Ryan Blaney simply appears to have a clutch gene in terms of Martinsville Speedway within the fall.
For the second straight 12 months, the 2023 champion drove the race of his life on the half-mile brief monitor, passing Chase Elliott to take the lead and finally win the race.
The victory places Blaney within the Championship 4 for the second consecutive season and offers him the prospect to defend his title.
Blaney began 14th on Sunday afternoon, and drove himself as much as fifth by the top of Stage 1. Blaney completed second in Stage 2 to Brad Keselowski, and it was within the second stage the place the power of Blaney’s automotive on the long term actually confirmed.
Nonetheless, Blaney was fourth with 47 laps to go, and wanted a miraculous drive to be able to win the race and advance to the Championship 4.
Because it seems, a miraculous drive was precisely what he turned in.
After passing William Byron for third with 47 laps to go, Blaney ran down leaders Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, passing Elliott for the lead on Lap 486 and by no means wanting again.
By the point the race ended, Blaney had prolonged his result in over 2.5 seconds, making up 5 seconds over the past 45 laps of the race.
“So happy with the hassle by all people on the No. 12 group, by no means giving up,” Blaney informed NBC Sports activities. “To have one other shot at a championship is admittedly particular.”
Blaney will attempt to defend his 2023 championship at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday.