By John Schutt
NASCAR Cup Series, The Brickyard 400, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, Ind., Sunday, July 21.
The first stage was won by Denny Hamlin ahead of Kyle Larson. But Kyle Larson, through two overtime restarts, pulled off an exciting win at the very end! In second was Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney in third, Chase Elliott in fourth, and Todd Gillard in fifth.
Stage 2 was led by John Hunter Nemecheck and then Bubba Wallace for a while.
Martin Truex, Jr. and Kyle Larson made contact to allow Denny Hamlin to get back in the lead.
On Lap 110 during a restart Jimmie Johnson and Joey Logano collided into each other and hit the wall. Truex Jr. spun into the wall near end of stage two.
On lap 140, Keselowski was in the lead ahead of Blaney with Hamlin in fourth and Kyle Larson in fifth.
Kyle Busch, running in sixth, spun out after contact with Hamlin and hit the outside wall with just three laps to go.
On the first restart there was a big wreck with Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Alex Bowman.
On the second green white checker, Kyle Larson got to the lead and took the win.
A note: The race, when it started 20 some years ago, was one of the most popular in the Cup series. One would have to enter a lottery to purchase a ticket. Today the race stands looked only half full on he TV screen! I don’t know why!
NASCAR Cup Series, The Great American Getaway 400, Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pa., Sunday, July 14.
This race was won by Roger Penski driver, Ryan Blaney. In second place was Hamlin, Bowman in third, William Byron in fourth, and Joe Logano in fifth.
The pole position was obtained by Ty Gibbs.
The first stage was won by Truex, Jr. and the second stage was won by Hamlin.
The third stage started with Chris Buescher in the lead.
Todd Gilland’s brake rotor exploded late in stage three.
Kyle Busch and Cory Lajoy took each other out near end of the race.
Ryan Blaney crossed the line for the victory.
NASCAR Cup Series, Grant Park 165, Downtown Chicago, Ill., Sunday, July 7.
Another rain-delay and rained- soaked event for the drivers.
Bowman out-smarted Joey Hand, a ringer for this event, and pulled off the win. Following in second was Tyler Reddick, Gibbs in third, Hand in fourth, and Michael McDowell in fifth.
The pole winner was Kyle Larson, another racer favored to win.
Last year’s winner, Shane Van Gisbergen, won the first stage.
Briscol hit Van Gisbergen on lap 26, which caused a red flag, due to the wreckage. With the delay for the clean up of Van Gisbergen, there was another rain delay.
On Lap 34 Larson hit the tire barrier at almost full speed and his car was out of the race.
Gibbs and Bell led after another rain delay and Hamlin spun out.
Race officials had to place a time limit at 8:20 p.m..
Bowman passed Hand at the end of the race to take the win.