Martin Truex Jr dominates at Darlington for this third victory this year in the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 on Sunday afternoon.
The NASCAR Cup Series schedule is introducing a second race at Darlington Raceway this year. The first race at ‘The Lady in Black’ was last Sunday for the Goodyear 400. This event also includes the throwback weekend, where drivers pay tribute to those of the past by sporting symbolic paint schemes from legends throughout the years. In recent years the event is during Labor Day weekend in September. This year the throwback weekend is returning to the more traditional Mother’s Day weekend. Whatever the date, the tribute is always a fun way of honoring NASCAR history.
Keselowski Starts the First Stage from the Pole
Brad Keselowski held the pole once again to control the start of the race. Keselowski was only able to hold on to the lead for a short period of time before Kevin Harvick took over. Harvick made the pass for the lead on lap five.
Harvick gave up the lead to Kyle Busch on lap 14. However, eight short laps later, Kyle Busch blew a tire and spun out. This brought out the caution on lap 22.
Martin Truex Jr. cycled to the front during the caution break. As the race moved into a long green-flag run, Truex Jr. became stronger. Martin Truex Jr. led 61 laps and brought home the victory in the first stage.
The Second Stage Begins with Two Cautions
There were two quick cautions within the first ten laps of the second stage. The first caution to start the segment involved Quin Houff and Anthony Alfredo. The clash collected Cole Custer as well.
Immediately coming off the following restart, Kurt Busch loses his grip coming out of the fourth turn. He made a nose-first dive into the inside wall, ending his day.
Martin Truex Jr. continued to lead coming off the early cautions. Once more, the race settled down and moved into another long green-flag run. Martin Truex Jr. led every lap to win the stage by more than 14-seconds.
Martin Truex Jr Dominates at Darlington
The final stage kicked off with Martin Truex Jr. remaining in the top spot. He had a heated battle with Kyle Larson early in the segment. After Larson’s pace was slowed by lapped traffic, Truex Jr was able to freely lead the rest of the way.
The field cycled through green-flag stops twice during the last stage with Martin Truex Jr. cycling back into the lead both times.
It was Martin Truex Jr.’s day, and he continued to roll with the momentum to win The Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway.
Martin Truex Jr Dominating in First Half of the Regular Season
Martin Truex Jr. is beginning to emerge as the guy to beat in the 2021 season. This win gives him his third checkered flag of the season and his fifth top-five finish in 12 races. Truex Jr.’s average finish on the year is tenth, and if his superspeedway finishes are removed, it becomes an average finish of fifth. Martin Truex Jr. will surely keep this momentum rolling as the schedule stays in his favor through the better part of the summer.