The stage is about to determine NASCAR's ultimate 4

In all probability, William Byron has to win at Martinsville Speedway to succeed in the NASCAR Cup Collection ultimate 4 subsequent week at Phoenix and can lead the sphere to inexperienced on Sunday at Martinsville.

Whereas the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 driver is happy with the pole, he isn’t factors racing on Sunday and feels prefer it was simply extra vital to have a race profitable automobile and caring for it no matter the place it landed after time trials.

“It is humorous, I stated to myself earlier than I got here right here, I used to be like, man, qualifying does not matter as a lot because it usually does for us as a result of we do not actually need the stage factors,” Byron stated throughout a press convention after the session. “So perhaps that was the important thing. Actually for me, I used to be like, if I qualify twentieth, so long as I hold my nostril clear and have a ok automobile to drive via the sphere, I must be okay.”

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photograph by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photos

That’s as a result of, in contrast to earlier races at Martinsville with the NextGen automobile, the tire fall off is so vital now that that is much less and fewer an excessive observe place race.

“In case you certified out of the highest 10, it was like doomsday,” Byron stated. “So I feel that is modified a little bit bit with this tire and the autumn off however you all the time need observe place and being on the pole is sweet and provides us a very good pit stall.

“That is in all probability the largest key out of it. It offers us an opportunity to manage the race for a little bit bit.”

Present Playoff Grid

Chase Briscoe Adv.Denny Hamlin Adv.Christopher Bell +37Kyle Larson +36—William Byron -36Joey Logano -38Ryan Blaney -47Chase Elliott -62

What needs to be executed?

So right here’s the dynamic.

Bell and Larson are racing one another for factors simply in case one of many 4 under the cutline certainly win their manner into the ultimate 4. This may transfer the cutline up and the motive force of the 2 with the less factors can be the one who misses the reduce.

Of the 2, Larson had the significantly better by way of observe tempo. All advised, Hendrick Motorsports regarded actually aggressive total.

Needing to win, Chase Elliott was quickest in observe but in addition quickest within the 15-lap common and was second-fastest within the 10-lap common. Larson was fifth quickest total however second-fastest over the 15-lap common and 10-lap common.

Byron was seventh quickest total however third-fastest over 15 laps and 10 laps earlier than profitable the pole.

The Penske championship duo of Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano weren’t significantly quick in observe in any respect, however as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. identified throughout media availability, they by no means are so it’s laborious to learn into it.

“They’re going to be actually gradual in observe however then hastily they’re going to qualify good and race rather well,” Stenhouse stated. “So I am unsure what they’re doing. They’re clearly engaged on one thing.”

Logano backed that up and can begin fourth.

“You’re by no means happy or by no means blissful till we win however that’s a very good beginning spot for our Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang,” Logano stated. “I can see the entrance from there and hopefully we’ll get one of many pit stalls we’re searching for, however we’re all or nothing.

“You simply sort of need to hold that angle all day and see if we will put it up there. It looks as if our brief run pace was within the sport. Our long term pace was lower than nice, so we’ve received some work to do there.”

Watch: Logano on doing no matter it takes to make Championship 4: ‘It’s a take a look at of morals’

Blaney certified very poorly, thirty first, and has numerous work forward of him.

All advised, even Bell and Larson will really feel like they’ll must win on Sunday, as a result of in the event that they end second, it very may very well be Logano, Blaney, Byron or Elliott.

They raced it out for the win final 12 months with Blaney rising victorious.

“Gosh, final 12 months was an superior end of the race between me, Chase and Kyle,” Blaney stated. “Three guys underneath a blanket duking it out, and we have been capable of come out on prime. I anticipate the identical factor – laborious racing all over and pretty clear racing, you hope. There’s going to be contact, however you simply hope it doesn’t flip right into a cluster like we’ve seen right here prior to now. I feel we’ve been doing it the precise manner and the way in which Martinsville is meant to be raced.

“You recognize you’re in for a battle. It’s going to be a loopy one tomorrow. 4 guys [have to] win. Two guys sort of having their very own little factors deal occurring and battling to not be the underside seed in case one in all us do win, so it’ll be a wild day and hopefully we’re within the combine. That’s all you’ll be able to ask for.”

Watch: Ryan Blaney shares mentality along with his again in opposition to the wall at Martinsville

Learn Additionally:

Pictures from Martinsville – Apply & Qualifying

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet