NASCAR Cup Series' Championship Four set after Martinsville race ends in controversy

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The NASCAR Cup Series’ Championship Four was set in stone on Sunday night after Ryan Blaney won the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

Blaney, the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, held off Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson for the victory. Each driver needed a win to get into the Championship Four. But it was the No. 12 car who crossed the start-finish line in first place.

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Ryan Blaney (12) leads Brad Keselowski (6) out of Turn 4 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Blaney was ecstatic as he pounded the hood of his Ford in celebration.

"I tried to save my rear tires early. I was struggling with my rears. … I think it kind of paid off for us," Blaney told NBC Sports after the race. "So proud of the effort of the 12 group for never giving up. To have another shot at a championship is really special."

Christopher Bell thought he secured the final spot. He passed Bubba Wallace and hit the wall in the final turn but secured the 18th spot and the point he needed to get past William Byron and earn the final spot.

However, NASCAR officials reviewed the end of the race as Bell was being investigated whether he pulled off a similar move as Ross Chastain did to win Martinsville in 2022. The so-called "Hail Melon" drive catapulted Chastain into the Championship Four. But NASCAR banned the move.

Bell appeared to get loose and hit the wall, but he continued to drive along the wall for a few feet before coming off it and finishing the race. Byron said that regardless of whether Bell meant to or not,