Most memorable playoff races in Martinsville Speedway history

2018: A "war" breaks out between Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr.

The final 10 laps of the 2018 First Data 500 can be described as nothing less than racing cinema. Over the final 10 laps, defending champion Martin Truex Jr. and Joey Logano were deadlocked as they fought for the win. On the final lap of the race, Logano roughed up Truex Jr. in the final corner, causing the No. 78 car to fishtail across the finish line. Logano won the race, advanced to the Championship Four and ultimately ended up getting the last lap. Despite comments by Truex Jr. post-race that Logano "wouldn't win the war," that's exactly what Logano did. Truex Jr. was passed by Logano at Homestead-Miami three weeks later in the championship race, which saw Logano earn his first title when everyone had previously counted him out.

2022: The "Hail Melon"

Our apologies to race winner Christopher Bell — who won in walk-off fashion to secure his spot in the Championship Four — but the reason everyone remembers the 2022 Xfinity 500 is solely for Ross Chastain's once-in-a-lifetime move that catapulted him to the Championship Four. On the final lap, Chastain kept his foot flat to the floor entering turn three, riding the wall through the corner at blistering speed. When the checkered flag flew, Chastain barely edged Denny Hamlin — his rival throughout the 2022 season — for the final transfer spot before finishing second in the championship to Joey Logano.

2015: A fitting final win

Martinsville was always one of Jeff Gordon's best racetracks throughout his NASCAR career. The four-time champ won nine races at "The Paperclip," but perhaps none were more important than his win in the fall of 2015. In a race that saw Matt Kenseth get revenge on Logano for previous playoff grievances, Gordon completed the chaotic day by winning the 93rd and final race of his illustrious career, locking himself into the Championship Four in a moment no NASCAR fan will soon forget.