NASCAR fans were prepared for the ultimate drama as the 2025 Cup Series playoffs reached their pressure cooker climax at Martinsville Speedway’s Xfinity 500. It served as the elimination race for the Round of 8, a brutal 500-lap gauntlet on the unforgiving 0.526-mile ‘paperclip’ short track. With only 4 spots available for the Championship 4 race at Phoenix, the stakes were sky-high. William Byron, starting from the pole, and Kyle Larson were the two drivers who ultimately punched their ticket based on points, with Byron winning the race after an aggressive late-race pass on Ryan Blaney.

On the other hand, Carson Hocevar in the No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet experienced a tumultuous performance throughout the 500 laps, ultimately finishing 31st after several late-race incidents. Earlie

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