Wild-Finish Results in Tested Tempers at Martinsville; Joey Logano Punches Ticket to Homestead

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Joey Logano became the first driver to punch his ticket to Homestead on Sunday after winning Sunday's (Oct. 28th) First Data 500 at Martinsville. Logano and Martin Truex Jr. battled back and forth during the final laps with Logano coming out with the victory. Logano and Truex were headed toward the checkered flag side-by-side but as the two made contact, Truex almost lost control of his car before recollecting it but by then it was too late and Logano had taken the checkers.

Denny Hamlin threatened to steal the victory but was able to pass Truex Jr. coming to the line earning a second place finish. Truex Jr. finished the race in third while Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top-five.

The top-five finishers led 499 of 500 laps with Clint Bowyer (21st) the only driver to lead a lap during Sunday's race that didn't finish inside the top-five. Bowyer was the worst finishing playoff driver during Sunday's race while Aric Almirola (11th), Kevin Harvick (10th), and Chase Elliott (4th) were the worst of the playoff drivers.

Results from Martinsville

1. Joey Logano
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Kyle Busch
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Kurt Busch
7. Chase Elliott
8. Ryan Newman
9. Daniel Suarez
10. Kevin Harvick
11. Aric Almirola
12. Jimmie Johnson
13. Chris Buescher
14. AJ Allmendinger
15. Ty Dillon
16. Jamie McMurray
17. Alex Bowman
18. David Ragan
19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
20. Ryan Blaney
21. Clint Bowyer
22. Paul Menard
23. Matt Kenseth
24. Cole Whitt
25. Michael McDowell
26. Erik Jones
27. DJ Kennington
28. Regan Smith
29. Ross Chastain
30. Austin Dillon
31. JJ Yeley
32. Landon Cassill
33. Jeb Burton
34. Darrell Wallace Jr.
35. Joey Gase
36. Matt DiBenedetto
37. Kyle Larson
38. Timmy Hill
39. William Byron
40. Hermie Sadler

As the series heads to the Texas Motor Speedway, Logano is the only driver to have his ticket punched and the weight lifted off his shoulders. Currently, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and Kevin Harvick would join Logano at Homestead. Kurt Busch (-25) sits fifth, Chase Elliott (-31) sixth, Clint Bowyer (-42) seventh, and Aric Almirola (-50) rounds out the eight.

Photo Credit: Christian Koelle/CCK Photography