Ryan Blaney celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday in Martinsville, Virginia. Chuck Burton/Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Ryan Blaney had the chance to defend his Cup Series championship with a victory Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, where a controversial finish forced NASCAR to decide whether Christopher Bell or William Byron took the final spot in the season at winner. final.

The ending was marred by NASCAR’s lengthy review of Bell potentially committing a safety violation with his pass of Byron on the final lap. Bell hit the wall and ran part of it to gain momentum — the same thing Ross Chastain did two years ago in a move that has since been banned by NASCAR.

Bell’s pass of Byron left the two men tied on points for the final spot in next week’s title race at Phoenix Raceway. After an extremely long delay, Bell’s decision was deemed illegal and Byron was awarded last place.

“I understand the rule is made to stop people from riding the wall, but my decision was completely different from Ross’s,” said Bell, who was denied a third straight appearance in the championship race.

The decision saved the playoffs for Hendrick Motorsports, which put three drivers in the round of 16 in contention for four championship spots. If NASCAR hadn’t ruled Bell’s decision illegal, not a single Hendrick car would be racing for the Cup Series title.

Blaney, meanwhile, passed Chase Elliott with 15 laps remaining to win at the Virginia track for a second straight year and take a spot in next week’s championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney will race with Penske teammate Joey Logano, 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Byron.

The title will go to the highest ranked driver next Sunday.

“Having another chance to win the championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to go back next week. I have nothing left. Oh my God, I’m tired.

Blaney lost an automatic berth to the finale last week when Reddick passed him in the final turn at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The victory gives team owner Roger Penske two chances to win a third title this year: Penske teams won the IMSA sports car championships and Saturday won the World Endurance Championship.

Blaney’s victory was the 100th for Team Penske since partnering with Ford. Logano won the title in 2022, Blaney won in 2023 and Penske now has a chance to win three straight Cup titles.

“Lots of momentum. It’s nice to have two Penske cars on board,” Blaney said. “It’s good to join (Logano) and have a good chance to bring Roger another title, a third title in a row, so these guys are the best at what they do and it’s been so much fun to run with them and share victories and championships.

“It’s very strong right now in our organization and I hope it continues.”

While Blaney celebrated, Bell and Byron stood silently in front of their cars awaiting a decision from NASCAR. Byron’s pass at the end left the two men tied on points for last place in the championship race and NASCAR had to decide whether Bell had done anything illegal.

Both drivers stood silently in front of their cars awaiting a NASCAR decision.

“It’s weird,” Bell said.

Byron added: “There is a rule against that. I don’t see how they could call it anything else.

Elliott finished second at Martinsville, Larson third, Penske driver Austin Cindric fourth but is not eligible for a championship spot.

Denny Hamlin led from last to fifth but was eliminated from the final and Byron finished sixth and secured the final spot in the championship field when Bell’s pass was ruled illegal. Bell finished 22nd after an initial spin in the race. He had a large enough points cushion that left him tied with Byron for last place in the championship.

Byron and Blaney return to championship contention for the second year in a row; Logano is the only two-time champion in the field and Reddick is making his debut in title contention.

The field is represented by two Ford drivers, a Toyota and Hendrick’s Chevrolet.

Martin Truex Jr., who is retiring from full-time NASCAR racing after next week’s race, started the penultimate race of his Joe Gibbs Racing career from the pole.

He led the first 42 laps in his Toyota until he had to make his scheduled pit stop, and Truex was flagged for speeding on pit road. The penalty put him three laps behind and spoiled his race.

Truex, who was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, then received a second penalty for speeding and finished 24th on Sunday.

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