Ryan Blaney earned a chance to defend his Cup Series championship with a victory Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, where a controversial finish forced NASCAR to decide if Christopher Bell or William Byron took the final spot in the winner-take-all season finale.

The ending was marred by NASCAR’s lengthy review of Bell potentially committing a safety violation with his last-lap pass of Byron. Bell hit the wall and rode a portion of it for momentum — the same thing Ross Chastain did two years ago in a move that has since been banned by NASCAR.

Bell’s pass of Byron left the two tied in points for the final spot in next week’s title-decider at Phoenix Raceway. After an awkwardly long delay, Bell’s move was deemed illegal and Byron was given the final spot.

“I understand that the rule is made to prevent people from riding the wall, but my move was completely different from what Ross did,” said Bell, who was denied a third consecutive trip to the championship race.

The ruling saved the playoffs for Hendrick Motorsports, which put three drivers in the round of eight vying for four spots in the championship. Had NASCAR not ruled Bell’s move illegal, not a single Hendrick car would be racing for the Cup Series title.

Blaney, meanwhile, passed Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go to win at the Virginia track for a second consecutive year and take a spot in the championship race next week at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney will race Penske teammate Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Byron.

The title goes to the highest-finishing driver next Sunday.

“To have another shot at the championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to go back-to-back next week. I’ve got nothing left. Oh my God, I’m tired.”

Blaney last week lost an automatic berth into the finale when Reddick passed him in the final turn at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The victory gives team owner Roger Penske two chances to win a third title this year: Penske teams won the sports car championships in both IMSA and on Saturday the World Endurance Championship.

Blaney’s win was the 100th for Team Penske since it partnered with Ford. Logano won the title in 2022, Blaney won in 2023 and now Penske has a shot at three consecutive Cup titles.

“A lot of momentum. It’s nice to have two Penske cars in,” Blaney said. “It’s nice to join (Logano) and have a decent shot to bring Roger another title, a third title in a row, so these guys are the best at what they do and it’s been so much fun to get to run with them and share wins and championships.”

As Blaney celebrated, Bell and Byron stood silently at their cars awaiting a NASCAR ruling. The pass of Byron at the end left the two tied in points for the final spot in the championship race and NASCAR had to rule if Bell had done something illegal.

Both drivers stood silently outside their cars waiting for a decision.

“This is weird,” Bell said.

Added Byron: “There’s a rule against it. I don’t see how they can call it any different.”

Bell finished 22nd after an early spin in the race. He had a large enough point cushion that left him tied with Byron for the final spot in the championship field.