Alex Bowman stuns with his third win in the NASCAR Cup Series Pocono Organics 325 at Pocono Raceway on Saturday afternoon.
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Poconos for a double race weekend at Pocono Raceway. The Tricky Triangle lives up to that name by giving drivers three extremely tough turns to navigate throughout the day. No turn is the same, but every turn is filled with action-packed racing.
A Couple of Cautions in the First Stage
Kyle Larson brought the field to the green flag and led the pack coming to lap nine. A debris caution was called, bringing the field back together.
William Byron cycled into the lead for the restart. However, Cole Custer was spun into the wall by Brad Keselowski, bringing the field to another caution and restart.
Kyle Busch edged William Byron to take the lead. Everyone else filed in behind Busch. He carried on for the remaining eight laps to win the first stage.
Cautions Continue in the Second Stage
Joey Logano cycled into the lead to begin the second stage. He was able to lead the first 23 laps. During the green flag pitting cycle, Ryan Newman spun around in the first turn to bring out another caution.
Kyle Busch returned to the lead on the following restart and carried the field for about 14 laps when another caution flag waved for Ross Chastain losing a tire.
A two-lap shootout ensued to bring the field to the end of the second stage. Kurt Busch held the lead on the restart and fended off the field to win the segment.
A Shocking End to the Race
Kyle Larson moved into the lead and took control of the final stage. With 20 laps remaining, another caution came out for the debris. Many leaders stayed out under caution.
Kyle Busch controlled the restart but was passed in the first turn by Alex Bowman. Bowman led twelve consecutive laps until he was passed by Kyle Larson with three laps remaining.
Larson increased his lead to over two seconds coming to the white flag. However, coming into the race’s final turn, Larson blew his right front tire and faded back in the field. Alex Bowman was able to slide by on the bottom and steal the win at Pocono Raceway.
Kyle Larson Ends his Win Streak
It was heartbreak for Kyle Larson. His streak of three straight wins will end there, as Alex Bowman went straight to victory lane. This is Alex Bowman’s third win on the 2021 campaign, and his capabilities are starting to come to fruition. Bowman seems to have been in the right spot at the right time for all his wins this season. His crew chief enjoys making a pitting strategy to gain track position and it gave Bowman his chance to win. So far, Alex Bowman has done a good job at taking advantage of his opportunities.