RIDGEWAY, Va. – The checkered flag has waved signalling the end of the Xfinity 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. William Byron is in victory lane after taking the lead following a late caution and holding off Ryan Blaney.
Sunday proved to be Byron’s third career victory at Martinsville Speedway. After winning the pole stage one stage two and leading over 300 laps, you would think that William Byron had all the confidence in the world that he was going to win this race and punch his ticket to the championship four. But it was clear as he emerged from the 24 car filled with emotion that he knew better than anyone racing on Martinsville. Nothing is guaranteed.
“Just kind of elation, really just thinking about what it takes to get to this point and kind of the last couple of weeks, right?” Byron said. “The resilience it has taken to get through the challenges we’ve had. and and get to this point.”
From the pole to checkered flag! William Byron wins! pic.twitter.com/WZKD1tR990
— Brooke Leonard (@abrookeleonard) October 26, 2025
It was still no easy feat with Ryan Blaney and Byron battling back and forth between one and two. The 12 car looking to walk it off for a third time in a row.
“And we saw how strong the 12 was on the outside of some of those restarts. So I was anticipating the 12 giving them a heck of a battle, but I was also expecting him to give him the bumper. And William didn’t give him the chance to do that,” Hendrick Motorsports Vice-Chair Jeff Gordon said.
“What was I worried about?” asked Byron. “Just, just staying within myself, right? Just not not doing too much. So, you know, I feel like I’ve been blessed with a good team and good senses and feel and just try to trust that.”
He’s into the Championship 4 field along with teammate Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin of JGR and Chase Briscoe of JGR.
Team Penske has no drivers that will be competing for a championship, with Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney being eliminated along with Christopher Bell of JGR and Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports.