NASCAR Power Rankings: Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin among drivers facing pressure ahead of 2024 Martinsville playoff race
NASCAR returns to Martinsville Speedway this weekend after a thrilling race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. With two spots up for grabs in the Championship 4, the penultimate race at the 'Paperclip Oval' is shaping up to be a thriller.
23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick clinched the win at Homestead with a sensational last-lap overtake, joining Joey Logano as the two drivers locked into the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway. Christopher Bell is 29 points good to the cutline while William Byron is a mere seven points above the cutline.
Yet another chaotic race for Kyle Larson dropped him below the cutline, seven points down on his Hendrick Motorsports teammate. Denny Hamlin reduced his deficit to 18 points, while Ryan Blaney (-38) and Chase Elliott (-43) remain in must-win territory.
This weekend's race at Martinsville Speedway will decide the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 contenders, with each remaining playoff driver’s fate hanging in the balance. Let us take a look at the remaining contenders and their chances of advancing to the season finale.
NASCAR playoff drivers under pressure heading to Martinsville
Christopher Bell (+29)
Christopher Bell's cushion to the cutline has reduced following his visit to Homestead. Bell has some breathing room with the 29-point advantage, however, he cannot afford a bad race this weekend.
The #20 JGR driver clinched a clutch victory at Martinsville in 2022 but has failed to crack the top 5 in his remaining eight starts at the track, finishing 35th earlier this season.
William Byron (+7)
William Byron didn't have the speed to win at Homestead but stayed seven points above the cutline. Byron is a two-time winner at Martinsville Speedway, winning the milestone race for Hendrick Motorsports earlier this season.
Byron needs to score big stage points to increase the cushion on his teammate Kyle Larson and be in contention for victory to advance into the season finale.
Kyle Larson (-7)
Kyle Larson's aggressive maneuver dropped him seven points below the cutline. Larson has finished inside the top 2 in three of his previous four starts at Martinsville.
It will likely be a dogfight between Larson and Byron for the final spot, given other playoff drivers below the cutline don't win the race. Larson needs a clean race with solid stage points to beat his teammate.
Denny Hamlin (-18)
Denny Hamlin isn't necessarily in must-win territory, but outscoring Larson and Byron won't be an easy task. A five-time winner at the Martinsville, Hamlin is expected to be in the mix for victory this weekend.
His last victory at the track dates back to 2015 but has finished inside the top-5 in three of his last four starts. Hamlin should be aiming for the victory this weekend and nothing less.
Ryan Blaney (-38)
After losing the victory at Homestead on the final lap, the reigning NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney returns to Martinsville in a must-win scenario. Blaney won the fall race last year to advance to the finale.
He has a good track record at the 0.5-mile oval, finishing inside the top 5 in four of his last five starts at the track.
Chase Elliott (-43)
The 2020 NASCAR Cup champion Chase Elliott is in must-win territory to fight for the championship at Phoenix. Elliott's third-place finish at Martinsville earlier this season marks his lone top-five finish in the last six races at the track.
Elliott needs a victory this weekend to contend for the championship at Phoenix.