By John Schutt
NASCAR Monster Energy series, Federated Auto Parts 400, Richmond International Speedway, Richmond, Va., Saturday Sept. 21.
Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick, each in a Ford, started on the pole and looked to be the fastest. But, early on the entire Joe Gibbs racing team took over and won with Martin Truex, Jr. and his three Gibbs teammates. In second place was Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin was in third, Eric Jones in fourth, and Brad Keselowski in fifth.
Truex, Jr. increased his Monster point lead to a margin of 21. He has 2, 141 points and Harvick is at 2,120.
The first stage looked good for Keselowski and he led many laps, but Truex, Jr. passed him and won the first stage.
Gibbs team driver, Kyle Busch, won stage two.
After being spun out by Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Truex, Jr. fought back through the field and passed Kyle Busch near the end of the race to take back to back victories in the playoffs.
NASCAR Monster Energy series, South Point Casino 400, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nev., Sunday, Sept. 15.
Truex, Jr. won the first race of the playoffs and was followed by Harvick in second, Keselowski in third, Chase Elliott in fourth, and Ryan Blaney in fifth.
Daniel Suarze and Clint Bowyer started on pole. On lap five Kyle Busch’s car got loose and made contact with the wall, spun out, lost a tire, and was down a lap. Joey Logano moved up 19 positions from the start to take stage one.
With 20 laps to go Truex, Jr. took the lead away from Harvick.
At 10 laps to go Kyle Busch was challenging for the lead and ran into the back of a slower car and crunched the front of his car and an opportunity at a victory. Truex, Jr. easily won.
• The upcoming weekend will be the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The term Roval is Road course and Oval combined. Last year it was considered by many as the most exciting race of the year!