By John Schutt –
Nascar Monster Energy O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, at Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, April 8.
It was a cold 50°F day in Texas when Kyle Busch held off Kevin Harvick for his first victory of the year. Following Harvick for third place was Jamie McMurray, Eric Jones in fourth, Ryan Blaney fifth, and Joey Logano in sixth.
Kurt Busch won the pole position, but Harvick had the car to beat when he took an early lead and won the first stage of this race by 11 seconds. Martin Truex, Jr.’s car hit the wall at the end of the stage which ended the stage under caution.
During the second stage Kyle Larson lost his right front tire and crashed into the wall and was out of the race. The second stage was won by Kyle Busch, who led the most laps of the race.
During the third stage the race was red-flagged after a wreck which involved seven cars when Denny Hamlin’s Toyota bobbled when trying to pass Aric Almirola, and both cars hit were put into a spin. Notables taken out by that incident were Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson.
Eric Jones and Jamie McMurry led some laps towards the end of the race until Kyle Busch edged Kevin Harvick for the victory.
Nascar Monster Energy STP 500, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, Va., Sunday, March 26.
This race was delayed until Monday because of snow Sunday.
When the snow cleared, Clint Bowyer won his first race in his last 190 starts. In second place was Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney in third, Truex, Jr. in fourth, and Harvick in fifth place.
Truex, Jr. won the pole, but Denny Hamlin won the first stage.
At the end of stage two Ryan Blaney took the victory, with no cautions up to this point!
Lap 384 Austin Dillon collided into the back of Jamie McMurray who crashed into the wall.
The first stage winner Hamlin had overheat problems and finished in 12th place.
