By John Schutt
NASCAR Cup Series, Toyota / Save Mart 350, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, Calif., Sunday, June 12.
Daniel Suarez made history when he won his first NASCAR Cup race and was the first Mexican-born driver to win a Cup Series race. Following in second place was Chris Buescher, Mike McDowell in third, Kevin Harvick in fourth, and Austin Cindric in fifth.
The pole winner was Kyle Larson and no one could catch him when he won the first stage ahead of Joe Logano. Logano won the second stage over Chris Beucher.
In the last stage Suarez took the lead and stayed there to the finish ahead of Buecher.
Suarez Cup win was the first for the new team Trackhouse Racing. His victory was long-overdue in my opinion, because of his great racing in Xfinity series at Road America.
NASCAR Cup Series, Enjoy Illinois 300, World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, Ill., Sunday, June 5.
The World Wide Technology Raceway, known as Gateway, is a new track for NASCAR Cup racing and is only 1.25 miles long. The race was won in overtime by Logano over Kyle Busch. Following in third was Kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney in fourth, and Aric Almirola in fifth.
Stage 1 was won by Austin Cindric.
During the second stage Ross Chastain hit Denny Hamlin who hit the wall to allow Kurt Busch to win the second stage.
The race went into overtime when Kevin Harvick spun out and a caution was issued. Logano took the checkered flag for his second victory of the season
NASCAR Cup Series, Coca Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord N.C., Sunday, May 30.
In the four-stage, 600-mile race, Denny Hamlin endured pit penalties, wrecks, spun out, and had a last-lap crash, but still won ahead of teammate Kyle Busch. Following in third was Harvick, Chase Briscoe in fourth, and Chris Bell in fifth.
Kyle Busch spun out late in first stage and had to restart in back of lead lap. Denny Hamlin won the first stage.
In the second stage Ryan Blaney spun out which caused a wreck with 12 cars. Suarez won stage two.
Ross Chastain won stage three over Chase Briscoe.
In the last stage Chris Buescher’s car flipped and caused a red flag in last lap of the race, seven cars were involved, including Austin Dillon, Cole Custer, Logano, and Kyle Larson. Hamlin got his car in first on the restart and held on to win the race.