The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series ran full throttle Sunday in the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. It has been two weeks since the last race, and it was obvious that these drivers were itching to get at it again. Talladega Superspeedway was the perfect place to race after coming out of the break.
The Ford cars went to battle early, Aric Almirola, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano traded the lead around. On lap 12, Darrel Wallace Jr. spun around after trying to make a move on Ryan Blaney. Wallace spun and hit the outside wall, collecting Michael McDowell. Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick were also caught up in the mix. Coming out of the restart, Aric Almirola passed Joey Logano and Daniel Suarez. Almirola led up until eight laps left in the stage. He and some front runners pit under the green flag late in the stage. Ty Dillon took over the race lead, winning the first stage.
Chase Elliott restarted the second stage in the first place but Alex Bowman passed him right away for the race lead. Joey Logano passed Bowman on lap 17 of the stage, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr quickly passed him on lap 23. With 28 laps left in the stage, the Chevy drivers made green flag pit stops, Ford and Toyota drivers pit a few laps after. The Chevy group cycled back to the lead with Chase Elliott paving the way. Chase Elliott led all the way back to earn the second stage win.
Chase Elliott continued to lead in the final stage of the race. His teammates of Alex Bowman and William Byron kept pushing along to keep them in front. A debris caution came out with 58 laps to go. After everyone came down for servicing, Erik Jones restarted in the lead after he won the race off pit road. He did not have the lead for long. Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano battled their way into the top spot. Both teammates fought each other for it until Logano settled into the lead. With 34 laps left in the race, drivers began to make green flag stops. Fords cycled back into the lead with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. leading the pack. With seven laps left in the race, Chris Buescher spun around on the backstretch. He collected Matt DiBenedetto and Martin Truex Jr. It all came down to a final restart with four laps left. Joey Logano was leading the field, but he could not stop the run that Chase Elliott made heading into turn three. Backed by a push from Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott shot out into the lead with three laps left in the race. On the final lap of the race, the caution flag flew as the drivers ran down the backstretch. Chase Elliott was still the leader and won the race under caution. Chase Elliott wins the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Everyone’s strategy was obvious in Sunday’s race. All the manufacturers stuck together and helped each other out. The Chevy group were the fastest because when they stuck together, they made some ground and pulled away from the main pack. Even when they were in the middle of the pack, once they had an opening to make a run, they made one. Alex Bowman gave Chase Elliott a big push down the backstretch allowing Elliott to shoot out past Logano for the race lead.
It was a very exciting race at the largest track on the NASCAR schedule. There was not a lot of cautions throughout the event. This did not matter because the racing was very exciting. Everyone was aggressive, jostling for position. There should have been more wrecks than what there was. That is what makes it exciting. These guys are so good that they can make aggressive moves on one another, and still not cause a giant wreck. Of course, there were two big wrecks late in the race, but that comes with the track. Sunday’s race was special to watch.
Next week’s race is at Dover International Speedway for the Gander RV 400. This race is another must-watch event. The concrete surfaced track will give drivers some issues. The NASCAR Cup Series is starting to get competitive, and the All-Star break is right around the corner. Many drivers are still trying to end their slump and these next few races can really shake up the list.