AJ Allmendinger wins late thriller at Indy Road Course in the NASCAR Cup Series Verizon 200 on Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis.
For the first time ever, the NASCAR Cup Series went racing on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This road course features a trip through the infield while also incorporating the historic rectangular oval in a few areas. The new course offers many breaking zones that lead into sharp corners. Racing at a road course requires a lot of patience, especially when it is new.
Byron on the Pole; Reddick Takes the Stage Win
William Byron won the pole in the qualifying session early Sunday morning. He jumped out in front of the field as soon as the green flag was dropped.
Chase Briscoe followed closely behind and was able to make a pass for the lead on the following lap. Briscoe led the field for 12 laps before making his way down pit road under the green flag.
Tyler Reddick stayed out and took over the race lead with two laps remaining in the first stage. He went on and took home the victory in the first stage.
Keselowski Leads the Second Stage; Reddick Prevails at the End
Brad Keselowski took the lead coming into the second stage. He fought hard with Chase Elliott and lost the battle. Elliott took the race lead on the opening lap of the segment.
The road course veteran moved out into the sole lead while everyone in pursuit was behind him. With four laps remaining, Chase Elliott and many others came down pit road under the green flag.
Tyler Reddick once again cycled into the lead right at the end of the second stage. He was able to cleanly navigate his way to the green and white checkered flag for another stage victory.
A Wild Finish on the Indy Road Course
Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott dueled each other for the lead in the early laps of the final stage. Patience among the field wore off and it seemed that the kink in the backstretch was causing many issues throughout the field.
After a debris caution on lap 74, Denny Hamlin opted not to pit and gave himself the lead on the restart. On the following restart, twelve drivers are caught up in a wreck on the backstretch. A long red flag break allowed the safety crew to clean up the track.
The race entered overtime with Denny Hamlin leading after the long break. Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe dragged raced into the first turn with neither giving an inch. Hamlin went wide forcing Briscoe into the outside grass. Chase Briscoe cut the corner and came out with the lead over Denny Hamlin.
Hamlin passed Briscoe back on the following corner, but Briscoe had a run on Hamlin coming out of the corner. Right as NASCAR officials made the announcement that Chase Briscoe was penalized, and was to perform a stop and go, Chase Briscoe spun Denny Hamlin trying to regain the lead.
AJ Allmendinger wins late thriller at Indy Road Course
Chase Briscoe pulled aside and served his penalty as third-place AJ Allmendinger moved into the lead with one lap remaining. Allmendinger took the white flag with a major lead over the rest of the field. He brought his racing machine through the infield one final time. AJ Allmendinger entered the front stretch and took the checkered flag for his second career victory in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings
A wild ending that slightly worked out for Denny Hamlin in the long run. Denny Hamlin entered Sunday’s race with his playoff spot not entirely secured. With AJ Allmendinger’s win, Denny Hamlin officially clinches his playoff spot. Allmendinger is not a full-time driver, therefore his win does not put him in the playoffs. Denny Hamlin currently sits in second place in the seasonal points standings. He is 22 points back from Kyle Larson in first.
Coming Up
There are two races remaining in the regular season, and there are still two spots up for grabs. Tyler Reddick and Kevin Harvick currently hold these two spots, but they can easily be removed if someone new wins a race. With Michigan next and Daytona International Speedway being the season finale, anything can happen.