Chase Elliott wins thrilling Playoff race at Martinsville and advances to Championship 4: Chase Elliott cruised to an impressive 6.577-second victory over Ryan Blaney Sunday in the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for the most clutch victory of the 24-year old’s young career – earning a position in next week’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 season finale. Equally as dramatic was a failed last lap pass for position that has eliminated the regular season champion and nine-race winner Kevin Harvick from advancing to that final round. Harvick had to pass 2019 series champ Kyle Busch for one position – one point – to be able to advance to next week’s title race and instead the cars crashed after making contact. Harvick ended up 17th, eight points shy of a Playoff berth.[Read More](11-1-2020)

Paint schemes

#9-Chase Elliott won the XFINITY 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. The win is his 4th win of the year, 1st at Martinsville, and 10th career win. The win locks him into the Championship race at Phoenix.
#12-Blaney finished 2nd followed by #22-Logano, pole sitter #2-Keselowski, #1-Busch, #88-Bowman, #10-Almirola, #14-Bowyer, #18-Busch, and #21-DiBenedetto.
Drivers advancing to the Championship at Phoenix: #9-Chase Elliott, #22-Joey Logano, #11-Denny Hamlin, #2-Brad Keselowski.
Drivers eliminated from the Playoffs: #4-Kevin Harvick, #88-Alex Bowman, #19-Martin Truex, Jr., and #1-Kurt Busch.
Playoff drivers having issues during the race:
#4-Harvick had to pit under green during stage 2 when a tire went down after contact with #42-Kenseth. He lost 2 laps and fell to 32nd. He took the wavearound to get one lap back then had to fight his way to lap 400 when he got the free pass get back on the lead  lap. He was trying to get into a playoff position on the final lap when he spun #18-Busch and also spun himself out.  He finished 17th.
#11-Hamlin had to pit a second time during the second stage break to tighten lug nuts. He started the final stage in 29th, but battled back to finish 11th.
#19-Truex, Jr. led 129 laps and was the leader with 50 to go, but had a loose wheel and had to pit with 25 laps remaining.  He finished 22nd
Stage 1 was won by #11-Hamlin. Stage 2 was won by #9-Elliott.
There were 20 lead changes among 10 drivers and 12 cautions for 83 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 71.581mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Drivers Points Standings before reset, Owners Points Standings before reset, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.

Where the 2020 Cup Series Playoff drivers finished at Martinsville:
#9-Chase Elliott, 1st
#22-Joey Logano, 3rd
#2-Brad Keselowski, 4th
#1-Kurt Busch, 5th
#88-Alex Bowman, 6th
#11-Denny Hamlin, 11th
#4-Kevin Harvick, 17th
#19-Martin Truex, Jr., 22nd

Race Fast Facts – Martinsville:
Chase Elliott (P) won the 72nd Annual Xfinity 500, his 10th victory in 185 NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his fourth victory and 21st top-10 finish in 2020.
This is his first victory and sixth top-10 finish in 11 races at Martinsville Speedway.
Ryan Blaney (second) posted his sixth top-10 finish in 10 races at Martinsville Speedway. It is his 16th top-10 finish in 2020.
Joey Logano (P) (third) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 24 races at Martinsville Speedway.
Cole Custer (13th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski advance to the Championship 4 round.
(NASCAR)(11-1-2020)

Cup Series Playoff Standings going to Phoenix (Championship race):
Highest finisher at Phoenix is the Cup Series champion

Cup Series Playoff Standings after Martinsville (race 35):
before points reset

Cars to the rear: #77-Smithley (driver change)

Clinch Scenarios

If there is a new winner, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the third winless driver in the standings.

• Kevin Harvick: Would clinch with 37 points
• Denny Hamlin: Would clinch with 53 points
• Brad Keselowski: Would clinch with 55 points
• Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, and Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help

If there is a repeat winner, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the fourth winless driver in the standings. They would also clinch if there was a new winner among Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin or Brad Keselowski and being ahead of the third winless driver in the standings.

• Kevin Harvick: Would clinch with 14 points
• Denny Hamlin: Would clinch with 29 points
• Brad Keselowski: Would clinch with 31 points
• Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, and Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the XFINITY 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway have been made. Selections were made based on the starting lineup process.
Pole sitter #2-Keselowski chose pit stall 1.
2nd place starter #19-Truex, Jr. took the 12th stall.
See all pit choices on the Pit Stall chart.(10-29-2020)

#2-Brad Keselowski will start from the pole for the XFINITY 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway.
#19-Truex, Jr. will start second, followed by #88-Bowman, #11-Hamlin, #1-Busch, #4-Harvick, #22-Logano, #9-Elliott, #18-Busch, and #12-Blaney
The lineup was set by the new qualifying procedure, based on race finish, points position, and fastest race lap.
See the complete XFINITY 500 Starting Lineup.(10-29-2020)

Crew Rosters

Goodyear Tire Notes

The Entry List for the XFINITY 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is posted, 39 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #7-Bilicki, #15-Boole, #27-Yeley, #51-Gase, #53-Davison, #77-Smithley.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf).

Rules package: Teams will run the 750 hp package without aero ducts.

Fans: Martinsville will host a limited number of fans for all three races.