MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Chase Elliott might want to make Sunday memorable if he’s to achieve the championship race for the primary time since 2022.
He embraces the problem.
“I’m tremendous enthusiastic about it,” mentioned Elliott, who should win Sunday’s Spherical of 8 finale at Martinsville Speedway to advance to subsequent weekend’s title race at Phoenix. “This weekend is simply loads of enjoyable, actually, from my perspective, whether or not we’re 10 factors out, 30 factors out, 150 factors out. I don’t care. I’m wanting ahead to it.
“I believe it is a good alternative to maintain issues actually easy for us. Exit and carry out at as excessive a stage as we will. Suppose we’re very succesful, and I stay up for no matter (Sunday) brings.”
The ultimate two spots within the Championship 4 will likely be determined over 500 laps on the 0.526-mile oval.
Elliott, who’s 62 factors from the cutline, begins eighth in Sunday’s race.
In 2020, Elliott was in a must-win state of affairs at Martinsville and gained to advance. He went on to assert the Cup title the next week in Phoenix.
Two of the 4 spots in subsequent weekend’s title race are already set with Denny Hamlin (Las Vegas winner) and Chase Briscoe (Talladega winner). Christopher Bell (+37 factors) and Kyle Larson (+36) are within the ultimate two switch spots.
These under the cutline are William Byron (-36), reigning Cup champion Joey Logano (-38), Ryan Blaney (-47) and Elliott (-62).
William Byron is in a must-win state of affairs to advance to subsequent weekend’s championship race at Phoenix.
Byron, the common season champion, will begin on the pole at a observe the place he watched his first race as a youth and gained the spring race at in 2022 and ’24. He and his staff search to return to the championship race for a 3rd consecutive 12 months.
The frustration of being spun on the ultimate lap final week at Talladega — and shedding greater than 20 factors — is a distant reminiscence for Byron’s crew chief, Rudy Fugle.
“The way in which we give it some thought is we’ve labored since January 2 continuous simply across the clock,” Fugle mentioned this week. “Because the playoffs began I’m no less than 80 hours per week with my engineers and these guys are doing near that as properly. How will you dwell and let one thing like what occurred final week have an effect on (this) week and your likelihood at a championship while you’ve labored all the 12 months?
“You possibly can’t dwell on the dangerous issues. It’s a must to refocus and provides it your full effort. It’s going to work out or it’s not, however for those who fear in regards to the previous stuff, nothing good can occur.”
Kyle Larson holds the ultimate switch spot heading into Sunday’s Spherical of 8 finale on NBC and Peacock.
Larson, who begins third, is the third Hendrick driver attempting to safe a spot within the title race. The final time Hendrick Motorsports didn’t have a automobile within the championship race was 2019.
“I’d argue we’re as sturdy or stronger now than now we have ever been,” mentioned Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels. “It’s a quite simple cliché assertion however what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. We’ve been by loads of ups and down this 12 months on the racing aspect after which simply behind the scenes the place loads of that has proven us our personal weaknesses.”
Chase Elliott and William Byron are under the cutline getting into Sunday’s playoff race at Martinsville on NBC and Peacock.
Whereas Larson and Bell have a big hole on these under the cutline, Bell doesn’t view it that manner. If a driver under the cutline wins, then Bell will likely be racing Larson for the ultimate switch spot. Bell enters the race one level forward of Larson.
“It’s going to be a battle,” Bell mentioned of his duel with Larson. “We all know principally whoever scores extra factors than one another goes to make it.”
Logano and Blaney, teammates at Crew Penske, each try to win their approach to the title race. Blaney has gained the previous two Martinsville playoff races however to take action once more will likely be a problem after he certified thirty first.
Logano will begin fourth and seeks to advance to have an opportunity to win a fourth Cup crown.
“Each week (within the playoffs) is hard and the strain ratchets up each week and it impacts you, there’s little doubt,” Logano mentioned. “I’d assume it impacts everybody. I don’t see the way it doesn’t for those who care sufficient about it. For those who care, you’re going to be digging deep and looking for that little bit extra and what it’s going to take.”
Hamlin mentioned the race for the ultimate two switch spots will likely be intense.
“The way in which it’s shaping up I’ve seen at the moment in apply, I don’t suppose any one in all these guys are protected,” he mentioned. “I believe it’s going to return right down to the wire to see who wins this factor. We all know that two are in, however I believe everybody else is up for grabs. It’s going to be shut.”
