Martinsville Race Review
Under Pressure!
Date: 10-30-2022.
Name of the race: Xfinity 500.
Track: Martinsville Speedway.
Laps: 500.
Pole winner: Kyle Larson.
Outside pole: Chase Elliott.
Stage 1 winner: Denny Hamlin.
Stage 2 winner: Denny Hamlin.
Stage 3 winner (won the race): Christopher Bell.
Top 5: Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Ross Chastain.
FYI: Martinsville is known for intense short-track racing, the infamous Martinsville hot dogs, and beat and banging. When the new Chase format was introduced in 2014, this track was the first race in the third round, but the schedule for the 2020 season and beyond changed to the final race before the Championship. Eight drivers started this round, hoping to win and lock themselves into the final four. So far, only Joey Logano did just that at Las Vegas, and Kyle Larson spoiled the playoff party by winning at Homestead Miami Speedway. There was a lot on the line for these drivers since what was at stake was a spot in the championship four at Phoenix Raceway. Going into the race, Kyle Larson started on the pole of the race with his Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott starting to his outside, and the two would dominate most of the day, which is not a surprise since the 0.526-mile short track is known as Hendrick Motorsports playground. The race was pretty tame for a fast track. Still, one thing concerning was Tyler Reddick exiting the race early due to hitting his head the previous week. After two drivers (Alex Bowman and Kurt Busch) are out for concussions, you never know if Tyler is going through the same thing. The final caution of the race came, and facing elimination Chase Briscoe did what he had to and stayed out on old tires in hopes of holding off the field and making it to the final four, but sadly that did not happen since Bell had fresher tires after pitting on lap 496 out of 500. Christopher was able to take the lead and hold off Larson for the victory and earn not only another knock-off win after doing so back in the round of twelve at the Charlotte Roval but also giving the gift to him and his team of fighting for a championship next week.
On the contrary, all eyes were on Ross Chastain, who was below the cutline and fighting Denny Hamlin for the final transfer spot. He made a video game move last minute by pinning his car to the outside wall going into turn three, and rode the fence until the checkered flag securing his spot in the final four. That move confirmed who would be fighting for a championship at Phoenix, the two veterans of Chase Elliott and Joey Logano and the two drivers Christopher Bell and Ross Chastain, who would be making their first appearance in the final four. Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, and William Byron were all eliminated from championship contention and now have to wait until 2023 to go for a title. Now we move on to the dessert to determine who will walk away with the title and be crowned the 2022 champion. Will it be the veterans taking down the rookies, or will it be the rookies showing the veterans up? We shall see after 312 intense laps around the one-mile track!
Next race: Phoenix Raceway for the Championship four race on Sunday afternoon.