winning here.”

 

🙋🏻‍♂️ 1 - 🌎 0 pic.twitter.com/dgdrt9E1HF

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) March 30, 2025

Pole: Christopher Bell

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 3:00 pm ET for the ‘Goodyear 400’ at Darlington Raceway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Austin Hill Wins Bizarre, Action-Filled #NASCAR Xfinity Race at Martinsville

 

The speedway that robbed Austin Hill of a spot in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4 two years ago gave him a gift on Saturday.

 

Diving underneath a trio of wrecking cars in the final corner of overtime at Martinsville Speedway, Hill beat perennial bridesmaid Sheldon Creed to the finish line by 0.190 seconds to win Saturday’s US Marine Corps 250, giving Richard Childress his 100th win in the series and earning a $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus for the unlikely winner.

 

“I chose the bottom because of how rough everybody was on restarts,” Hill said of the overtime. “I had to do what I had to do on the last lap. On that restart, it just got wild. We were definitely leaning on each other, and getting into (Turn) 3, I knew we were all going to get beating and banging, and I just drove it in as deep as I could.

 

“They all hit each other, and I hit the 7 (Allgaier) a little bit and dumped him off and got on the apron there and came home with the win… Man, I’m in disbelief that we’re in Victory Lane right not. It’s unbelievable. I actually said at the end of the race that I hated this place because of all the beating and banging that was going on-and to top it off, we won a hundred grand!”

 

A replay of the #NASCAROvertime finish at @MartinsvilleSwy. pic.twitter.com/fGJecynkQT

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 29, 2025

Pole: Connor Zilisch

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 3:30 pm ET for the ‘Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200’ at Darlington Raceway.

NASCAR Trucks

Daniel Hemric Claims First NASCAR Truck Series Win in Martinsville Shootout

 

During the week before Friday night’s Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge 200 at Martinsville Speedway, Daniel Hemric practiced his back flip.

 

It was the signature move he had been able to use just once in NASCAR national series competition-when he won the 2021 season finale at Phoenix Raceway to clinch the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship.

 

But on Friday, the 34-year-old from Kannapolis, N.C., had a chance to perform the celebratory move once again, after capitalizing on the misfortunes of others-notably series leader Corey Heim-to win the first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race of his career.

 

Hemric even stuck the landing, reveling in the race win that earned him a coveted grandfather clock trophy and a $50,000 Triple Truck Challenge bonus as the highest finishing series regular.

 

“It’s a funny thing, because my wife asked me a couple weeks ago if I was not too old to do it,” Hemric said of the back flip. “I practiced once last week in the back yard and did a back flip on solid ground.

 

“I thought, ‘The old man’s still got it,’ and I proved that tonight.”

 

Just enjoy the journey ... and the $50k! pic.twitter.com/mf9a7N7m2H

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 29, 2025

Pole: Corey Heim

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the Weather Guard Truck Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

ARCA

No ARCA Races Last Weekend

 

Sharpies and hero cards are always a good combo 😃 pic.twitter.com/NTWoKVNgCe

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 27, 2025

Next Race: The ARCA Series West will return on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. MT for the ARCA Menards Series 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame at Tucson Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Named Entitlement Partner

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Today at Martinsville Speedway

 

The Marine Corps 250 Honors the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps #MarineCorps250 #NASCAR #MartinsvilleSpeedway #USMC #HonorCourageCommitment

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and Martinsville Speedway are teaming up for the triple-header spring race weekend at the famed short track, honoring the military branch’s 250th anniversary with the Marine Corps 250 Xfinity Series race today (Saturday, March 29).

 

2025 marks 250 years since the U.S. Marine Corps was founded back in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775. For two and a half centuries, “The Few” have fought our nation’s battles and protected its future.

 

“It’s an incredible thing to honor the men and women of one of our longstanding military branches here at Martinsville Speedway,” said Clay Campbell, President of Martinsville Speedway. “The United States Marine Corps embodies toughness, resilience and fearlessness every day, inspiring us in all that we do. We hope to reflect those same values as we bring our NASCAR community together for this race weekend at our historic venue.”

 

The Marine Corps has gone through many changes since 1775, but the character of the individual Marine and the values they uphold have never changed. Every Marine, from the birth of the Corps through today, has been a model of honor, courage, and commitment.

 

“The Marine Corps has epitomized selfless service and sacrifice for our nation for 250 years,” said Maj Gen James W. Lukeman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. “This milestone is an opportunity for Americans to come together and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve. We are deeply grateful for the support of our partners in ensuring this anniversary is celebrated with the recognition it so profoundly deserves.”

 

Tune in today at 5 PM EST on CW Sports to watch the Marine Corps take center stage in this high-octane celebration of 250 years of service, tradition, and American pride.https://t.co/JySzWZDupJ https://t.co/t6oKEkCQsZ

— Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (@MarineCorpsFdn) March 29, 2025

 

source: Martinsville Speedway Media

NASCAR Race Recap (Martinsville)

Winners: Ryan Blaney (Cup); Aric Almirola (Xfinity); Christian Eckes (Trucks)

NASCAR Cup

Ryan Blaney Passes Chase Elliott for the Cup Win

 

Ryan Blaney earned a chance to defend his NASCAR championship with a victory Sunday at Martinsville Speedway that pushed the Team Penske driver into the winner-take-all season finale

 

Blaney, passed Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go to win at the Virginia track for a second consecutive year and take a spot in the championship race next week at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney will race Penske teammate Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Byron.

 

The title goes to the highest-finishing driver next Sunday.

 

“To have another shot at the championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to go back-to-back next week. I’ve got nothing left. Oh my God, I’m tired.”

 

A memorable @Blaney celebration. #NASCARPlayoffs #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/lPFYio37PI

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 3, 2024

Pole: Martin Truex Jr.

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday November 10, 2024 at 3:00 pm ET for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Aric Almirola Sweeps ’24 Xfinity Series Races at Martinsville

 

Tickets punched and punches thrown – it was Martinsville after all, and in Saturday’s National Debt Relief 250, Aric Almirola made Martinsville Speedway his personal playground.

 

Leading 150 of 250 laps in a No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota that was the clear class of the field, Almirola won his second race in his second NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 0.526-mile short track and earned a spot for his car in the series owners’ Championship 4.

 

For Almirola, who won at Martinsville in April in his first Xfinity attempt, the victory was the third of the season in 13 starts and the seventh of his career.

 

“We had an amazing car here in the spring, and we made a few tweaks to it,” said Almirola, who also swept the first and second stages. “I wasn’t totally happy with it, honestly, in the spring. And we showed up (Friday) and we were awful. I was like ‘Oh, no, what did we do?’ ”

 

“They went to work last night and came up with a lot of changes to make to the car, and it was so hooked up today. It would just do everything I wanted it to. This is such a special place. This is by far my favorite race track. I’m just so thankful.”

 

Stage 1 ✅
Stage 2 ✅
Checkered flag ✅

Have yourself a night, @Aric_Almirola! 👏 pic.twitter.com/7nxieOfksm

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 2, 2024

Pole: Parker Retzlaff

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday November 9, 2024 at 7:30 pm ET for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR Trucks

Christian Eckes Survives Late-Race Restarts, Dominates Truck Series Race at Martinsville

 

It was indeed a special night for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Christian Eckes, who dominated Friday night’s Long John Silver’s 200 at Martinsville Speedway.

 

Eschewing a trip to pit road between the first and second stages at the 0.526-mile short track, Eckes led the first 104 laps, swept the stages and worked his way back through the field from 19th after pitting at the Stage 2 break.

 

Undeterred by the chaos that produced 11 cautions for 81 laps, Eckes took the lead for the final time on Lap 172 in a side-by-side battle against pole winner Ty Majeski, who regained the top spot when Eckes came to pit road for the only time during the 200-lap event.

 

“Something really special,” Eckes said of the effort of his No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing team and the quality of his Chevrolet. “We came here last year, and we weren’t really that great… we were maybe a sixth-place truck (started sixth and finished 15th).

 

“And we worked really hard on it, and here we are in Victory Lane. So just super proud of this entire team.”

 

NEWS: The No. 19 truck clears post-race inspection at @MartinsvilleSwy. @christianeckes' #NASCARPlayoffs victory is official and he is locked into the #Championship4! pic.twitter.com/gW0LdQ0yRk

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 2, 2024

Pole: Christian Eckes

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday November 8, 2024 at 8:00 pm ET for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.

ARCA West

One more race. pic.twitter.com/52yrol251m

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) October 27, 2024

Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. MT for the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 at Phoenix Raceway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

Christian Eckes Wins at Martinsville after Drama-Filled Closing Laps

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Christian Eckes wasn’t about to lose a race he had dominated, even if it meant using the front bumper on his No. 19 Chevrolet-twice.

 

After a restart with five laps left in Friday night’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 at Martinsville Speedway, Eckes first moved the Toyota of Taylor Gray and then the Ford of Ben Rhodes-both of which were rolling on 40-lap fresher tires-to win the race and earn a spot in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Championship 4 Race.

 

Six-time winner Corey Heim ran seventh and Ty Majeski came home 11th, as both earned berths in the Championship 4 on points, eliminating Gray, Nick Sanchez, Tyler Ankrum and Rajah Caruth in the final event of the Playoffs’ Round of 8.

 

Eckes, Heim, Majeski and Grant Enfinger will race for the title next Friday at Phoenix Raceway (8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

After the restart on Lap 196 of 200, Gray used his better tires to squeeze past Eckes to the inside. Eckes regained the top spot by moving Gray up the track. A lap later, Rhodes passed Eckes, who completed the fourth lead change in the final five laps by shoving the No. 99 Ford on Lap 198.

 

Free of his competitors, Eckes crossed the finish line two laps later, 1.191 seconds ahead of Rhodes. Chase Purdy and Gray were third and fourth, followed by Sanchez.

 

“Like I told everybody, I wasn’t going to lose this race-this truck was too good,” Eckes said. “The 17 (Gray) was hard racing. I feel bad about the 99 (Rhodes). I just got way too loose entering the corner.

 

“(Hearing boos from the crowd). Everybody’s really happy with me-but I don’t really care. I’m proud of everybody for working hard, and we’re going to Phoenix.”

 

The victory was Eckes’ fourth of the season, his second at Martinsville and the ninth of his career, but it came with a price.

 

After climbing from his truck, Gray walked angrily toward Eckes and expressed his displeasure in no uncertain terms.

 

A victory would have landed Gray in the Championship 4 at the expense of Majeski, who instead claimed the last spot by 28 points over Gray.

 

“I got sent to the fence when I raced him perfectly clean in (Turns) 1 and 2,” Gray said. “What goes around comes around. I have to race him next year all year long (when both move up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series).

 

“The 19 (Eckes) was the class of the field, right? But it’s not my fault we had better strategy than he did. We came out on tires; we drove through the field and we drove to him. I raced him clean, and he drove me in the fence. I guess the only thing I could have done is wreck him like he wrecked me.”

 

Eckes swept the first two stages, his series-best 10th and 11th of the season and led 187 of the 200 laps. He held a substantial lead before a six-car accident in Turn 2 on Lap 190 caused the sixth and final caution and set up the frenetic finish.

 

For practical purposes, Gray, Sanchez, Ankrum and Caruth entered the race in must-win situations. Ankrum finished eighth, and Caruth came home 31st after losing 21 laps in the garage as his team repaired a brake issue on his No. 71 Chevrolet.

 

Despite finishing third in each of the first two stages, Sanchez was 39 points out of a Championship 4 position when the race ended.

He was not giving up this win. @christianeckes wins and locks himself into the #Championship4! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/JXBQWHiGNE

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 2, 2024

 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race

Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200

Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, Virginia

Friday, November 1, 2024

1. (1) Christian Eckes (P), Chevrolet, 200.

2. (6) Ben Rhodes, Ford, 200.

3. (8) Chase Purdy, Chevrolet, 200.

4. (3) Taylor Gray (P), Toyota, 200.

5. (4) Nick Sanchez (P), Chevrolet, 200.

6. (5) Layne Riggs #, Ford, 200.

7. (7) Corey Heim (P), Toyota, 200.

8. (23) Tyler Ankrum (P), Chevrolet, 200.

9. (33) Grant Enfinger (P), Chevrolet, 200.

10. (20) Stewart Friesen, Toyota, 200.

11. (2) Ty Majeski (P), Ford, 200.

12. (27) Connor Zilisch(i), Chevrolet, 200.

13. (16) Matt Crafton, Ford, 200.

14. (12) William Sawalich, Toyota, 200.

15. (24) Dawson Sutton, Chevrolet, 200.

16. (25) Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, 200.

17. (17) Dean Thompson, Toyota, 200.

18. (31) Corey Day, Chevrolet, 200.

19. (21) Matt Mills, Chevrolet, 200.

20. (26) Jake Garcia, Ford, 199.

21. (19) Timmy Hill, Toyota, 198.

22. (32) Spencer Boyd, Chevrolet, 198.

23. (30) Lawless Alan, Ford, 198.

24. (35) Clayton Green, Ford, 197.

25. (36) Justin Carroll, Toyota, 197.

26. (10) Jack Wood, Chevrolet, 196.

27. (22) Matthew Gould, Chevrolet, 195.

28. (13) Johnny Sauter, Ford, Accident, 194.

29. (15) Tanner Gray, Toyota, Accident, 182.

30. (28) Brett Moffitt, Chevrolet, Accident, 181.

31. (11) Rajah Caruth (P), Chevrolet, 179.

32. (18) Daniel Dye, Chevrolet, Brakes, 166.

33. (9) Kaden Honeycutt, Chevrolet, Accident, 162.

34. (29) Dylan Lupton(i), Chevrolet, Accident, 96.

35. (14) Landen Lewis, Toyota, Brakes, 82.

36. (34) Norm Benning, Chevrolet, Brakes, 17.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 65.613 mph.

Time of Race: 1 Hrs, 36 Mins, 12 Secs. Margin of Victory: 1.191 Seconds.

Caution Flags: 6 for 46 laps.

Lead Changes: 6 among 3 drivers.

Lap Leaders: 

• C. Eckes (P) 1-104;
• B. Rhodes 105-115;
• C. Eckes (P) 116-194;
• T. Gray (P) 195;
• C. Eckes (P) 196;
• B. Rhodes 197;
• C. Eckes (P) 198-200.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): 

• Christian Eckes (P) 4 times for 187 laps; 
• Ben Rhodes 2 times for 12 laps; 
• Taylor Gray (P) 1 time for 1 lap.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 19,98,2,17,38,11,45,77,1,7

Stage #2 Top Ten: 19,98,2,11,1,52,99,45,18,9

 

source: Martinsville Speedway Media

Martinville Speedway #NASCAR Schedule

Craftsman Truck Series; Xfinity Series; NASCAR Cup Series

 

NASCAR teams congregate at Martinville Speedway this weekend to battle it out for a final shot at the 2024 Championship! All three NASCAR national series will be on track with elimination races to set up next week's Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway.

 

It's a three-day race weekend with the Craftsman Truck Series running on Friday, the Xfinity Series on Saturday and the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday.

 

Friday, November 1, 2024

• 12:30 p.m. — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice and qualifying, FS2
• 2:30 p.m. — NASCAR Xfinity Series practice and qualifying, NBC Sports app
• 5 p.m. — Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race
•  (200 laps, 105.2 miles), FS1

Saturday, November 2, 2024

• 12 p.m. — NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying, NBC Sports app
• 3 p.m. — National Debt Relief 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series Race 
• (250 laps, 131.5 miles), CW Network

Sunday, November 3, 2024

• 1 p.m. — Xfinity 500 NASCAR Cup Series Race
• (500 laps, 263 miles), NBC

Last chance to make the big dance. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/GhzhoqnAYX

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 31, 2024

 

source: NASCAR Media

NASCAR Race Weekend Recap (Martinsville)

Winners: Ryan Blaney (Cup); with Justin Allgaier (Xfinity);

View from above - Martinsville Speedway for the Xfinity 500.

 

NASCAR Cup

Ryan Blaney Wins at Martinsville; Joins Bell, Larson, Byron in Championship 4

 

Ryan Blaney did what Denny Hamlin couldn’t do in Sunday‘s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

 

As a result, Blaney will race for the NASCAR Cup Series championship next Sunday at Phoenix Raceway (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, Peacock, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), and Hamlin exits the playoffs after a hard-luck Round of 8.

 

During a 168-lap green-flag run to the finish, Blaney tracked down Aric Almirola and passed him for the lead on Lap 478 of 500. Twenty-two laps later, Blaney took the checkered flag 0.899 seconds ahead of Almirola to earn advancement to the Championship 4 race.

 

.@Blaney, Welcome to the champ 4! #Xfinity500 pic.twitter.com/WwvCy2ByX6

— Martinsville Speedway (@MartinsvilleSwy) October 29, 2023

“Well, I mean, felt like we put together really strong playoffs—especially the Round of 8… we had a good run in the whole Round of 8,” Blaney said. “Yeah, just overall really proud of the whole effort. RP (Team Penske owner Roger Penske) couldn’t be here, unfortunately, but I know he’s watching. This is awesome. Can’t wait to get to Phoenix next week.”

 

“I grew up in High Point, not too far from here,” Blaney said. “Really cool. Wanting to win here for a long time. Been super close for many years. Awesome to close it out.”

 

Pole: Martin Truex Jr

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, Nov. 5 3:00 PM ET for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Justin Allgaier Clinches Xfinity Series Championship 4 Spot in Dramatic Finish

 

At the end of Saturday‘s chaotic Dead on Tools 250, Justin Allgaier rescued his season with an improbable victory that earned the driver of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet a berth in the Nov. 4 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4 event at Phoenix Raceway.

 

Allgaier‘s Camaro crossed the finish line glued to the side of Sheldon Creed‘s No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, scoring his first win at Martinsville, his fourth of the season and the 23rd of his career by 0.032 seconds over Creed, who needed a victory to advance to the title race.

 

“We‘ve got a shot at going for a championship at Phoenix. This is an emotional one. I‘ve wanted to win at Martinsville for a long time, and I‘ve been on the other end of that (pointing at the crashed cars on the frontstretch) too many times.”

 

A WILD finish at @MartinsvilleSwy! 😳 #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/eDDpBPPeSm

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 28, 2023

Pole: Sammy Smith

Click Here for Race Results  
Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, Nov. 4 - 6:00 PM ET for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.

 

 

NASCAR Trucks

The #NASCAR Craftman Truck Series enjoyed a weekend off.

The table is set for @phoenixraceway. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/JsiEgNpe5F

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 24, 2023

Next Race: The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series concludes the season with the Craftsman 150 at the 1-mile Phoenix Raceway on Friday, Nov. 3 (10 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

ARCA

The ARCA West was off this Weekend

The ARCA Menards Series platform will be WELL represented among the @NASCAR championship contenders at @phoenixraceway

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) October 30, 2023

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 1:30 p.m. ET for the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 at Phoenix Raceway.

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Allgaier Goes Hail Hellmann's

Earns Trip to Championship 4

 

Justin Allgaier entered yesterday's #NASCAR Xfinity Event just under the 2023 Playoff Cutline with a -three. Nevertheless, many believed him to be a favorite to win his way into the final four at Martinsville. Remember, in 2019, the thirty-seven-year-old won the final race in the Round of Eight when it was held at Phoenix Raceway.

 

They left everything out on the track.@MartinsvilleSwy | #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/LbgS4BkXy0

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 28, 2023

On the final restart of Saturday's Dead On Tools 250 at Martinsville Speedway,  Justin Allgaier went for broke. As chaos erupted around him, the Illinois native outdragged Sheldon Creed to the finish line by a scant 0.003 seconds to gain a spot in the Championship 4 for the sixth time in his career.

 

Allgaier, locked in a battle with Austin Hill and Cole Custer for the final points position into the final race, was in the right place at the right time as Hill and Creed tangled off Turn 4 coming to the checkered flag. Allgaier put his foot to the floor and nipped Creed at the line.

 

That gives JR Motorsports half the field for the Championship 4 with Allgaier and Sam Mayer. The other participants are John Hunter Nemechek and Custer, who was involved in the last-lap crash but advanced on points.

 

NEWS: Post-race inspection is complete at @MartinsvilleSwy.@J_Allgaier's win is official! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/kNBEQrcILr

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 29, 2023

The victory was Allgaier's 23rd in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition, his first at Martinsville and his second in this year's playoffs. It also puts him in sole possession of 11th place on the all-time NXS wins list.

 

“We’ve got a shot at going for a championship at Phoenix,” Allgaier told NBC Sports’ Dave Burns after the race. “My wife drove in today, my daughter’s last softball game was this afternoon. She said, ‘I got to watch the first win,’ and she decided to come here to be by my side. There’s nothing like it.

 

“This is an emotional one. I’ve wanted to win at Martinsville for a long time and, man, I’ve been on the other end of that too many times.”

 

JRM has now won four of the six NXS Playoff races this season.

 

With today’s results, JRM has now earned 500 top-five finishes in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition. The first came on Aug. 19, 2006, when Robby Gordon finished third @MISpeedway. pic.twitter.com/KzxHkLPK9M

— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) October 29, 2023

Teammate Josh Berry's fifth-place finish gives JRM 500 top-five finishes in NXS competition. The first of those came in 2006, when Robby Gordon finished third at Michigan International Speedway.

 

Berry rallied to fifth despite extensive damage to his Chevrolet, while Brandon Jones came home 16th and Mayer was posted 25th after retiring late in the race with crash damage.

 

Photos

 

 

source: JR Motorsports Media

The NASCAR Xfinity Series Heads Back to the ‘Paperclip’

Sammy Smith Starts on Pole

 

• Next Race: Dead On Tools 250
• The Place: Martinsville Speedway
• The Date: Saturday, October 28
• The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• The Purse: $1,380,935
• TV: USA, 3 p.m. ET
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
• Distance: 131.5 miles (250 Laps)
• Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 60)
• Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 120)
• Final Stage (Ends on Lap 250)

As the series winds down the 2023 season, the NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers will now be heading to Martinsville Speedway for the penultimate race – the Dead On Tools 250 today at 3:30 p.m. ET (USA Network, NBC Sports App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR radio).

 

This will be the 41st NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway. The previous 40 races have produced 26 different race winners and 21 different pole winners. Only six races have been won from the pole or first starting position, but it’s been over 35 years since a driver was able to accomplish the feat – most recently by Jimmy Hensley in 1987.

 

This season will be the fourth consecutive year that Martinsville Speedway serves as the penultimate, or sixth race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, the elimination race of the Round of 8 (2020 – 2023). The track was not on the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule from 2007 to 2019.

 

A few drivers have been able to etch their names in the Martinsville Speedway record books – Sam Ard (most wins – five), Brett Bodine (most poles - five), Dale Jarrett (most top fives – 11), Jimmy Hensley and Tommy Houston (tied for most top 10s – 17), and Tommy Ellis (most laps led – 713).

 

Three drivers in the field have already taken the checkered flag at the 0.526-mile track, one of which is a Playoff contender – John Hunter Nemechek (2023), along with Brandon Jones (2022) and Josh Berry (2021).

 

Although he hasn’t won a race at Martinsville Speedway. JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier could also be a favorite to win this weekend as he knows what it takes to win the penultimate race of the season. In 2019, he won the final race in the Round of 8 when it was held at Phoenix Raceway.

 

Biggest lap of the night.

Ride with @sammysmithSS on the way to P1! pic.twitter.com/lP619Pd79x

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 27, 2023

 

Here are the starting positions of the 38 NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers at Martinsville Speedway:

 

1. #18 - Sammy Smith
2. #7 - Justin Allgaier
3. #00 - Cole Custer
4. #98 - Riley Herbst
5. #20 - John Hunter Nemechek
6. #9 - Brandon Jones
7. #16 - Chandler Smith
8. #2 - Sheldon Creed
9. #21 - Austin Hill
10. #31 - Parker Retzlaff
11. #19 - Myatt Snider
12. #8 - Josh Berry
13. #39 - Ryan Sieg
14. #10 - Daniel Hemric
15. #48 - Parker Kligerman
16. #25 - Brett Moffitt
17. #1 - Sam Mayer
18. #91 - Josh Bilicki
19. #11 - Layne Riggs
20. #51 - Jeremy Clements
21. #4 - JJ Yeley
22. #78 - Anthony Alfredo
23. #26 - Kaz Grala
24. #92 - Josh Williams
25. #24 - Connor Mosack
26. #44 - Rajah Caruth
27. #6 - Brennan Poole
28. #29 - Kyle Sieg
29. #45 - Jeffrey Earnhardt
30. #08 - Chad Finchum
31. #02 - Blaine Perkins
32. #43 - Ryan Ellis
33. #38 - Joe Graf, Jr.
34. #28 - CJ McLaughlin
35. #35 - Chris Hacker
36. #53 - Akinori Ogata
37. #07 - Devin Jones
38. #27 - Jeb Burton

Up next, the #DeadOnTools250 at @MartinsvilleSwy.

LIVE @ 3:00 PM ET

📻 https://t.co/D39O4UrRNU
🖥️ https://t.co/wCQ8y1RhN4
📱 https://t.co/PXmmwIn6h6@SIRIUSXM Channel 90 pic.twitter.com/8nLsxdGhzv

— Motor Racing Network (@MRNRadio) October 28, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

Moose Fraternity extends partnership with Trackhouse Racing, Ross Chastain through 2025

Moose Chevrolet to Appear in Four #NASCAR Cup Series Races in Each of the Next Two Seasons

 

Before the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Trackhouse Racing and Ross Chastain had some big news to announce. Moose Fraternity is staying on with the team and driver through 2025. One of Trackhouse’s earliest NASCAR partners, the Moose will be loose for a number of races over the next couple of seasons, at least.

 

 

This is a great weekend to make the announcement. It was a year ago at Martinsville when Ross Chastain put his No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevy into the wall and refused to lift until he got across the finish line. Think about all of the advertising the Moose has gotten thanks to the replays of that iconic moment.

 

That feeling when you make history. 😏@RossChastain | @MooseFraternity pic.twitter.com/C1JkZmpPgy

— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) October 27, 2023

 

So, it’s safe to say, things are working out. Trackhouse Racing has committed partners. Long-term partners build brands. They help build a culture in the organization. This is good news for Trackhouse and NASCAR. The group will sponsor four races per year as part of the new deal.

 

Of course, Trackhouse Racing does things differently. So, they had their own video to help announce the great news.

 

NEWS: @MooseFraternity is staying in The House through 2025!@RossChastain had some help sharing the news: pic.twitter.com/qp1fImitbZ

— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) October 27, 2023

 

For Chastain, who is an actual member of the Moose Fraternity, the partnership has been and continues to be a lot of fun.

 

“It has been so fun to have a continued relationship with the Moose Fraternity,” said Chastain who is a member of Tice and Shores, Florida, Lodge 1297 within the Moose Fraternity.

 

“Several of the members have become like family which is unique when it comes to a partnership. Not only do I have the opportunity to meet members but it’s fun to talk to people about becoming a member of the fraternity. It’s a passionate group that cares about their community and making it a better place.”

 

In June, Chastain visited Mooseheart, a residential childcare facility on a 1,000-acre campus west of Chicago. In November, he’ll visit Moosehaven, a retirement community in Orange Park, Fla. The retirement community has served members of the Moose since 1922.

 

Chastain also visits various Moose Lodges around the country during race weekends.

 

“We really appreciate the relationships we have built with Ross and the Trackhouse Racing family these past few years and are thrilled to continue this journey together through 2025. Having Ross as a member and ambassador for the Moose Fraternity is phenomenal. Just like on the track, when he puts on the Moose hat, you can expect the unexpected to happen,” said Moose International CEO Scott Hart.

 

 

source: On3 Media

William Byron Looks to Lock Down Championship 4 Spot at Martinsville

Six #Wins, Eight Stage Wins and Twenty Top-10 Finishes,

 

William Byron enters the Round of 8 finale of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs at Martinsville Speedway in an advantageous position. The driver of the No. 24 PODS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 holds a 30-point lead on the elimination line.

 

Earning a spot in the Championship 4 would be a first for Byron in the Cup Series. The deepest he has gone in the postseason has been the Round of 8 (both this year to date and last year).

 

 

"We spent this week digging through notes from earlier this year and last at Martinsville (Speedway)," Byron said for how he and the team have prepared for this weekend’s race. "There was a wheel force test last week running the new tire so the teams could get information. We’re just trying to use what we have to hopefully get the car in a good place for when it’s unloaded.

 

"The fun thing about racing is you’re trying to get to the final four to go for a championship but it comes down to we all want to win every week. When you peel away all the layers of racing, it’s all about winning. We do the same processes every week with the goal of winning. That’s our number one goal still, and there’s nothing like having winning momentum heading into Phoenix (Raceway)."

 

While Byron has had a great 2023 season with series-best marks in wins (six), stage wins (eight) and top-10 finishes (20), he has elevated his consistency over the last 10 races. In that stretch (from Watkins Glen International to the Homestead-Miami Speedway playoff race), he leads the series in points (413), top-five finishes (six), top-10s (nine) and average finish (5.30). The Charlotte, North Carolina, native, is tied for the most wins (two) and runner-up finishes (two) in that span. He also holds the second-best average running position in the playoffs (8.53).

 

Heading to Martinsville, the Virginia short track has been a strong one for Byron and crew chief Rudy Fugle. In their five races together at the 0.526-mile track, they have posted a win (April 2022), three top-five finishes, four top-10s, 221 laps led and an average finish of 8.00.

 

This is the second year that Byron comes into the Martinsville race with a chance to advance to the title round. Last year, he carried a five-point advantage on the cutline but came up a little short in his bid to reach the title round. That disappointment has served as motivation throughout the season for Byron.

 

"Just the way we felt at Martinsville (Speedway) and how that moment felt is what we will try to work on this year," Byron said. "I think we learned a lot in that pressure situation (last year) and given that same situation again we will do a lot better."

 

The No. 24 pit crew has been at the top of the board all year when it comes to the fastest average four-tire pit stop time. They lead the series at 10.940 seconds and further improved their numbers last weekend with the fastest average four-tire stop time (9.986 seconds) at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The No. 24 pit crew consists of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler).

 

"They give us a lot of confidence, especially when we are in contention for wins and in contention to run up front," Byron said of his pit crew. "The guys seem to elevate their game when those moments happen. They have been consistent all season."

 

 

Byron is looking to become the fifth Hendrick Motorsports driver to reach the Championship 4 in the elimination playoff era (joining Jeff Gordon in 2015, Jimmie Johnson in 2016, Chase Elliott in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and Kyle Larson in 2021 and 2023). Larson is already locked in with his win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to open the Round of 8.

 

Tune in on Sunday, Oct. 29, to watch Byron and the No. 24 team push forward in the playoffs at Martinsville. Coverage of the 500-lap race will be at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, NBC Sports App, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

 

#WallpaperWednesday PODS edition. pic.twitter.com/QH5sMMLHCK

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) October 25, 2023

 

source: Hendrick Motorsports Media