The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 concludes Sunday with the Xfinity 500 in Virginia.
It’s the ninth race of a 10-week stretch of competition that ends in Arizona in November, when just four drivers will compete in the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.
The eight drivers who were part of the playoff field in Sunday’s race included Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe. Kyle Larson, Daniel Suárez, Austin Cindric and Alex Bowman were the four drivers eliminated from the Round of 12.
Here are the top moments from Martinsville Speedway:
Green!
Pole-winner Larson jumped out to the early lead, while Elliott was racing side-by-side for second with Blaney.
Bumper cars!
Briscoe put the bumper to Blaney to take third, while Larson put his bumper to the lapped car of Ty Dillon.
Follow the leader
Meanwhile, Elliott was able to get a nose on Larson and take his first lead of the race.
Battling early
Elliott and Hamlin were side-by-side for the lead with 10 to go in Stage 1. Hamlin was able to complete the pass and take the first stage win, but Byron got back on the lead lap for the ensuing run.
Misfortune strikes
Briscoe earned six points in Stage 1, but he was penalized for removing equipment from his pit stall, and the pit road penalty cost him his track position, dropping him from what would have been the fourth spot.
Hamlin takes charge
The green flag was back out on Lap 140, and Hamlin jumped out to a carlength lead on Elliott.
Then, as the second stage continued, Hamlin ran down Briscoe and Byron, putting both drivers one lap down.
Stay tuned for updates.
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