HAMPTON, Ga. — House-state favourite Chase Elliott handed Brad Keselowski on the ultimate lap and received the crash-filled NASCAR Cup Sequence at Atlanta on Saturday evening for his twentieth profession victory.
Elliott, the favored driver from Dawsonville, Georgia, earned a spot within the NASCAR playoffs along with his first victory since April 2024 at Texas. It was his first win in Atlanta since 2022.
“I’ve by no means in my complete life, that is unbelievable,” Elliott stated. “That is one thing I am going to keep in mind the remainder of my life.”
The race’s second crash early in Stage 2 took out lots of the sport’s greatest names and left others with broken vehicles. Pole-winner Joey Logano, who led the primary 36 laps earlier than mild rain compelled the primary warning, was among the many many drivers caught up within the massive crash.
Amongst others knocked out of the race: William Byron, Austin Cindric, Ross Chastain, Josh Berry, Corey LaJoie and Daniel Suarez.
“It wrecked the entire subject,” Logano stated. “I nonetheless do not know precisely the way it began … but it surely was whole chaos. Automobiles had been sideways and on the brakes. I bought hit from each nook potential.”
Added Denny Hamlin, who suffered injury to his Toyota within the crash: “Some zigged. Some zagged. Most crashed.”
The Atlanta race at EchoPark Speedway, previously referred to as Atlanta Motor Speedway, was the debut of the 32-driver In-Season Problem, a five-race, bracket-style match.
The parade of extremely regarded drivers to be knocked out so early within the race confirmed the perils of making an attempt to select NASCAR winners on a March Insanity-style bracket sheet. The highest two seeds had been among the many early casualties.
Hamlin, the No. 1 seed within the match, completed thirty first and misplaced to Ty Dillon, who completed eighth.
Chase Briscoe, who held off Hamlin for his first win for Joe Gibbs Racing final week at Pocono Raceway, was the No. 2 seed earlier than being knocked out in a crash and dropping to Noah Gragson within the match.
A $1 million prize awaits the winner as a part of a brand new media rights deal that features TNT.
Elliott and Keselowski had been on the entrance row when a warning with 33 laps to go compelled a choice on whether or not to pit for recent tires. Each stayed on the monitor and Elliott light following the restart till making his decisive cost on the very finish.
Bracket busters
Ryan Blaney, the race favourite in keeping with BetMGM Sportsbook, was knocked out on a wreck late within the first stage. Christopher Bell hit the wall, triggering the crash that ended the stage with Cindric within the lead.
Cindric was concerned within the larger crash early in Stage 2. Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace had been amongst others concerned within the crash.
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Tyler Reddick beat Elliott to the end line by .001 seconds to win Stage 2 in a battle between drivers searching for each their first stage win and total win of the season.
Climate woes
Lightning and rain delayed qualifying Friday and the Xfinity race received by Nick Sanchez late Friday evening. Extra lightning and rain threatened Saturday evening’s race. Followers had been inspired to depart the stands about 90 minutes earlier than the race on account of extreme climate within the space however had been allowed to return as pre-race had been performed as deliberate.
Up subsequent
The Cup Sequence strikes to Chicago for the Chicago Road Race on Sunday, July 6.
