By John Schutt
NASCAR Cup Series, EcoPark Automotive Grand Prix, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 27.
The NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) race was held at a newer track and road course in Austin, Texas where Formula 1 cars race.
In a Green White Checker finish, Ross Chastain, took the victory ahead of Alex Bowman. Following in third place was Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott in fourth, and Tyler Reddick in fifth.
Ryan Blaney won pole position, but Daniel Suárez led all of Stage 1 ahead of Blaney. In the second stage Denny Hamlin won, ahead of teammate Kyle Busch.
With 32 laps to go AJ Allmendinger and Chastain were in front when Keven Harvick and Joey Logano spun into the marbles, small rocks. The clean-up on the track caused a Green White Checker finish. There was some car-slamming between Allmendinger, Alex Bowman, and Ross Chastain. But, Chastain moved ahead to win his first NASCAR Cup race!
Xfinity Series, The Pit Boss 250, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, Saturday, March 26.
Allmendinger won in an exciting race followed by Austin Hill in second place, Cole Custer in third, Noah Gragson in fourth, and Sam Mayer in fifth.
The first stage was won by Allmendinger. The second stage was won by Mayer, from Franklin, Wis..
In the third stage all the top cars were in the rear after they had to make pit stops when the second stage was over. Mayer started the third stage behind 25th place and drove to a fifth place finish. Allmindinger took the victory.
NASCAR Cup Series, Folds of Honor 500, Atlanta Super Speedway, Saturday, March 20.
The track had been reworked with 28-degree banking in turns and other repavement tricks to simulate Daytona, except only 1.5 miles long for faster races.
The winner was William Byron in a race that set a record for lead changes at 18. Following in second place was Chastain, Kurt Busch in third, Suárez in fourth, and Corey LaJoie in fifth.
Ryan Blaney won the pole. After Noah Gragson had a wreck on lap 25, Byron won the first stage.
Austin Dillion and Kyle Busch hit the wall together during second stage and Byron won the second stage.
During the third stage, Todd Gilliland and Cody Ware were in a wreck in the inside barrier. There was a big wreck at the finish with Josh Bilicki.
Byron crossed the finish line with Christopher Bell following in second place, however, Bell was below the track line and had to give up second place finish and was placed in 23rd.
NASCAR Cup Series, Ruoff Mortgage 500, Phoenix Raceway, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunday, March 13.
Chase Briscoe won his first Cup race with Chastain following in second place, Tyler Reddick in third, Blaney in fourth, and Kurt Busch in fifth. Blaney won the pole. Stage 1 winner was Byron, ahead of Briscoe. Martin Truex, Jr. won the second stage, but had a tire blow out at lap 93.