NASCAR
Taylor Gray Earns Redeeming Martinsville Win, Xfinity Championship 4 Set
RIDGEWAY, Va. – The third time’s apparently the charm for Taylor Gray at Martinsville Speedway. Following heartbreaking losses here last fall in the Trucks and earlier this year in Xfinity, the stars finally aligned for the 54. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver beats all Playoff contenders by finally breaking into NASCAR National Series victory lane. The Championship 4 meanwhile pits four stout Chevrolets against each other for next week’s title finale.
Both stages were split by JR Motorsports teammates Justin Allgaier and Carson Kvapil. The former began the night already locked into the Championship 4, while the latter was racing for his Playoff life. A long pit stop after the stage win subsequently buried Kvapil back in traffic.
Adjustments made by the @JRMotorsports 1 team #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/wbiRi2iLG5
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 26, 2025
Stage 3 was likewise dominated by Joe Gibbs Racing; three of their four drivers spent time out front. Aric Almirola appeared on his way to a third Martinsville triumph in a four-race span, until pit stops just outside of fifty laps left. A caution flag cycle saw Taylor Gray edge Almirola off pit road, and retain all-important control of the race. Despite a rash of late cautions including overtime, Gray was not to be denied a maiden Xfinity Series triumph.
“Gosh about damn time I get me a clock baby!” Gray said. “Man I cannot thank everyone on this 54 team. Such an awesome racecar. Way faster, maybe not than Xfinity Mobile, but just as fast. Jason Ratcliff, all these guys, the pit crew did an awesome job tonight. Everyone on this crew bring awesome cars to this racetrack, and give me an opportunity to race for a win every time I come here.”
Eerily reminiscent of the spring race here, Sammy Smith was second behind Gray, this time finishing there. Smith just edged out Brandon Jones and Sheldon Creed; none of these Playoff contenders were able to transfer onto the Championship 4. Aric Almirola backslid late to fifth, ahead of: Jeb Burton, Sam Mayer, Dean Thompson, Connor Zilisch, and Justin Bonsignore. Hear from a few of these drivers below.
Caught the tail end of @sammysmithSS saying he wouldn’t have wrecked @Taylor_Gray for the win and risk getting thrown out of the Playoffs #NASCAR #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cYonWQIUaU
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 26, 2025
.@BrandonJonesRac was 3rd tonight and said he spun his tires badly on the overtime restart, narrowly missing the Championship 4. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/XLQj1wXxfx
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 26, 2025
.@JebBurtonRacing sounds off about @sam_mayer_
“He’s a punk and everyone knows it.”
Jeb was hoping to get to Sam post-race but was stopped at the opposite end of pit road.
He says there would not have been much talking. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/rPtriIx8Sx
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) October 26, 2025
Sam Mayer says “that sounds great to me!” when told Burton intended to fight post-race.
“That dude doesn’t have the ‘it factor’ he has the ‘shit factor.’ #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/v4Y94MiZqt
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) October 26, 2025
The Championship 4 ultimately did not change after Martinsville. Jesse Love’s points cushion was enough to overcome a horrendous night on-track. Meanwhile, a late spin by Carson Kvapil briefly had him out of contention but he rallied to race his way back in by a few points. Both of these Championship 4 drivers plus Justin Allgaier gave their post-race thoughts.
.@Carson_Kvapil rebounded from a late spin and restarting 30th to claw his way to 18th and a maiden Championship 4 showing for the @JRMotorsports rookie. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/geLF3WGwzE
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 26, 2025
.@jesselovejr1 says his team missed something in the setup tonight, but despite the 23rd-place result he’s still in the Championship 4 for @RCRracing. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/LNxCeAVg5a
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 26, 2025
.@J_Allgaier says an stress-free Martinsville did not live up to expectations he had, but his team got the job done tonight with a stage win.
The 7 crew now look to repeat next week as Xfinity champions at one of Allgaier’s best tracks in @phoenixraceway. #NASCAR… pic.twitter.com/rpGZc6cnR4
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 26, 2025
2025’s Xfinity Series Championship all comes down to Phoenix Raceway on Saturday. The title-deciding finale race will see three JR Motorsports teammates and one Richard Childress Racing car duel for the ultimate prize. The green flag flies at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Peter Stratta/TSJSports
