Christopher Bell came to Martinsville Speedway on Sunday (Oct. 30) in what was essentially a must-win situation, three races after pulling off a clutch victory at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL to advance to the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs’ Round of 8.
He did it again.
Bell dominated late and rebounded from split strategy in the waning laps to retake the lead, going unchallenged the final five laps en route to his third victory of 2022.
Behind him, Joey Logano and Chase Elliott had relatively calm races, but it was at the cutoff line where the drama unfolded. Denny Hamlin passed six cars in the final 30 laps to hold a two-point advantage over Ross Chastain on the final lap of the race.
And just when the transfer race seemed decided, Chastain pulled off a vide0-game move to somehow, some way secure the final spot in the Championship 4. The No. 1 wall-rode his way through turns 3 and 4 at full speed, passing five drivers (including Hamlin) to advance to Phoenix Raceway by just four points.
Polesitter Kyle Larson finished second behind Bell, and he will compete for the owner’s championship next weekend. Ryan Blaney was eliminated from championship contention with a third-place finish, while Brad Keselowski scored his best result of the season in fourth. Chastain went from 10th to fifth in the final two turns to take the final transfer spot.
Hamlin was eliminated from the playoff with a sixth-place finish despite leading 203 laps and sweeping the first two stages. Logano finished seventh and advanced to Phoenix while William Byron was eliminated after finishing eighth. Bubba Wallace finished ninth in his first race back from a suspension while Chase Briscoe — who was passed for the lead late by Bell after staying out with 30 laps to go — was eliminated after finishing 10th.
Chase Elliott finished 11th to clinch one of the two transfer spots on points. Logano, Bell, Elliott and Chastain will compete for the driver’s championship next week at Phoenix.
Larson faced brief contention from Hendrick Motorsports teammate Elliott in the early laps of the race, but he maintained his spot out front despite subsequent interference from traffic. The No. 5 was forced at times to pressure lapped cars with slight bumps, as position was at a premium and passing minimal in the opening stage. Leaders encountered the lapped traffic early on, the back of the field coming into play around lap 25.
Playoff drivers swapped spots early as well, including…
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