NASCAR is in Martinsville this week to determine the Championship 4. Who can survive and fight for the title next week in Phoenix?
The penultimate race of the 2022 NASCAR season takes place this weekend at Martinsville, and when the checkered flag is waved on Sunday we’ll know which four drivers will compete for the championship in Phoenix. Joey Logano is the only playoff driver to cement his place in the final round, so three spots are up for grabs for the other seven drivers.
Last week at Homestead was dominated by one driver: Kyle Larson. The defending champ showed that even though he’s not in contention this year but he’s still a force to be reckoned with. He led 199 of 267 laps and won all three stages. While it’s a good sign for him heading into 2023, it means that we’re in the same spot we were a week ago with three spots still left.
Ross Chastain finished second and Denny Hamlin brought his No.11 Toyota home in seventh. Chase Briscoe suffered damage after hitting the wall in Stage 2 and retired, while the rest of the playoff field finished between 10th and 20th, keeping things pretty close for this weekend.
If the playoffs have taught us anything this year, we must expect the unexpected. I wouldn’t rule anyone out until the checkered flag, especially at Martinsville. The short track will likely produce a lot of banging and bumping as we near the end of the race and drivers are vying for those final playoff positions. In 2015 the Martinsville playoff race produced one of the biggest acts of revenge NASCAR has seen, which you can check out below. Things likely won’t reach those levels this weekend, but it’s a reminder of some of the drama the track can produce.
"Kenseth takes him out!"
In 2015, Matt Kenseth was suspended two races for intentionally wrecking Joey Logano at Martinsville. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/nmrupRWVK9
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 26, 2022
The Track
Martinsville Speedway is the shortest track on the NASCAR schedule at just .526 miles in length. It is a staple on the calendar, with the distinction as the only track to host a NASCAR race every year since the series began in 1949. Nicknamed “The Paperclip” due to its shape, the track is known for its close racing. There isn’t much space, so drivers quickly get acquainted with one another and have to be aggressive to move through the field.
The straights are 800 feet long while the turns are just 588 feet long. The track is 55 feet wide, just enough for two racing lines to be used. This will be the second race at Martinsville this year, with the track hosting a Spring race as well each year. William Byron won this year’s Spring race. Richard Petty holds the record for most wins at the track with 15, while Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers with five wins. The winner’s trophy is also iconic. Whoever wins the race gets the coveted Martinsville grandfather clock, one of the most unique trophies in sports.
Sunday’s race will be 500 laps long and cover 263 miles. Stage 1 will be the first 130 laps while Stage 2 will be the next 130 laps. Stage 3 will consist of the final 240 laps of the race.
Playoff Standings
Seven drivers are looking to clinch a spot with only three left to claim. Let’s see where the field stands before Martinsville.
IN:
- Joey Logano*, Team Penske – 4106 points
- Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing – 4101
- Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports – 4093
- William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports – 4087 points
———- PLAYOFF CUTLINE ———-
OUT:
- Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing – 4082 points
- Ryan Blaney, Team Penske – 4069 points
- Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing – 4054 points
- Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing – 4043 points
*Clinched a spot in the Championship 4
Race Predictions
Penske ran strong here in the Spring so expect more of the same. Both cars were in the top four the first time around, and are favorites to snag a win. One Penske driver has clinched a spot in the Championship 4 and I think Ryan Blaney will take the victory and become the second this weekend.
- Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
- Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing
- Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
- Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
- Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
How To Watch – (All Times EST)
- Practice/Qualifying: Saturday, October 29 – 12:00 p.m. – USA
- Xfinity 500: Sunday, October 30 – 2:00 p.m. – NBC
