2026 NASCAR Cup: Winners and Losers from Martinsville Penultimate Race

The penultimate race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville brought plenty of action over 500 laps, delivering the 15th different winner this year but leaving the championship standings largely unchanged. With only one race left, Kyle Larson is on the verge of clinching his third title, holding a commanding lead over rivals Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin, who trail by 67 and 70 points respectively.

Despite some bumps in Larson's performance, his closest challengers also struggled, allowing Hendrick Motorsports to shine once again. William Byron celebrated his first victory of the season, leading a 1-2 finish alongside teammate Chase Elliott.

Winners and Losers from Martinsville

Winner: William Byron ends his winless streakByron, driving the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, had a tough 2026 until this race. He hadn’t won since Martinsville in late 2025 and was 14th in the standings just two weeks ago. Dominating the race, he led 362 of the 500 laps—more than he had all season combined—and claimed his fourth Martinsville victory. This win boosted him up to ninth in the championship, offering relief after a challenging season for both Byron and crew chief Rudy Fugle.
Loser: Joe Gibbs Racing misses key chancesLarson wasn’t at his peak, losing stage points and falling a lap down early on, but Joe Gibbs Racing couldn’t take advantage. Both Denny Hamlin and Briscoe failed to earn stage points, while Christopher Bell got eight before a speeding penalty. Bell and Hamlin tangled after contact from Logano, making it a messy day. Hamlin gained just three points and Bell seven on Larson, with Hamlin expressing doubt about their path to the championship.
Winner: Kyle Larson edges closer to third crownDespite setbacks, Larson’s No. 5 team recovered to finish ninth and remain on the lead lap. Though he didn’t clinch the title early, securing just eight stage points next week will seal it mid-race. Larson and his crew chief Daniels continue to impress, needing only to avoid an early exit in the final round.
Loser: Joey Logano’s pit troubles end title bidLogano was in position to gain points and possibly challenge for the win, but two poor pit stops dashed those hopes. A late stop to tighten a wheel and another mishap where a crew member was pulled out of the pit box cost valuable time. Finishing 18th, Logano is now out of championship contention but could still climb to second in the standings—a remarkable turnaround from earlier in the year.
Winner: Shane van Gisbergen shines with top-five oval finishWhile teammate Ross Chastain suffered a setback on the final pit stop, SVG took over and delivered a strong performance. Starting 29th, he climbed to fifth place, marking his third top-five finish on ovals this season and becoming the biggest mover at Martinsville. He hinted at upcoming changes for Trackhouse Racing that might make the No. 97 car even faster.
Loser: Ryan Preece’s loose wheel ruins strong runPreece had a solid race in the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, leading 41 laps and running inside the top five comfortably. On lap 226, a loose wheel caused him to spin from fourth place, dropping him to 28th and ending a promising day for him and the team.
Bonus Loser: Carson Hocevar causes controversyThe No. 77 team struggled with pace, but Hocevar made things worse by spinning alone during green-flag pit stops, triggering the first natural caution. Some suspected the spin was deliberate, though he denied it. Later, he repeatedly brake-checked Austin Cindric, causing damage that ended Cindric’s race despite no battle for position between them. Hocevar’s dismissive post-race attitude drew criticism from NASCAR veterans Jeff Burton and Dale Jarrett.

Standings and Final Thoughts

Kyle Larson: Leading the championship, on the edge of clinching the title next race
Christopher Bell: 67 points behind Larson, struggles continuing
Denny Hamlin: 70 points back, doubtful of championship chances
William Byron: Climbed to ninth after a dominant Martinsville win
Joey Logano: Out of title contention but could reach second overall

Martinsville’s race showed that even with chaos and surprises, the season’s story remains mostly intact. Larson’s dominance and Hendrick Motorsports’ strength are clear, while a few drivers still have last-minute shots to shake up the standings.