The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returned to Texas Motor Speedway, the middle point in the round of eight. After a dramatic race at Martinsville last week, many drivers were looking to improve their position and set themselves up for a chance at the championship in Homestead-Miami.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 03: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Beer/Ducks Unlimited Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 03, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, Tex. – For Kevin Harvick, Texas is the new Phoenix.
Overcoming a pit road penalty for a tire placed in his pit box too early, Harvick took control of the AAA Texas 500 as the sun set on Texas Motor Speedway and won his third straight Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at the 1.5-mile track in Cowtown.
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – OCTOBER 27: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Halloween Toyota, are involved in an on-track incident during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 27, 2019 in Martinsville, Virginia. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
Aric Almirola and Kyle Busch were battling for the seventh position in Sunday’s First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway, and they weren’t doing each other any favors.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 29: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
CONCORD, N.C. – Moments after taking the checkered flag in Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, race winner Chase Elliott revisited the site of his biggest mistake.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 15: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, crosses the finish line to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 15, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the site for the first race in the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. There are ten races in the playoffs, but it is a tough road to make it to Homestead-Miami as a contender for the championship title. Sunday night’s first race was a prime example of how competitive it is throughout the playoffs.