(NEXSTAR) — Aric Almirola won the Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway in a victory that allows Cole Custer to defend his NASCAR championship.
However, Almirola is running a part-time schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing, and as such is not playoff eligible. Still, Almirola was excited about securing his victory Saturday night.
"I'm thankful to coach, everybody at Toyota, so many people support this program, it's just unbelievable," Almirola said following his win. "They gave me an amazing race car, and I just went to work and did my job."
The win by Almirola allowed the final two slots in the championship race to be decided on points.
Entering the race in Martinsville, Austin Hill and AJ Allmendinger already locked up spots in the Championship 4 in Phoenix. Thanks to their performance in Saturday's race, both Justin Allgaier and Cole Custer, the defending Xfinity Series champion, also secured slots.
Custer is fired up about his opportunity to defend his title next week in Phoenix.
"At the end of the day, I think we have as good a shot as anybody," Custer said. "I think we bring a lot of speed, a lot in the playoffs so far."
With the Championship 4 set, NASCAR fans are looking ahead to the Xfinity Series Championship Race.
The 200-lap championship kicks off at the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, AZ on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.