By John Schutt –
NASCAR Monster Energy series, Bojangles Southern 500, Darlington Raceway, Darlington, S.C., Sunday, Sept. 2.
With 20 laps to the end Brad Keselowki’s crew did an excellent pit stop that got him out of the pits first. Keselowki was unchallenged and went on to win his first Monster race of the season. Finishing in second place was Joey Logano. Kyle Larson was in third, Kevin Harvick in fourth, and Chase Elliot in fifth.
Denny Hamlin started on pole position with Larson on the outside. Larson won the first two segments and led 475 miles of the 500-mile race.
Jeffrey Earnhardt and Clint Bowyer were involved in an incident that caused a caution which allowed Brad Keselowski to jump into first place.
Keselowski led the last 19 laps of this race and went on to win. Keselowski won the Xfinity race at the same track the previous night.
NASCAR Xfinity series, Johnsonville 180, Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis., Saturday, Aug. 25.
Matt Tifft won the Trans Am race and later on the same day, he won the pole position for the Xfinity Johnsonville 180 race. With three laps to go in the Xfinity race, James Davidson (from Australia) and Justin Marts collided and spun out. Justin Allgaier took a comfortable lead, and the victory, and Tifft passed Davidson and Marts to take second place. Daniel Hemrick took third place, James Davidson fourth, and Chris Bell was in fifth place.
It was Illinois driver Allgaier’s fourth Xfinity victory this year.
NASCAR Monster Energy series, Bass Pro Shop NRA Night Race, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn. Saturday, Aug. 18.
Kurt Busch won the final stage to win his first race this year. Following in second place was Larson, Chase Elliot in third, Joey Logano fourth, and Eric Jones fifth.
Larson won the pole and Ryan Blaney won the first segment. Logano won second stage.
It was Kurt Busch’s sixth career victory at this famous short track.