What happened?
DARLINGTON, S.C. – Erik Jones held off Denny Hamlin on the way to his first NASCAR Cup Series win of 2022 and third of his career during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, Sep. 4. Behind Hamlin were Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano and Christopher Bell rounding out the top five; all four are contenders for this year’s NASCAR Cup championship.
Jones, however, is not, just the second driver outside the Round of 16 to win since the elimination-style format debuted in 2014. The victory marks the first for a race team owned by Richard Petty (No. 43) since the summer race at Daytona International Speedway in 2014. It’s also Jones’ second career Southern 500 victory.
How did it happen?
Right from the beginning of Darlington’s final stage, it appeared to be either Kyle Busch or Martin Truex Jr.‘s race to lose. Heck, it was practically that way the whole event. The Joe Gibbs Racing duo appeared to be gatekeepers for the crown jewel race win.
Busch led from the beginning of the final stage on lap 237 while Truex followed suit. However, on lap 294, the No. 19 was able to get by his teammate for the lead and pulled away. Even after the field visited pit road for the final round of green flag pit stops, Truex stayed ahead far enough to where it appeared a non-playoff driver was going to spoil the post-season party already in its first round.
Which one did. Only it wasn’t Truex.
The temperature gauges in the JGR Toyota began to display higher-than-optimal numbers and the No. 19 began to slow. Busch saw his moment to pounce for the lead and took it only a few laps before Truex was forced to visit pit road with less than 30 to go.
Martin Truex Jr. has overheating issues, allowing Kyle Busch to pass him for the lead!
Less than 30 laps to go in the Southern 500 at @TooToughToTame. #NASCARPlayoffs
📺 : @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/ME1DCSDyNF
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 5, 2022
While Truex’s car went behind the wall, Busch inherited the lead. The caution flag waved shortly after for a Cody Ware spin, and the field went to pit road for what would be the final time. Rowdy won the following race off pit lane, and it looked as though his Southern 500 win was all but secure.
Then, under the caution flag, his engine failed too.
Kyle Busch’s motor blows up!
WHAT IS THIS #NASCARPlayoffs OPENER!? pic.twitter.com/WS4NWrUHOv
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 5, 2022
Jones took the lead from the…
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