2018 First Data 500

The 2018 First Data 500 was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on October 28, 2018, at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia. Contested over 500 laps on the .526 mile (.847 km) short track (extended from 500 laps), it was the 33rd race of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, seventh race of the Playoffs, and first race of the Round of 8.

Background
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, in Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At 0.526 mi in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series. The track is also one of the first paved oval tracks in NASCAR, being built in 1947 by H. Clay Earles. It is also the only race track that has been on the NASCAR circuit from its beginning in 1948. Along with this, Martinsville is the only NASCAR oval track on the entire NASCAR track circuit to have asphalt surfaces on the straightaways, then concrete to cover the turns.

First practice
Brad Keselowski was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 19.784 seconds and a speed of 95.714 mph.

Final practice
Ryan Newman was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 19.785 seconds and a speed of 95.709 mph.

Qualifying
Kyle Busch scored the pole for the race with a time of 19.673 and a speed of 96.254 mph.

Stage Results
Stage 1 Laps: 130

Stage 2 Laps: 130

Final Stage Results
Stage 3 Laps: 240

Race statistics

 * Lead changes: 6 among different drivers
 * Cautions/Laps: 8 for 68
 * Red flags: 0
 * Time of race: 3 hours, 29 minutes and 32 seconds
 * Average speed: 75.310 mph

Television
NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, 1997 race winner Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte and 2014 race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. had the call in the booth for the race. Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast reported from pit lane during the race.

Radio
MRN covered the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

Standings after the race

 * Manufacturers' Championship standings
 * Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.