By John Schutt
NASCAR Cup Series, Fan Shield 500, Phoenix Raceway, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunday, March 8.
The 500-kilometer race was led by pole-winner Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick. Eventual race-winner was the Penski Ford, driven by Joe Logano in an overtime finish! Following Logano were Harvick in second place, Kyle Busch in third place, Kyle Larson in fourth, and Clint Bowyer in fifth.
Martin Truex, Jr. had to start from the rear because of an engine change. An incident with Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney late in the first stage put Hamlin out and Keselowski was in for repairs. Stage one was won by Harvick over Elliott.
In stage two Keselowski had to start in the rear because of repair issues. Keselowski’s teammate, Logano, had an uncontrolled tire penalty which put his car in the back of the field. However, Keselowski came through the field to win stage two.
Stage three was led by Truex, Jr. over rookie Tyler Reddick. Reddick stayed up font until a tire went down, which put his car in the wall. With 27 laps to go Truex, Jr. hit the wall and Keselowski was back in the lead.
After a restart with caution, the vehicles were racing five wide until Ricky Stenhouse and John H. Nemechek collided, which set up a Green and White Checker finish. Logano sped ahead of Harvick and held the lead for the victory.
NASCAR Cup Series, Auto Club 400, Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, Calif., Sunday, March 1.
Bowyer had the fastest car and started on the pole.
Alex Bowman won his second Cup race eight seconds ahead of Kyle Busch, followed by Kurt Busch in third place, Elliott in fourth, and Keselowski in fifth.
In the first stage Hamlin hit the No. 42 car of Larson, and Larson went up into the wall.
Bowman was first out of the pits and went on to win the first stage.
In the second stage, Ryan Blaney led 50 laps and won the second stage.
In the third stage, Hamlin clipped the wall which put him out of contention. It looked as if Blaney in the No. 12 Ford would have the victory over Bowman, but with three laps to go, Blaney’s car had a shredded rear tire and had to go into the pits.
Bowman’s first Cup victory was at Chicagoland Speedway last year.
NASCAR Cup Series, Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas 400, Sunday, Feb. 23.
Blaney had the pole position. Logano stayed out on old tires and won his first race of the season. Following Logano was Matt DiBenedetto in second place, Stenhouse, Jr. in third, Austin Dillon in fourth, and Jimmie Johnson in fifth.
Stages one and stage two were won by Elliott. In the third stage Elliott had a tire blowout and clipped the wall which took his car out of contention.