After 2023, 2024. Already second at Homestead, then victorious in the Martinsville race last year to reach the final, Ryan Blaney did it again in 2024 and will therefore be there next Sunday to defend his title.
Ryan Blaney could only defend his title by winning at Martinsville. Ryan Blaney won at Martinsville. However, it is clearly not the winner who has remained in the annals of this race, but rather the last lap of Christopher Bell who imitated Ross Chastain.
Far from this concern, Ryan Blaney crossed the finish line as the winner ahead of Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Austin Cindric and Denny Hamlin for the top 5.
“I tried to save my rear tires. A big thank you to the whole team. We will aim for the double next week. The guys on the team did an incredible job. »
Ryan Blaney
William Byron, Austin Dillon, Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano complete the top 10 in this final race of the third round of the playoffs.
Christopher Bell does Chastain!
On the last lap of the race, while he was in a position to be eliminated by William Byron for a point, Christopher Bell found himself destabilized after overtaking a slow Bubba Wallace to let Christopher Bell pass. Result, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver hits the wall and rolls against the wall like Ross Chastain did two years ago to reach the final.
“I knew I had to pass the 23 and I was very oversteering. In the marbles I was very oversteering and I hit the wall. I had no intention of driving into the wall. It’s very strange. I think the decision is not ours. »
Christopher Bell
For his part, William Byron took advantage of a blockage from Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon for many laps in order not to lose position. He finally crossed the finish line in sixth position, which was good enough before Christopher Bell’s maneuver, a maneuver he immediately denounced at the finish.
“He rolled into the wall and there is a rule against that. The car was terrible on long runs. This sucks. I am proud of my team. There is a rule against this. This rule was recalled during the drivers’ meeting.
William Byron
Safety violation
For many minutes, NASCAR officials analyzed all the data at their disposal and concluded that there was a safety violation by Christopher Bell. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was demoted to twenty-second position, last of the drivers by one lap, a sanction sufficient to allow William Byron to qualify for the final.
This decision by NASCAR officials is irrevocable. Therefore, Joe Gibbs Racing cannot appeal this sanction.
Next Sunday, on the Phoenix RacewayJoey Logano, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney and William Byron will face off for the title.
