Kyle Larson closes in on NASCAR championship as Hendrick teammate William Byron wins at Martinsville – WTOP News
- The 0.526-mile oval of Martinsville Speedway hosts race 9 of 10 in The Chase this weekend, serving as the penultimate event of the 2026 NASCAR season for Cup and Truck Series contenders.
- NASCAR implemented a revised bumper structure in June to make contact more consequential after drivers raised concerns about heavy hits without sufficient damage to slow cars.
- Toyota driver Chase Briscoe warned the new rules could lead to damaged radiators during Sunday's Xfinity 500, recalling a heavy 25G impact during the spring race at Martinsville.
- NBC analyst Steve Letarte explained drivers requested the bumper changes to ensure accountability, stating, "You shouldn't be able to hit someone that hard without doing damage or wrecking the car."
- This weekend's event serves as a critical test for the new bumper package, as Martinsville's tight corners and frequent restarts force heavy contact that leaves less protection against impacts.
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30 Articles
The Toronto Star
Kyle Larson closes in on NASCAR championship as Hendrick teammate William Byron wins at Martinsville
Martinsville, Va. (AP) — Kyle Larson salvaged a nearly disastrous Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, putting him on the cusp of his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Kyle Larson closes in on NASCAR championship as Hendrick teammate William Byron wins at Martinsville – WTOP News
Kyle Larson salvaged a nearly disastrous Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, putting him on the cusp of his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship.
NBC New York
NBC WashingtonKyle Larson closes in on NASCAR title as William Byron wins at Martinsville
Kyle Larson salvaged a nearly disastrous Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, putting him on the cusp of his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title.
Bubba Wallace Exposes Next-Gen’s Harsh Short-Track Reality
NASCAR’s revised short-track bumper package is making its final appearance of the 2026 season at Martinsville, putting drivers in a tricky position. While the softened structure is designed to make contact more consequential and discourage aggressive bumping, Martinsville is hardly a track where drivers can afford to keep their distance. Bubba Wallace understands that better […]
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