William Byron delivered a determined, high-pressure drive at Martinsville Speedway on October 26, 2025, landing a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 and altering the playoff landscape in dramatic fashion. Utilizing his signature aggression, Byron’s triumph in the Xfinity 500 – highlighted by a career-best 304 laps led – ensures his presence at the Phoenix Raceway finale, turning Sunday’s race into an unforgettable moment for the William Byron Martinsville win story.
Byron, behind the wheel of the #24 Cincinnati Chevrolet, secured the victory from pole position, outpacing Ryan Blaney by 0.717 seconds in the closing laps and surviving a tense final restart with just 11 laps remaining. The battle between Byron and Blaney was intense, with both drivers needing a win to clinch their spots in the Championship 4, held at Phoenix Raceway on November 2.
Inside the Decisive Move That Changed the Championship Picture
The pivotal moment occurred on Lap 457. Blaney’s Team Penske Ford began to lose its grip during a prolonged green-flag segment, and Byron seized his chance, diving to the inside in Turn 1. Byron nudged Blaney’s Mustang up the track, taking the point with a move that underscored the intensity of the playoffs and the high-stakes environment of Martinsville.
After passing Blaney, Byron maintained his advantage for the final 44 laps, never relinquishing control even as the pressure mounted. The victory was not only a personal triumph but also marked a significant shift in the series, as it ended Team Penske’s reign of having a driver in the Championship 4 since the Gen 7 car’s debut in 2022.
Damn, I’ve got a lot to say,
– William Byron, Driver
Byron’s emotional celebration in victory lane was a stark reminder of the challenges and unpredictable turns of the season. With gratitude, he reflected on his journey and the intense grind required to earn a championship berth:
“Things have a way of working out. God really tests your resilience a lot of times. We’ve been tested. Just unbelievable. I’m out of breath. Thank you, fans, for coming out. Bad-ass crowd. I watched my first NASCAR race up there just before the start/finish line. Man, I am just so thankful, excited to see my family, just celebrate this one.”
We obviously go to Phoenix. Just go try to kick ass there.
– William Byron, Driver
Blaney Takes the Fight to Byron but Falls Short
Ryan Blaney gave Byron a fierce challenge, methodically surging from a 31st starting spot to hold the lead for 177 laps. The climactic duel between the two was decided when Byron broke through Blaney’s defenses after a long run, taking the upper hand and the essential win.
Yeah, I look back on that long run before the last yellow where William got by me,
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
Blaney assessed the race objectively, acknowledging the fading performance of his car:
“I just got loose, trying to work through that. My rear drive was fading quick. I tried to manage a lot in the beginning. Yeah, just was starting to fade.”
I was trying to protect. I mean, that’s just two guys going for it. I don’t blame him for taking that. I had kind of lost momentum. I would have done the same thing, to be honest with you. I knew it was going to be tight. I tried to crowd as much as I could.
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
Following Byron’s pass on Lap 457, Blaney was unable to mount a significant counterattack. Although he made one last push after the final caution (due to Carson Hocevar’s spin), Byron’s speed proved too much to overcome. Blaney’s earlier victories at Martinsville in past playoff races added to the intensity of his effort but this time were not enough to secure his place in the Phoenix title race.
Thought I got a good restart, the last one,
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
Blaney reflected on his night with pride:
“Kind of entered up top, tried to carry speed, and he just motored right around me on the bottom. Pretty impressive.”
Despite disappointment, he expressed appreciation for his team’s dedication:
“They have gave 100 percent of what they had. That’s all you can ask for.”
Wasn’t quite enough tonight. We’ll just move on.
– Ryan Blaney, Driver
Championship Shakeup: Bell Knocked Out, Elliott and Logano Join Him
The fallout from Byron’s win dramatically reshaped the quest for the championship. Christopher Bell, who arrived at Martinsville well above the elimination line, finished seventh and found himself edged out of the Championship 4. Kyle Larson’s fifth-place finish allowed him to surpass Bell for the final berth by seven points. Alongside Bell, former champion Joey Logano (eighth) and Chase Elliott (third) were also eliminated from contention.
For Hendrick Motorsports, it was a victory on multiple fronts, as both Byron and Larson advanced, setting them up to compete against Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe. Hamlin and Briscoe had previously earned their championship spots with Round of 8 victories, though both faced engine failures at Martinsville, losing chances to contend in the race.
We had good enough track position all day,
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson, whose clean performance provided the stability Hendrick needed, praised the collaborative effort:
“We were kind of out of the mess, I guess. Yeah, that was good. My HendrickCars.com Chevy was fast. Our pit crew was on it all night.”
What a performance by William. That’s awesome. I think when the 12 (Blaney) gained control of the race, it was going to be really hard for anybody to beat him. William did a great job on the restarts, just kept positioning himself. Was good enough to get by him on that long run.
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Race Recap: Stage Dominance and Strategy
From the outset, Byron set the pace by dominating Stage 1, leading 125 of the initial 130 laps from pole position. He only gave up the lead after a caution for a tangle in Turn 2, when Michael McDowell momentarily cycled to the front due to an aggressive tire strategy. Byron quickly reclaimed command after the next restart, carrying his strength throughout the early portion of the race.
Stage 2 saw Byron lead every lap, but race strategy shuffled the order following a caution on Lap 242. Blaney was among seven drivers who pitted under caution on Lap 245, and following a round of stops by the leaders at the stage break, he found himself lined up alongside Tyler Reddick for a critical restart. This marked the turning point that allowed Blaney to seize the lead and control a significant stretch of the event before Byron’s decisive move late in the race.
The closing laps, ignited by a final spin from Carson Hocevar, set up a short dash to the finish. Byron’s quick jump after the restart ensured he was never threatened, while Blaney and the rest of the Championship hopefuls followed in his wake.
The Broader Impact and Next Steps for the Championship Contenders
Non-playoff drivers also made their presence known, with Ross Chastain and Ryan Preece securing fourth and sixth place finishes respectively, while Todd Gilliland and Josh Berry rounded out the top ten. The outcome of the Martinsville race not only determined the four competitors for the title but also brought an end to Team Penske’s championship streak, shifting focus to a fresh set of contenders for NASCAR’s ultimate prize.
With Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron and Kyle Larson facing off against Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in the season finale, all eyes now turn to Phoenix Raceway. Byron’s unforgettable Martinsville win not only validated his grit and teamwork but also promises a dramatic showdown where only one driver will emerge as champion after a season filled with high drama and intense competition.
