By John Schutt –
NASCAR Monster Energy Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Arlington, Texas, Sunday, March 31.
Jimmie Johnson won the pole position, Kyle Busch led the most laps, but Denny Hamlin won the race and the coveted six-shooters. Following in second place was Clint Bowyer, Daniel Suarez in third, Erik Jones in fourth, and Johnson in fifth.
Johnson led the first 59 laps of the race until Joey Logano passed him to the first finish line to win the first stage.
Chase Elliot and Johnson were up in the top five until Elliot spun out and a caution was brought out.
Hamlin’s Toyota won the second stage over the Ford of Ryan Blaney.
In stage three, Kyle Busch was in the lead with 50 laps to go until he brushed the wall. From that point on Kyle Busch’s car was loose and he lost ground to allow Eric Jones and Hamlin to pass him.
During late pit stops Hamlin got out first and Bowyer in a Ford was out second, which was how they finished.
Hamlin overcame two pit violations to win the race!
• NASCAR Monster Energy Series, STP 500, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, Va. Sunday, March 26.
This site is NASCAR’s only one-half mile track, which makes this 500-lap race only 250 miles. Brad Keselowski led 446 laps of the race for the victory. Following Keselowski was Elliot in second, Kyle Busch in third, Blaney in fourth, and Hamlin in fifth.
There were two Fords on the pole position, Logano and Aric Almirola, and they led side by side for just five laps. Logano’s teammate, Keselowski performed a soft bump-and-run and passed Logano for the lead. Keselowski stayed in the front and won all three stages.
Near the end of the third stage, pit action from a caution allowed Kyle Busch out in the second position. Elliot and Kyle Busch raced each other for second place with Elliot with victor.
It was Keselowski’s 29th career victory and his second grandfather clock trophy.