In a dramatic finish at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday night, Taylor Gray powered to his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, also securing his spot in the Xfinity Series Championship Four. Leading 52 laps and driving the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Gray took control from lap 202 until the race concluded on lap 254 following an overtime shootout.
Joining Gray in the championship showdown are Carson Kvapil and Jesse Love, both of whom clinched their places through intense on-track battles. These three are set to compete for the title alongside Justin Allgaier, the defending champion, and Connor Zilisch, who secured their own spots earlier through wins and points accumulation.
The final four features three contenders from JR Motorsports facing off against Gray, the sole representative from Joe Gibbs Racing.
First-Time Winner Gray Celebrates Martinsville’s Coveted Grandfather Clock
Claiming victory at Martinsville Speedway is a milestone, as the winner receives the famous grandfather clock in addition to the checkered flag. For 20-year-old Taylor Gray, this win came in his 45th start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, marking a pivotal moment in his young racing career. Gray expressed his excitement and gratitude for his crew immediately after the race in Victory Lane.
“It’s about damn time I get me a clock, baby!”
– Taylor Gray, Winner
Gray commended the performance of his No. 54 car, explaining how it improved throughout the event and crediting his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates and especially crew chief Jason Ratcliff for their efforts in bringing a competitive car to Martinsville. When a caution reset the field with five laps to go, Gray delivered a strong restart, pulling away from the challengers and taking the checkered flag.
“Jason Ratcliff (crew chief) and all these guys just did an awesome job tonight. Everybody on this crew just brings awesome cars to this race track and give me an opportunity to win every time.”
– Taylor Gray, Winner
This victory makes Gray the eighth different winner under crew chief Ratcliff, who now boasts 58 victories in the series.
Carson Kvapil Battles Back to Secure a Title Bid
Carson Kvapil and his No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet entered the Martinsville event needing a solid finish in order to clinch one of the Xfinity Series Championship Four spots. The final laps brought high drama as Kvapil spun from ninth position, bringing out a late caution with four laps remaining and dropping him to 29th place on the restart, buried below the needed points threshold.
With advice from crew chief Andrew Overstreet during the caution, Kvapil methodically advanced through the field to finish 18th, earning just enough points—four more than Brandon Jones—to secure his place in the title race.
“It was probably the most nerve-wracking racing I’ve ever done in my career,”
– Carson Kvapil, Driver
Kvapil reflected on how his situation changed rapidly on the track, sharing his relief at holding on to a championship position thanks to his crew’s hard work and strategic calls. He praised the speed of his car and expressed optimism about racing for the championship in Phoenix.
“The first stage didn’t go the way we wanted to, I thought we were going to have a little better pace than we did. We’re definitely happy and looking forward to going to Phoenix. The sky is the limit with these guys.”
– Carson Kvapil, Driver
Jesse Love and RCR Zero In on Phoenix Raceway
This year marks Jesse Love’s first appearance in the championship round, but the 23rd-place finish at Martinsville did little to dampen his resolve. Love and the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) team quickly shifted focus to the final race of the season at Phoenix Raceway, determined to pursue the title on a clean slate.
Though he dismissed the Martinsville result, Love emphasized the team’s strategic awareness and their preparedness for the biggest race of the year. Within the team, the consensus is clear: all efforts are now concentrated on Phoenix.
“We’re just focused on going there and winning a championship.”
– Jesse Love, Driver
High Stakes Await at the Xfinity Series Season Finale
The 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship will be decided under the lights at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, November 1, with the race set to begin at 7:30 p.m. The event will air without commercial interruption on CW-TV and will be broadcast on MRN Radio as well as Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90.
The four finalists—Taylor Gray, Carson Kvapil, Jesse Love, and Justin Allgaier—each bring unique stories and team support to the last battle for the title. The stage is set for an electric conclusion, as all eyes turn to Phoenix to see which driver will claim the ultimate prize in the Xfinity Series Championship Four.
