Byron Clinches NASCAR Championship 4 Spot with Martinsville Win

William Byron secured a dominant victory at Martinsville Speedway, leading 304 of 500 laps to clinch a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Four at Phoenix Raceway. Byron overtook Ryan Blaney, who had battled from 31st place and led 177 laps, with a critical bump and pass in the closing laps, holding on to win despite a late restart challenge. Alongside Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe advanced to the Championship Four, with Larson narrowly edging out Christopher Bell for the final berth. The race was marked by intense competition, multiple cautions, and strategic pit stops, and it resulted in the end of Team Penske’s three-year championship streak, as neither Blaney nor Joey Logano qualified for the finale. Byron’s win was his third of the season and highlighted his skill and composure under playoff pressure. The championship will be decided at Phoenix Raceway, with the four finalists split evenly between Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.