Sunday’s race evolved into a head-to-head battle between Team Penske and Trackhouse Racing, and as the caution along with a checkered flag waved over the start/finish line, Joey Logano crossed as the winner ahead of Daniel Suarez. But in order to get a full view of how the finish played out, we have to rewind the clock a bit.
On Lap 178 of 260, most of the field came down pit road for the final time. This included Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, and Ross Chastain. As for Ryan Blaney, his race nearly ended nearly 30 laps later. A mistake from Chris Buescher sent Blaney into the outside wall with 56 laps to go before he slid down the track and into the side of Martin Truex Jr.’s car. Shockingly, the body damage wasn’t enough to severely hinder the No. 12 Team Penske Ford. The team did extensive work to the left side and also gave him four fresh tires. (Appropriately, the car was sponsored by ‘Dent Wizard’ for the race weekend.)
Joey Logano, Team Penske, Autotrader Ford Mustang, Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing, Quaker State Chevrolet Camaro, Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Dent Wizard Ford Mustang take the white flag
Photo by: Lesley Ann Miller / Motorsport Images
Those tires proved advantageous, as another driver who pitted for fresh rubber quickly rocketed to the front — Ty Gibbs. He was leading the way with Kyle Busch in hot pursuit when a curious caution for a wayward Wal-Mart banner on the track set up a sprint to the finish.
With a push from Logano, Suarez was able to take the lead from Gibbs, only for Busch to put the Mexican driver three-wide. This looked like it might be the end of his shot at the victory. But right then, his teammate Chastain dropped from the outside to the middle, finally connecting the two. At the same time, Chastain’s move allowed Blaney to pull up behind fellow Penske driver Logano.
With these teammates locked together, Gibbs could do little to defend as both Suarez and Logano pulled to his outside. The far inside line with Gibbs and Busch then disintegrated and they were swallowed up by the pack.
Joey Logano, Team Penske, Autotrader Ford Mustang, Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing, Quaker State Chevrolet Camaro and Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing, He Gets Us Toyota Camry
Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Suarez and Chastain held the bottom lane, but that quickly changed as a crash by Noah Gragson pushed the race into overtime. Logano was scored as the race leader, giving him the…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Motorsport.com – NASCAR – Stories…