We‘re bringing you live updates covering Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race from Martinsville Speedway, the Xfinity 500 (2 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NBC Sports App). Bookmark this page and check back often as we chronicle the action from what promises to be a thrilling Sunday.
Overview:
• Martinsville Speedway hosts the 500-lap Round of 8 playoff elimination race Sunday afternoon.
• Among the eight playoff contenders, four drivers will leave Martinsville eliminated from the championship fight. With a new, softer tire expected to offer a high degree of unpredictability, anything could happen — and anyone, except already locked-in drivers Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick, could be going home disappointed.
If it helps to get you in the mood, you can check out past Martinsville races ad-free on NASCAR Classics.
All times listed are Eastern.
Sunday, November 3
2:05 p.m., Lap 1: 🟢 Green flag! Martin Truex Jr. leads the field to the start of the Xfinity 500.
1:55 p.m.: Engines are fired! Follow along on NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the NBC Sports App and our NASCAR.com live leaderboard in Race Center.
1:54 p.m.: The only drivers resting easy today are Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick. No matter where they finish today, they‘ll compete for a championship next week.
1:47 p.m.: Pre-race ceremonies are underway! The Isaacs have got the place moving with a lovely performance of the national anthem as planes soar overhead for this afternoon‘s flyover.
1:45 p.m.: All eyes are on the playoffs this afternoon, but let‘s hear it for Michael McDowell, starting his 500th Cup Series start this afternoon. McDowell made his first start at Martinsville in 2008.
1:42 p.m.: Speaking of Denny Hamlin, he‘s my pick for NASCAR.com‘s 36 for 36 this weekend. It‘s been a fun season of strategy (and, let‘s face it, luck), and I‘m pretty pleased with my remaining picks for the year.
1:40 p.m.: My Fantasy Live lineup for this weekend features strong qualifiers … plus my garage pick of Denny Hamlin, who‘s starting in last place after a crash in practice. (I‘m locked in a tight points battle with some of my NASCAR.com teammates, so we‘ll need a good afternoon.)
1:35 p.m.: Here‘s what the points look like for the remaining eight playoff drivers. Any of these drivers can secure their spot in next year‘s championship race by winning today. At least one driver will advance solely on points; entering this afternoon, that‘s Christopher Bell, who‘s got a 29-point cushion.
1. Tyler Reddick: Advanced
2. Joey Logano: Advanced
3. Christopher Bell: +29
4. William Byron: +7
— Elimination Line —
5. Kyle Larson: -7
6. Denny Hamlin: -18
7: Ryan Blaney: -38
8: Chase Elliott: -43
1:30 p.m.: Howdy! It‘s the final elimination race in the playoffs, and by the end of the afternoon we‘ll know who will join Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick in this year‘s Championship 4.
