Byron Wins Martinsville, Advances After Contact

William Byron won the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville after making contact with Ryan Blaney about 43 laps to go, leading a race-high 304 of 500 laps and holding off a late restart to clinch a Championship 4 berth. Byron will join Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson in the Nov. 2 title race at Phoenix, with Larson advancing on points. The victory ended Team Penske’s three-year championship streak. Ryan Blaney rallied from a 31st-place start, led 177 laps and finished a close second, 0.717 seconds back. Hamlin and Briscoe suffered engine-related issues that influenced the Round of 8 outcome. Heading into Phoenix, betting odds list Denny Hamlin as the early favorite with Larson, Byron and Briscoe close behind.