William Byron won the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, 1 November, leading 362 of the 500 laps and holding off Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott in the closing laps.
It was Byron’s first win of the 2026 season and the 17th Cup Series win of his career, and his fourth victory at Martinsville, one of the sport’s most demanding short tracks. He beat Elliott by 2.049 seconds.
A dominant day ends a long drought
Byron, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet, won both Stage 1 and Stage 2 and completed a maximum-points day. The win snapped a 35-race winless streak dating back to last year’s fall race at Martinsville, where he also won.
Byron had already been eliminated from championship contention, but the victory ensured he would not go through the entire 2026 season without a win. He climbed two places in the standings, to ninth.
Ty Gibbs finished third, followed by Josh Berry and Shane van Gisbergen in the top five. Denny Hamlin was sixth, Austin Dillon seventh, Bubba Wallace eighth, Kyle Larson ninth and Christopher Bell 10th.
Larson cannot clinch — title goes to Homestead
The bigger championship story belonged to points leader Kyle Larson. Starting third, Larson struggled for track position after his team chose not to pit during the opening-stage cycle, leaving him without stage points and at one point a lap down. He recovered to finish ninth, but it was not enough to clinch the championship a week early.
Larson heads to the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on 8 November with 2,469 points, holding a 67-point lead over Christopher Bell and a 70-point lead over Denny Hamlin. Only Larson, Bell and Hamlin remain mathematically eligible for the title, so the championship will be decided in the final race.
Chase Briscoe, who finished 14th at Martinsville, was among the drivers officially eliminated from championship contention on Sunday, along with Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney.
What happens next
The Cup Series now heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Championship Race on Sunday, 8 November, the final race of the 2026 season. Larson needs only to protect his lead, while Bell and Hamlin need a dramatic swing to take the title.
FAQ
Who won the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville?
William Byron, leading 362 laps and beating Chase Elliott by 2.049 seconds.
Why didn’t Kyle Larson clinch the title?
Larson finished ninth and did not build a large enough points lead, so the championship stays alive for Bell and Hamlin.
Who can still win the championship?
Only Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin, with Larson leading Bell by 67 points and Hamlin by 70.
When is the season finale?
Sunday, 8 November, at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Sources
- Sports Illustrated: Byron Claims Martinsville Win as Larson (9th) Fails to Lock Up Title — https://www.si.com/onsi/racing-america/news/byron-claims-martinsville-win-as-larson-9th-fails-to-lock-up-title?utm_source=RSS
- USA Today: William Byron wins Martinsville race; NASCAR title still up for grabs — https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2026/11/01/nascar-race-today-martinsville-updates-highlights-tv-lineup-leaderboard–live/92536588007/
- Yardbarker: William Byron rules Xfinity 500 at Martinsville; Kyle Larson does not clinch Chase — https://www.yardbarker.com/nascar/articles/william_byron_rules_xfinity_500_at_martinsville_kyle_larson_does_not_clinch_chase/s1_17046_44503382
- Heavy: NASCAR Standings After Martinsville: Chase Shakeup — https://heavy.com/sports/nascar/cup-series-standings-after-martinsville-2026/
