After a wild race on Saturday afternoon, the Cup Series drivers return to Pocono Raceway for part two of their doubleheader weekend and the final race in a doubleheader Sunday with the Explore the Pocono Mountains 350. Today’s race is 25 miles longer than the race on Saturday.
Kyle Larson barely missed his fourth race win in a row after a flat tire let Alex Bowman by in the final turn to win the race. The flat tire caused some damage to Larson’s number five Hendrick Motorsports car, forcing the team to pull out the backup car. As a result, Larson will have to start the race from the back of the field.
After a hard hit into the wall twice in a
wreck during the Xfinity Series race that knocked the breath out of him, Justin Haley will not run in the Cup Race. Xfinity Series driver Justin Allgaier will taking over the driving duties for Haley. With the driver change, Allgaier will have to start the race from the back of the field.
The starting lineup for today’s race was determined by the results from Saturday’s race and includes an inversion. The top 20 drivers have been inverted with the second half of the field starting as they finished. However, several drivers who were looking for a good race start will find themselves in the back of the field after the crews changed to a backup car after receiving crash damage during the race…
Ryan Preece
Anthony Alfredo
Ross Chastain
Corey LaJoie
Ryan Newman
Cole Custer
After the top 20 drivers have been inverted, Chris Buescher will sit on the pole and bring the field to green with Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowll starting alongside on the front row.
The starting lineup for the Explore the Pocono Mountains 350:
Chris Buescher
Michael McDowell
Martin Truex Jr
Christopher Bell
Aric Almirola
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Bubba Wallace
Daniel Suarez
Chase Elliott
Tyler Reddick
Brad Keselowski
Kyle Larson – moved to the back of the field
Kevin Harvick
Joey Logano
Kurt Busch
Ryan Blaney
Denny Hamlin
William Byron
Kyle Busch
Alex Bowman
Austin Dillon
Erik Jones
Ryan Preece – moved to the back of the field
Chase Briscoe
Cody Ware
Anthonhy Alfredo – moved to the back of the field
Justin Allgaier – subbing for Justin Haley – moved to the back of the field
James Davison
Garrett Smithley
BJ McLeod
Quin Houff
Matt DiBenedetto
Ross Chastain – moved to the back of the field
Josh Bilicki– moved to the back of the field
Timmy Hill
Corey LaJoie – moved to the back of the field
Ryan Newman – moved to the back of the field
Cole Custer – moved to the back of the field
Stage one of the race is 30 laps song with stages two and three lasting 55 laps each for a total of 140 laps around the two and a half mile track. Drivers can run 42 to 45 laps on a single load of fuel.
Chris Buescher brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the outside lane and goes side by side with Michael McDowell before getting out in front for the lead.
Lap two, Chris Buescher is in the lead with Michael McDowell in second; Christopher Bell, Martin Truex Jr, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr round out the top five.
Starting in the back of the field, Anthony Alfred brings out the first caution flag of the race when he gets into the wall with a blown tire. Alfredo was one of several drivers who started from the back of the field in a backup car after crashing in yesterday’s race.
Chris Buescher brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap seven from the outside lane and edges out for the lead after a push from Christopher Bell.
Lap seven, Chris Buescher has an issue and moves up the track; Michael McDowell takes the lead with Martin Truex Jr in second.
The top five are Michael McDowell, Mart Truex Jr, Christopher Bell, Aric Almirola, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Chris Buescher has dropped to 15th.
Lap nine, Kyle Larson has moved up to 26th after being one of several drivers starting from the back of the field.
Anthony Alfredo is the only driver not on the lead lap.
Lap 10, Michael McDowell has a lead of just two tenths of a second on Martin Truex Jr.
Lap eleven, Alex Bowman is reporting a vibration.
Lap 13, Michael McDowell continues to lead the race but has only a two tenths of a second lead on Martin Truex Jr.
Kyle Busch has moved up 12 spots since the race start. Busch calls his car ripped.
Lap 14, Martin Truex Jr takes the lead from Michael McDowell with Christopher Bell taking second; Michael McDowell is in third.
Lap 18, Martin Truex Jr has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Christopher Bell; Aric Almirola, Michael McDowell, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Lapa 19, Brad Keselowski takes fourth from Michael McDowell.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr reports a very loose condition and hard to control.
Lap 20, Kyle Busch is up to sixth place with Bubba Wallace in seventh.
There 36 of the 38 cars on the lead lap.
Kyle Larson has moved up to 22nd place with 10 laps remaining in stage one.
Lap 21, Martin Truex Jr has a lead of nearly two seconds on Christopher Bell; Aric Almirola, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Busch round out the top five.
Lap 25, Martin Truex Jr has pulled out to a two and a half second lead on Christopher Bell; Aric Almirola, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Busch round out the top five.
Lap 27, several drivers are short pitting the end of the stage before pit road closes.
Martin Truex Jr wins stage one
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Martin Truex Jr
Aric Almirola
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Blaney
Bubba Wallace
Michael McDowell
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Tyler Reddick
Daniel Suarez
Joey Logano
Just before he crossed the finish line, William Byron passes Martin Truex Jr to unlap himself and gives the “lucky dog” to Garrett Smithley.
Kyle Larson reports some damage to the nose of his car after some on track contact.
Drivers come down pit road for service. The drivers who short pitted stay out on the track. Brad Keselowski is the new leader.
Kyle Larson is on pit road and the crew is making repairs.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two on lap 36 from the outside lane. Keselowski gets out in front with a push from team mate Ryan Blaney.
Lap 36, the top five are Brad Keselowski, Ryan ?Blaney, Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, and William Byron.
Kyle Busch is reporting some transmission gear issues and wonders whether he can make it to the rest of the race.
There are 34 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 38, Brad Keselowski has a lead of over half a second on Ryan Blaney; Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, and William Byron round out the top five.
Lap 40, Brad Keselowski has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Ryan Blaney; Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, and William Byron round out the top five.
Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney have yet to make any pit stops.
Lap 43, Kyle Larson is reporting some overheating issues after his car was repaired.
Lap 45, Kyle Busch is in second nearly four seconds behind leader Brad Keselowski; William Byron, Christopher Bell, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Lap 46, Austin Dillon comes down pit road; Brad Keselowski also makes his first pit stop.
Kyle Busch is the new leader.
Kyle Larson also comes down pit road for service.
Lap 48, Kyle Busch has a lead of nearly a second on William Byron; Christopher Bell, Denny Hmlin, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
Lap 50, Kyle Larson is the last car on the lead lap in 33rd place.
Alex Bowman is reporting that his vibration and brak gremlins have gone away.
Lap 51, Kyle Busch’s lead on William Byron is down to under half a second.
Ryan Blaney makes an unscheduled trip down pit road with a suspected loose tire.
Kyle Busch is heard singing in his car while leading the race. His apparent transmission gear issues are not a big issue.
Lap 57, Kyle Busch continues to lead the race but has a lead of only two tenths of a second on William Byron; Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott round out the top five with 32 cars on the lead lap.
While back in 30th place, Kyle Larson is consistently running some of the fastest laps on the track.
Lap 61, Kyle Busch has pulled out to a half secon lead on William Byron; Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott round out the top five with 31 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 63, drivers begin making their green flag pit stops.
Lap 66, William Byron gives up second to make his pit stop.
Kyle Busch leads the race by nearly two seconds on Christopher Bell; Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.
Lap 71, Kyle Busch has a lead of over a second on Christopher Bell; Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr, and Aric Almirola round out the top five as green flag pit stops continue.
Lap 72, Christopher Bell, Chase Ellliott, and Martin Truex Jr give up top five spots to make their pit stops.
Lap 74, leader Kyle Busch finally makes his green flag pit stop and gives the lead over to Joey Logano. Busch reports a tight condition in his car. The car stalled on the track and had a slow stop on pit road.
Lap 75, Joey Logano makes his pit stop and gives the lead over to Bubba Wallace.
Kyle Busch returns to the track in 13th place.
Lap 77, Bubba Wallace makes his pit stop and gives the lead over to William Byron.
Lap 78, the top five are William Byron, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Elliott. Kyle Busch is in ninth place. The crew chief reports that they will make any repairs on pit road.
There are 29 cars on the lead lap.
Six laps remain in stage two; William Byron has a two second lead on Brad Keselowski; Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
There have been several calls from drivers to crew chiefs asking whether the tires were secured properly.
With three laps remaining in stage two William Byron has a lead of over two seconds on Brad Keselowski.
Denny Hamlin passes Brad Keselowski for second with two laps remaining in stage two.
William Byron wins stage two.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
William Byron
Denny Hamlin
Brad Keselowski
Christopher Bell
Chase Elliott
Martin Truex Jr
Kyle Busch
Kyle Larson
Aric Almirola
Ross Chastain
Drivers come down pit road for service. Kyle Busch’s crew works on the transmission issue.
The crew could not get the transmission gear repaired and has decided that driver Kyle Busch will have to “live with it” for the rest of the race.
William Byron brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 91. Drivers gets spread out four and five wide on the restart. William Byron holds on to the lead.
Lap 91, the top five are William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, and Nartin Truex Jr. Kyle Busch is the last car on the lead lap in 30th.
Erik Jones is slowed on the track with a flat tire and a damages fender. The caution flag comes out for Jones.
Some of the drivers come down pit road for fuel with 46 laps remaining in the race. With cautions, the drivers could make it from here with a stop for fuel.
NASCAR has deemed that Chase Elliott did not maintain speed and has named Christopher Bell the leader.
Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 97 but it is Alex Bowman who gets out in front for the lead.
The top five are Alex Bowman, Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, Kevin Harvick, and Chase Elliott.
Ross Chastain moves up the track and is slowing down with a flat tire after some on track contact. Chastain is working his way toward pit road.
Christopher Bell slams the wall after getting loose after some on track contact but the track stays green.
Ross Chastain makes it to pit road.
Christopher Bell makes it to pit road.
Lap 100, Alex Bowman leads the race with Kevin Harvick in second; Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Chase Elliot has a flat tire and is working his way to pit road.
Lap 107, Alex Bowman has a half second lead on Kevin Harvick.
Chase Elliott has to make another trip down pit road for a flat tire.
Ryan Blaney makes his green flag pit stop.
Despite all of his car issues, Kyle Busch is currently in 12th place.
Lap 108, the top five are Alex Bowman, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick, and Michael McDowell.
Ross Chastain is the last car on the lead lap in 28th place.
Lap 111, Alex Bowman has a two tenths of a second lead on Kevin Harvick; Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron round out the top five..
Ricky Stenhouse Jr takes his smoking car to the garage
Lap 113, Kevin Harvick gives up second and makes his green flag pit stop.
Kyle Busch’s team reports that he is one lap short on fuel; Busch plans on staying out on the track until he runs out.
Timmy Hill is on pit road with car issues.
Lap 117, Brad Keselowski takes the lead after Alex Bowman makes his green flag pit stop.
The top five are Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, Kurt Busch, and Denny Hamlin. Kyle Busch is in seventh place…stuck gear and all.
Lap 119, Tyler Reddick makes his green flag pit stop.
Twenty to go, Brad Keselowski has a three second lead on William Byron; Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson round out the top five with Kyle Busch in sixth.
Fifteen to go, Brad Keselowski has a lead of over four seconds on William Byron but Keselowski must make a fuel stop.
Brad Keselowski continues to expand his lead as drivers are in fuel conservation mode.
With 10 to go, Kyle Busch’s team tells him that he is good to go and to open it up.
With nine laps to go, Brad Keselowski makes his pit stop and gives the lead over to William Byron.
Seven laps remain in the race, William Byron has a three second lead on Denny Hamlin; Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, and Kurt Busch round out the top five.
Brad Keselowski returns to the track in seventh place.
Five to go, William Byron has a two second ead on Denny Hamlin; Kyle Busch is less than two and a half seconds back in third; Kyle Larson and Kurt Busch round out the top five.
Four to go, Denny Hamlin is now a second and a hlaf behind leader William Byron; Kyle Busch is just over a second and a hlaf behind Byron.
Leader William Byron reported fuel pressure issues and is being called to pit road.
Denny Hamlin is the new leader second just two tenths of a second back; Kyle Larson, Kurt Busch, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Kyle Busch passes Denny Hamlin for the lead.
Kyle Busch takes the white flag. He has a seven and a half second lead on Kyle Larson.
Drivers are running out of fuel on the final lap.
Rowdy wins at Pocono!!!!
In the ultimate fuel management race, Kyle Busch wins the race with a gear shifting issue! This is his second win of the season. Busch finally breaks the Hendrick Motorsports domination of victory lane.
Stuck in fourth gear and no clutch, Kyle Busch needed a push to get to victory lane.
The unofficial results of the Explore Pocono Mountains 350:
Kyle Busch
Kyle Larson
Brad Keselowski
Kevin Harvick
Bubba Wallace
Ryan Blaney
Alex Bowman
Ryan Preece
Tyler Reddick
Joey Logano
Martin Truex Jr
William Byron
Austin Dillon
Denny Hamlin
Daniel Suarez
Aric Almirola
Michael McDowell
Matt DiBenedetto
Chris Buescher
Kurt Busch
Chase Briscoe
Ryan Newman
Corey LaJoie
Cole Custer
Justin Allgaier
Ross Chastain
Chase Elliott
Cody Ware
BJ McLeod
James Davison
Erik Jones
Christopher Bell
Quin Houff
Anthony Alfredo
Josh Bilicki
Garrett Smithley
Timmy Hill
Ricky Stenhouse Jr