Here’s what the drivers had to say after Sunday’s playoff race at Martinsville Speedway:

Ryan Blaney — Winner: “I’m exhausted. It’s hard. Over the last 70 or so laps I tried to save my rear as best I could, because that’s where I started to struggle later in the races. I hated having to put the bumper on some guys, but I had to do it. It was good to pass (Chase Elliott) clear. I bumped a few guys that I wish I didn’t have to, but I had to go, so it was a long night. I appreciate everyone for improving all night. Thank God. I think this is the most tired I’ve felt after a race in a long time. … Part of me was nervous because when I got to (Brad Keselowski) earlier, like the race or two before, I lost so much rear traction and I couldn’t drive under him. I felt like my rear ends were gripping a little bit better on the last run, and it started to look like (Kyle Larson) and (Elliott) were starting to struggle coming out of the turn and it This is where I was able to do it. We definitely improved the car and it allowed me to go up the track and turn under it where I couldn’t really do it before. Kudos to (crew chief) Jonathan (Hassler) for putting it together.

“Yes, lots of momentum. It’s nice to have two Penske cars on board. It’s good to join (Joey Logano) and have a good chance 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 good. It’s fun to race with them and share victories and championships. It’s very strong right now in our organization and I hope it continues.

Chase Elliott – Second: “It was a great call. That put us in the mix and we had an opportunity. I just made a few mistakes halfway through the race and our car was damaged. I think it hurts a little. Little things started to pile up. I pushed really hard to try to get to (Kyle Larson). I just felt like Ryan (Blaney) had been really good. I was afraid to give him the opportunity to go to No. 5 first. I just really wanted to try and take the lead. And then you never know, maybe a warning is issued or something. It just didn’t work for us. We will go to Phoenix (Raceway) and try to have a good weekend.
Yeah, I don’t know what was going on there (at the finish), to be honest. All I know is that we are one place short and that’s a shame.

Kyle Larson – Third: “I am proud of the effort of this No. 5 Chevrolet team. This whole round of 16 was really a fight. From the first stage in Las Vegas (Motor Speedway), it’s a fight. I feel like we made the right choice to give ourselves the best opportunity. I’m proud of my team, the car, the pit crew, everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. We just didn’t have enough. I actually thought that when Chase (Elliott) got second, I thought he was going to come up to me and pass me easily. I was surprised I lasted this long, so that gave me hope. But then we crashed in the last 30 laps or so.

Austin Cindric – Fourth: “We started last. We had to go to the back to start the third stage and we had a very fast race car. It was a good strategy from (crew chief) Brian (Wilson), putting it in my hands at the end with old tires. Honestly, after a few more laps we probably would have finished third, so I’m proud of everyone’s effort. The whole team came together this weekend and, more importantly, getting Ryan into Championship 4. We have a 50% chance of Team Penske winning next week, so that’s awesome. It’s well deserved by everyone on the team and after my last three weeks it feels good, but we definitely had to work for it today.

William Byron — Sixth: “Yeah, I’ve never been part of anything like this, so I don’t really know how to feel. I hate it for everyone involved, but I’m happy for this No. 24 Chevrolet team. I’m glad we’re moving on, and we’re going to move on and focus on Phoenix. I’ll think about this one here in Martinsville with my team. We had a lot of adversity during the second half of the race. Yeah, I mean, we know the rules, right? So that’s how it is. I wouldn’t say I’m happy, but I’m excited to race for a championship, for sure.