The culmination of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs approaches, as the final two spots in the Championship 4 will be determined this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. The pivotal Xfinity 500, set for a 2 p.m. ET green flag, will air live on NBC and stream via Peacock, with NBC Sports providing extensive coverage throughout the afternoon. Focus centers on the drivers and teams vying to keep their title hopes alive in this critical penultimate event, directly impacting the outlook heading into Phoenix Raceway for the championship.
Key Drivers and Current Standings Heading Into the Xfinity 500
Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe have already secured their places in the Championship 4 after victories in Las Vegas and Talladega respectively earlier in this playoff round. Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson remain above the cutoff, aiming to maintain their positions and punch their tickets to the Phoenix finale. Meanwhile, defending series champion Joey Logano and 2023 champion Ryan Blaney find themselves on the outside looking in, hoping for a breakthrough at Martinsville. Ryan Blaney, holding the distinction of being the back-to-back winner of this race, faces significant pressure with only one event remaining before elimination.
Broadcast Team and Event Coverage Details
NBC Sports will cover all the action from Martinsville with a seasoned team, as Leigh Diffey leads play-by-play commentary. Former Cup Series race winner and noted figure, Jeff Burton, joins alongside Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte as analysts. The pit area will be covered by reporters Marty Snider, Kim Coon, Dave Burns, and Parker Kligerman, ensuring fans receive up-to-the-moment information from the track. Pre-race coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. ET with Countdown to Green, and Marty Snider will anchor post-race discussions joined by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett and other broadcast team members.
Spotlight on Hendrick Motorsports and Jeff Gordon
The broadcast will also highlight the legacy of Hendrick Motorsports and the achievements of co-owner Jeff Gordon, a four-time champion. Gordon’s memorable victory at Martinsville in 2015, which propelled him to the Championship 4 in what became the final win of his Cup Series career, will be revisited as part of the on-air coverage.
How Fans Can Follow the Weekend Action
Fans can watch the race live on NBC or stream it through Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Qualifying will be shown on truTV Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET, allowing viewers to follow all the lead-up events to the main race day. With the Championship 4 set to be finalized, this penultimate contest in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs promises to deliver intense competition and strategic drama between the teams and drivers hoping to advance in the Playoffs.
Looking Ahead to the Championship Round
This final Round of 8 matchup is the last opportunity for drivers like Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney to secure a place in the season-ending showdown at Phoenix Raceway on November 2. As NBC Sports serves as the home for NASCAR’s Playoffs and championship events, fans will continue to have comprehensive access to all 14 concluding NASCAR Cup Series contests across NBC, USA Network, and Peacock, culminating with the much-anticipated championship race.
