By John Schutt
NASCAR Cup Series, YellaWood 500, Talladega Superspeedway, Taladaga, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 2.
Chase Elliott won his fifth race of the season followed by Ryan Blaney in second place. Following was Michael McDowell in third, Ross Chastain in fourth, and Denny Hamlin in fifth.
Hamlin and Chastain controlled the first stage with Blaney winning over Hamlin. The biggest wreck of the race was when William Byron, Joe Logano, and five others collided in the middle of the first stage.
The second stage was won by eventual overall winner, Elliott
In the third stage with seven laps to go, a car was dead at end of pitroad which caused a late race caution. On the final restart Blaney and Eric Jones were in front with Elliott in fourth. Elliott side drafted into an open spot on the outside of Blaney on last lap. In the last lap Blaney and Elliott exchanged the lead multiple times until Elliott was ahead and won by a fender!
NASCAR Cup Series, AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 25.
It was a very hot day when Brad Keselowski won the pole and Tyler Reddick got his third victory of the season. Following were Logano in second place, Justin Haley in third, Blaney in fourth, and Chase Briscoe in fifth. Kyle Larson won the first stage.
In the second stage Cody Ware lost control of his car and drove through the grass and hit the wall hard. He was okay. Elliott had a right rear tire failure and crashed with 33 laps to go in the second stage. Blaney was the second-stage winner.
Then there was a long rain delay. The victory went to Reddick
NASCAR Cup Series, Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn. Saturday, Sept. 17.
Pole winner was Aric Almirola. Chris Buescher won his second cup race! Following in second place was Elliott, Byron in third, Chris Bell in fourth, and Larson in fifth.
The first stage winner was Keselowski, a highlight this season for him.
In the second stage, Bubba Wallace left the race due to mechanical problems. Blaney was out with 61 laps remaining in the second stage. There were many power steering problems with Toyotas and some Chevys.
In the third stage, Kyle Busch’s car engine blew out. A few laps later there was a major accident involving Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez, Reddick. Keselowski took lead from Larson with 145 laps to go.
At 80 laps to go Bell took the lead. At lap 27, Logano was out with front- tire failure. Buescher took his second cup trophy in his short career.
NASCAR Cup Series, Hollywood Casino 400, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Sept. 11.
Dillon won the pole position. Wallace won his second cup race followed by Hamlin in second place, Bell in third, Alex Bowman in fourth, Martin Truex, Jr. in fifth.
Harvick was out early with mechanical problems. Tyler Reddick hit the wall and broke the lower control arm caused by a flat tire.
First stage winner was Bell.
In the second stage, Kyle Busch spun out in turn four and hit the wall. Winner of second stage was Alex Bowman.
Third stage and race winner, was Wallace who led 58 laps!