The fourth NASCAR Cup Series championship is set after the Martinsville race ends in controversy

The NASCAR Cup Series' fourth championship was set in stone Sunday night after Ryan Blaney won the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

Blaney, the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, held off Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson to take the win. Each driver needed a win to advance to the Championship Four. But it was the No. 12 car that crossed the start-finish line first.

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Ryan Blaney (12) leads Brad Keselowski (6) out of Turn 4 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, November 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Blaney was beside himself with joy as he pounded on the hood of his Ford in celebration.

“Early on I tried to protect my rear tires. I had problems with my butt. … I think it kind of paid off for us,” Blaney told NBC Sports after the race. “I am so proud of the performance of the group of 12, who never gave up. To have another chance at a championship is really special.”

Christopher Bell thought he had secured last place. He passed Bubba Wallace and hit the wall in the final corner, but secured 18th place and the point he needed to get past William Byron and take the final spot.

However, NASCAR officials reviewed the end of the race as Bell was under investigation for whether he made a similar move to Ross Chastain to win Martinsville in 2022. The so-called “Hail Melon” ride catapulted Chastain to his fourth championship. But NASCAR banned the move.

Bell appeared to break free and hit the wall, but he continued along the wall for a few meters before breaking free and ending the race. Byron said that whether Bell intended it or not, he rode the wall.

William Byron (24) drives into Turn 1 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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NASCAR officials determined that Bell had violated safety rules and Byron was awarded the final spot in the fourth championship.

Bell was stunned.

Blaney and Byron now join Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick at Phoenix International Raceway for a chance at a title.

Logano became the first driver to secure a spot in the fourth championship with his victory in Las Vegas. No pressure was needed in the last few races to secure the last spot.

Reddick will be in the Championship Four for the first time. In the final moments of Homestead-Miami, he went from third to first, winning and securing a spot in the finals.

Drivers drive their cars through turns 1 and 2 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia, on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Blaney is the defending champion. At the end of last season he finished second in Phoenix. Larson, Bell and Byron all competed against him.

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