By John Schutt
NASCAR Cup Series, AmBetter 400 Atlanta Ga. February 25.
In a three-wide photo finish, Daniel Suarez was ahead of Ryan Blaney, Kyle Bush was in third, Austin Cendric fourth, and Bubba Wallace fifth.
Michael McDowell and Joe Logano were on the pole, however, Logano had to start in the rear due to a pass-through penalty because of a modified driver glove. No modifications are allowed to approved safety equipment.
There was an incident on lap two of the first stage when Austin Dillion and Harrison Burton collided, along with 10 other cars which went spinning out of control.
A third caution happened when Kyle Busch hit Denny Hamlin, which cased him to spin into the infield.
The first stage was won by McDowell over Blaney.
The second stage was won by Cendric who got head of Logano who was leading, but hit the wall on last lap.
With 30 laps to go in the race three cars collided and were wrecked.
The last caution was with 11 laps to go when Josh Berry, Chase Elliott, Dillion, and a few other caused the final caution.
This race had a record number of cars in wrecks for this track!
NASCAR Xfinity Series, Raptor King of Tough 250, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Atlanta Ga., Saturday, Feb. 24.
The pole was set by star-rookie Jesse Love. who won Stages 1 and 2, however, he ran of out gas in Stage 3 and Austin Hill took the win. Following in second was Chandler Smith, Shane Van Gisbergen was third, Sheldon Creed fourth, and Parker Retzlaff fifth.
Love was a champion from Arca Series Bill Venturini Team. Venturini started from a Std Gas Station on South Side of Chicago more than 40 years ago.
NASCAR Cup Series, Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla., Monday, Feb. 19.
William Byron won this year’s Daytona 500 moments after the fifth caution of the race. Alex Bownman finished in second, Chris Bell in third, Cory Lajoy fourth, and Bubba Wallace was fifth.
Pole was set for his first time at Daytona by Logano, ahead of McDowell. At lap five during the first stage, there was a wreck involving Harrison Burton, John Hunter Nemacheck, Jim Johnson, and Brad Keselowski, who were sent back to the pits.
The first stage was won by Elliot ahead of Kyle Larson.
Stage two was won by Ryan Blaney ahead of Austin Cebdric.
In stage three with nine laps to go, Bowman hit Keselowski and the big crash occurred and the middle of the pack went scrambling and spinning. Byron got to the lead with two laps to go and another wreck ended the race under caution with Byron taking the victory teammate.
Sad news that NASCAR great, Cale Yarbourough, died at age of 83 December 31, 2023. May he rest in piece!