TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 14: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 McDonald’s Chevrolet, wrecks during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 14, 2019, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
It was a dramatic day for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers in Monday’s rain-delayed 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway – with all 12 championship-eligible drivers involved in some way in an assortment of wrecks, including three versions of the track’s famous ‘Big One.’
DOVER, DELAWARE – OCTOBER 06: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Clover Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway on October 06, 2019 in Dover, Delaware. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images
The opening race for the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 was hosted by Dover International Speedway for the Drydene 400. After a dramatic opening round in the playoffs, the intensity ramps up with the set of tracks for this round. Many teams were looking to set a solid foundation before the field heads down south to Talladega Superspeedway for the next track in this round.
DOVER, DELAWARE – OCTOBER 06: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Clover Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway on October 06, 2019 in Dover, Delaware. Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
Kyle Larson celebrated his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory in two years Sunday at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, taking the checkered flag in the Drydene 400 by a convincing 1.578-seconds over Martin Truex Jr. and securing himself and his Chip Ganassi Racing team their first-ever berth in the upcoming Playoff Round of 8.
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 02: Erik Jones, driver of the #20 Sport Clips Throwback Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 02, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
DARLINGTON, S.C. – As the clock ticked toward 2 a.m. on Monday, in a race delayed by rain for nearly four hours, Erik Jones claimed the most important victory of his career in the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 27: The car of Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet, sits in the garage after an incident during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images
Chase Elliott was unduly hard on himself after Saturday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session at Pocono Raceway.