LaJoie led the way on a restart with three of 260 laps remaining at Atlanta Motor Speedway but Elliott was able to get around him with one to go.
On the start of the final lap, LaJoie got a big run and tried a pass in an attempt to regain the lead. Elliott blocked his advance and LaJoie darted up the track and into the wall, which forced NASCAR to throw a caution and secured Elliott’s win.
The victory is the third this season for Elliott – the most of any driver – and second in the last three races.
The win is the 16th of Elliott’s career and first at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the home track of the native of Dawsonville, Ga.
“To win at your home track is a really big deal, I think to any race car driver. I’ve watched a lot of guys do it over the years, Jimmie (Johnson) out in California,” Elliott said. “We haven’t really had a very good run here, so I felt like today was a great opportunity for us.
“But just so proud. This is obviously home for me, home to a lot of great fans who made a lot of noise today, home for NAPA right down the road in Atlanta. Couldn’t be more proud of our team. What a car. I mean, I’m not sure we’ve ever had a speedway car that good. If we have, I’ve probably wrecked it down at Daytona.
“Man, what a few weeks it’s been. I feel like I gave one away last week (at Road America), and to come back and to put on a performance like that, I’m really proud of that.”
When the field was frozen for the caution, Ross Chastain was scored second, Austin Cindric third, Erik Jones fourth and Ryan Blaney fifth.
Completing the top-10 were Daniel Suarez, Justin Haley, Aric Almirola, Cole Custer, and Harrison Burton.
Stage 3
During the break between Stages 2 and 3, the lead-lap cars all pit with Cindric first off pit road after taking fuel-only.
Brad Keselowski had to restart from the rear of the field after an equipment interference penalty during his stop. Todd Gilliland restarted from the rear for pitting outside the box.
The race resumed on Lap 166 with Cindric out front followed by Almirola, Jones and Harvick.
On Lap 170 just after Jones grabbed the lead, Ty Dillon plowed into the back of a loose Garrett Smithley, which triggered another multi-car wreck, which brought out the eighth caution of the race.
Among those collected in the wreck were William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Keselowski, Bubba Wallace and Michael McDowell.
A handful of cars elected to pit but Jones stayed out. The race restarted on Lap 177…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Motorsport.com – NASCAR – Stories…