Winners and losers of the NASCAR race at the estate after Tyler Reddick’s victory

NASCAR’s annual trip to Homestead was a thriller.

Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway was exciting and one of the best races in NASCAR Cup Series playoff history, which in its current form dates back to the 2014 season.

Tyler Reddick made a last-lap pass to Ryan Blaney, winning the race and securing a spot in the Championship 4 for the first time in his career. There was a late-race strategy choice that went wrong, but was corrected by a late spin and all sorts of playoff drama.

With one race remaining until the end of Stage 8, there are two Championship 4 spots up for grabs, for which six riders are eligible. The three drivers will likely need a win at Martinsville next week to qualify for Championship 4.

Here are the winners and losers of the Homestead NASCAR playoff races.

PLAYOFF PHOTOS: NASCAR Playoff Photo: Cup Series Points Standings After Homestead

HOW IT HAPPENED: Recap: Tyler Reddick makes last-lap pass to win NASCAR Cup Series at Homestead, advances to playoffs

Winners

Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell led three laps but survived the chaotic race to finish fourth. Bell kept his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on the positive side of the cut line heading into Martinsville. Bell has a history of winning at Martinsville and qualifying for Championship 4. However, this event cannot be spoiled by a wall ride from Ross Chastain.

William Byron

William Byron finished sixth and is above the cut line heading into the final race of the eighth round at Martinsville. Byron won the spring short track race and is looking to return to Championship 4 for the second year in a row.

Tyler Reddick

Reddick rolled over last week in Las Vegas. It looked like he had lost his temper at Homestead back then. He ran long in the final stretch of the race and pitted with 15 laps remaining. He managed to return to the leading lap. As Kyle Larson spun for the final caution, the leaders called for new tires. Reddick stayed back and took the lead. Reddick then made a bold move in the final turn to pass Ryan Blaney to take the win.

Losers

Ryan Blaney

So close for Blaney, who finished second. Needing the win, Blaney led 47 laps of the race and led out of Turn 2 on the final lap. However, Reddick drove his car hard into turn three and passed Blaney on the outside to steal the victory and a playoff spot on the final lap of the race.

Denny Hamlin

Hamlin finished third but led the race with three laps to go. He led 21 laps, won stage two and battled to the front for most of the race. Hamlin is 18 points below the cut line heading to Martinsville, one of his best and favorite tracks. He could get into Championship 4 on points, but a win secures his place in the championship.

Kyle Larson

Larson put on a wild ride at Homestead. Larson blew a tire on the first stage, sending his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet into the wall and dropping him to 34th place. Larson was back in second place before an incident where he had to avoid Austin Dillon, hit Ryan Blaney and spun exiting turn four. Larson finished 13th and is below the cut line with one race remaining in the eighth round.

Follow sportswriter Austin Chastain on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ChastainAJ or contact him at [email protected].