The NASCAR Cup Series is heading back to Virginia’s Martinsville Speedway for the final cut-off race before the championship final in Phoenix, but don’t expect anyone to be heading into the wall … at least not intentionally.
After Ross Chastain’s legendary “Hail Melon” wall ride that blasted him past Denny Hamlin and into the final last year, NASCAR changed its rules to prevent anyone from trying the epic, but potentially dangerous move again.
Chastain qualified for the playoffs, but didn’t make it past the round of 12 this season.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell have already booked spots in the championship race at Phoenix with wins at Las Vegas and Miami-Homestead, leaving six drivers to fight it out for the two remaining positions.
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They are currently occupied by William Byron and Ryan Blaney, who lead Tyler Reddick, regular season champion Martin Truex Jr., Hamlin and Chris Buescher on points, but a win by any of them on the .526-mile paperclip oval means they’re into the final.
WHO IS THE FAVORITE?
BetMGM has Denny Hamlin as the clear favorite to win the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville with +325 odds, followed by Hendrick Motorsports teammates Larson and Byron tied at +725 and Truex at +900.
Truex has three career wins at the track, while Larson won this year’s spring race and Bell last fall’s race.
Virginia native Hamlin has the best history at the track among active drivers, however, with five career wins, but none since 2015.
HOW TO WATCH THE XFINITY 500:
The Xfinity Series is also in Martinsville for its decider, which will be broadcast on USA at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 28, followed by the Cup Series race on NBC on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2:00 p.m. ET.