The Cup Series caps off a double header weekend as they start round two of the playoffs with the Autotrader Echopark Automotive 500.

The weekend started off a little rocky for Stewart-Haas Racing driver Aric Almirola whose car failed the pre-race inspection process twice. As a result he loses a crew member for the weekend but will start the race in the position where he qualifies.

Driving a loose car, Cody Ware gets into the wall with less than five minutes left in Group A practice. Ware did not make a qualifying run with the crew working on getting the backup car ready for the race.

Erik Jones also spins out during practice but does not hit anything.

Garrett Smithley is the first driver on the track to make a qualifying run and posts a time of 29.501 seconds around the mile and a half track.

Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson will all be moving on to the second round of qualifying from Group A.

Austin Dillon, Michael McDowell, Daniel Suarez, William Byron, and Chase Elliott will move on to the second round of qualifying from Group B.

Describing how to make a fast run at Texas Motor Speedway, Michael McDowell said that you have to hold it wide open and run scared; adding that he was shaking after his first qualifying run.

On the heels of Chris Buescher’s win at Bristol Motor Speedway; RFK Racing co-owner and driver Brad Keselowski posts a time of 28.573 seconds to put his number six car on the pole. Joey Logano will start alongside Keselowski on the front row. This is Keslowski’s 18th career pole – the first as an owner/driver.

Half of the 12 playoff drivers will start the race outside of the top 10.

The starting lineup for the Autotrader Echopark Automotive 500:
Brad Keselowski
Joey Logano
William Byron
Tyler Reddick
Michael McDowell
Chase Elliott
Austin Dillon
Denny Hamlin
Kyle Larson
Daniel Suarez
Austin Cindric
Ross Chastain
Chris Buescher
Ryan Blaney
Martin Truex Jr
Ty Gibbs
Alex Bowman
Kyle Busch
Bubba Wallace
Harrison Burton
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Christopher Bell
Kevin Harvick
Cole Custer
Aric Almirola
Noah Gragson
Erik Jones
Todd Gilliland
Corey LaJoie
Chase Briscoe
Justin Haley
Ty Dillon
Garrett Smithley
BJ McLeod
Landon Cassill
Cody Ware

The calendar may say that it is autumn, but today the drivers will be dealing with some very hot conditions with air temperatures topping out at nearly 100 degrees. It is the hottest race day in Texas history. Track temperatures are 140 degrees at race start. Temps inside the cars will also reach 140 to 150 degrees.

The teams have only eight sets of sticker tires in the pits for today’s race.

Stages one and two of the race are 105 laps each with stage three lasting 124 laps for a total of 334 laps around the mile and a half track. Drivers can run around 65 laps on a single load of fuel.

Cast members from the film “Top Gun: Maverick” gave a rousing command to start the engines to get everyone excited.

Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the inside lane with Joey Logano on the outside. After going side by side on the first lap, Brad Keselowski edges out in front for the lead.

The top five are Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, William Byron, Michael McDowell, and Denny Hamlin.

Lap four, Brad Keselowski has pulled out to a half second lead on Joey Logano.

Lap six, Brad Keselowski has increased his lead to nearly a second on Joey Logano; William Byron, Michael McDowell, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.

Lap nine, Brad Keselowski now has a one second lead on Joey Logano with William Byron, Michael McDowell, and Denny Hamlin rounding out the top five.

Lap 15, Bubba Wallace makes an unscheduled trip down pit road with a steering issue. He returns to the track one lap down.

Lap 21, Brad Keselowski has pulled out to a lead of nearly two and a half seconds on Joey Logano; William Byron, Michael McDowell, and Denny Hamlin continue to round out the top five. There has been little movement among the field so far.

Lap 25, Joey Logano has closed the gap on leader Brad Keselowski to just over a second with 33 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 28, Ryan Blaney is reporting a bad handling car with no grip.

Lap 29, Brad Keselowski’s lead is down to under a second on Joey Logano; William Byron, Michael McDowell, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.

With the leaders half a straightaway back, the 23 car of Ty Gibbs is holding up several drivers.

Chase Elliott is reporting some handling issues with his car.

Battling a loose condition, Brad Keselowski moves up the track and Joey Logano flies past him for the lead.

Lap 36, Joey Logano leads the race with William Byron in second; Brad Keselowski, Michael McDowell, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.

Lap 40, Martin Truex Jr gets loose and spins out and makes a run through the grass; bringing out the first caution flag of the race.

Drivers come down pit road for service with William Byron winning the race off of pit road. The drivers in the pit window to make it to the end of the stage from this point. Brad Keselowski was caught speeding on pit road. Kevin Harvick took just two tires.

After Kyle Busch was eliminated from the playoffs, Joe Gibbs Racing swapped pit crews between the number eleven car of Denny Hamlin who is still in the playoffs and Kyle Busch. On the first pit stop of the race, the crew working on Kyle Busch’s car (formerly Hamlin’s crew) was a half second faster than Denny Hamlin’s current crew (formerly Kyle Busch’s crew).

William Byron brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 41 with Joey Logano alongside. Byron and Logano go side by side for over a lap before William Byron gets out in front for the lead.

Lap 46 the top five are William Byron, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Kyle Larson.

Lap 50, Kyle Busch gets loose and backs the car into the wall and brings out the caution flag. Busch takes his car to the garage and becomes the first driver out of the race.

Half of the Toyotas in the race have had issues – two have been involved in wrecks and one has had a steering issue.

Austin Cindric is reporting a vibration. He brings the car down pit road for fresh tires.

William Byron brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 55 with Joey Logano alongside. Byron gets out in front for the lead with Logano in second; Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.

Lap 56 the caution flag comes out when Ricky Stenhouse Jr makes contact with Ty Dillon in a three wide battle and gets loose, making a run into the grass.

Out of the infield care center, Kyle Busch said that he moved up to go high and get in the “sticky stuff” and it wasn’t sticky; adding that there were just too many banana peels out there. When making note of his recent stretch of bad luck and how to change it, Busch laughed and said “2023”.

William Byron brings the field down for the green flag restart with Joey Logano on the outside on lap 61. Byron gets out in front for the lead. Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin battle for second.

Lap 62, the top five are William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick.

Tyler Reddick and Joey Logano battle for third.

Lap 65, William Byron has a lead of over half a second on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.

Chase Elliott is reporting some intermittent smoke in the cockpit.

Lap 67, William Byron continues to lead the race by over half a second on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.

Lap 70, Joey Logano and Kyle Larson battle for fourth with Larson taking the spot.

Lap 74, William Byron has a half second lead on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick who is beginning to move up the track, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano round out the top five.

Denny Hamlin has lost the timing and scoring in his car and is reporting some intermittent electrical issues. The heat is affecting everything – drivers, crews, and cars.

The fourth caution flag of the race comes out for a flat tire involving Christopher Bell. Bell of the doesn’t wait for pit road to open before bringing his car to his pit stall. He will have to restart the race from the race from the back of the longest line.

After the caution flag came out, Cole Custer gets loose and into the wall with a flat tire.

Several drivers come down pit road for service but the leaders stay out.

Chase Briscoe is reporting a tight condition; but Ryan Blaney is reporting a very loose condition in his car.

William Byron brings the field down for the green flag restart and gets out in front to hold on to the lead with Denny Hamlin in second; Kyle Lardon, Tyler Reddick and Joey Logano round out the top five.

Tyler Reddick passes Kyle Larson for third.

Lap 86, William Byron has a half second lead on Denny Hamlin.

Lap 87, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin battle for second.

William Byron gets loose and out of the gas, he falls to third; Denny Hamlin is the new leader.

Lap 89, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin battle for the lead; Kyle Larson comes up on the outside and takes the lead from third.

Lap 90, the top fiveare Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron. Joey Logano and Chase Elliott battle for sixth.

Lap 92, Kyle Larson has a half second lead on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Joey Logano round out the top five.

With eleven laps remaining in stage one, Kyle Larson has a lead of over half a second on Denny Hamlin.

The caution flag comes out on lap 97 when Alex Bowman gets loose and back it into the wall.

Several of the drivers come down pit road just short of the end of stage one.

Chris Buescher was charged with removing equipment form the pit box and will have to restart the race form the back of the field.

Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart with just three laps remaining in stage one with Denny Hamlin alongside. Drivers get three wide across the track in a battle for position. Kyle Larson takes the lead with Hamlin in second; Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, and Ross Chastain round out the top five.

In a close battle with Denny Hamlin that included some contact, Kyle Larson wins stage one.

The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Kyle Larson
Denny Hamlin
Joey Logano
Daniel Suarez
Ross Chastain
William Byron
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Brad Keselowski
Austin Cindric
Michael McDowell

Alex Bowman returns to the track eight laps down.

Drivers who did not pit during the last caution come down pit road for service. Taking only two tires, Brad Keselowski wins the race off of pit road.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two from the inside lane with Michael McDowell alongside on lap 112. Stenhouse gets out in front with drivers getting three wide across the track.

Lap 113, Ricky Stenhouse Jr leads the race with Michael McDowell in second; Tyler Reddick, Harrison Burton, and Erik Jones round out the top five.

Lap 114, Tyler Reddick passes Michael McDowell for second.

Alex Bowman has made minimum speed and continues on in the race.

Lap 115, Ricky Stenhouse Jr has a half second lead on Harrison Burton; Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, and Erik Jones round out the top five.

Lap 116, Tyler Reddick makes an unscheduled trip down pit road with a vibration. He had a long stop on pit road after a jack issue.

Lap 118, Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Harrison Burton are in a battle for the lead; Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.

Chase Elliott is the only playoff driver in the top five; he and eighth place driver Christopher Bell are the only playoff drivers in the top 10.

Lap 121, Harrison Burton continues to challenge Ricky Stenhouse Jr for the lead.

There are 32 cars on the lead lap with Cole Custer and Kyle Busch out of the race.

Lap 124, Harrison Burton takes the lead with Chase Elliott passing Ricky Stenhouse Jr for second.

Lap 126, Harrison Burton leads the race with Chase Elliott in second; Erik Jones, Martin Truex Jr, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr round out the top five.

Lap 133, Harrison Burton continues to lead the race with Chase Elliott nearly half a second back; Erik Jones, Martin Truex Jr, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr rounding out the top five.

Christopher Bell spins out and backs it into the wall on lap 137 and brings out the seventh caution flag of the race.

Most of the field comes down pit road for service. The drivers are still outside of their pit window to make it to the end of the stage. Chase Elliott wins the race on pit road.

There is a big fire in Harrison Burton’s pit box where the car is fueled. Harrison Burton is back on the track but one lap down.

Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 142 with Ross Chastain alongside. Elliott and Chastain battle back and forth for the lead before Chase Elliott takes the lead.

Lap 143, the top five are Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, and Bubba Wallace.

Erik Jones and Ross Chastain battle for second.

Lap 145, Chase Elliott has a half second lead on Ross Chastain; Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace, and Erik Jones round out the top five.

Lap 148, Bubba Wallace and Martin Truex Jr battle for fifth.

Lap 150, Chase Elliott has a half second lead on Ross Chastain; Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.

Christopher Bell is on pit road for repairs but after damage hitting the wall, he was on the “crash clock” and the crew could not get repairs completed in time. Bell becomes the third driver out of the race.

Lap 155, Chase Elliott has a lead of nearly half a second on Ross Chastain; Ryan Blaney,, Erik Jones, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.

Lap 166, Chase Elliott has a lead of over half a second on Ross Chastain; Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, and Erik Jones round out the top five.

Kyle Larson gets loose but saves the car and the track stays green.

The eighth caution flag of the race comes out on lap 169 when Cody Ware gets loose, hits the outside wall and then comes down pit road and hits the pit wall nearly head on. He just missed the corner of pit wall. He climbs out of the car and is being attended to behind the pit wall. Fortunately, there were no crew members up on the pit wall when Ware hit it. He has been taken to the infield care center via ambulance.

Several of the drivers are running very tight on making it to the end of the stage on fuel and were working hard to save as much fuel as possible. The extended caution flag will aid in the fuel conservation efforts.

Once pit road is open the field is split on some drivers staying out, while other stayed out on the track including leader Chase Elliott.

After taking only two tires, Kyle Larson made a second trip down pit road for a potential loose tire and changed the other two tires while he was there. He will restart the race from the back of the field.

Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 178 with Ryan Blaney alongside. After going side by side, Chase Elliott finally edges out Blaney for the lead.

Lap 179, the top five are Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones, Bubba Wallace, and Daniel Suarez.

Daniel Suarez passes Bubba Wallace for fourth.

Lap 181, Daniel Suarez passes Erik Jones for third.

Lap 182, Bubba Wallace is slowed on the track and falling through the field. He gets going again after saving the loose car.

Chase Elliott brings out the ninth caution flag of the day on lap 185 when he gets into the wall and runs into the grass with a flaming right front. Elliott climbs out of the car and walks away from the car. Ryan Blaney is the new leader.

Erik Jones comes down a closed pit road reporting that something has broken. The crew changes tires and Jones returns to the track.

Chase Elliott reports that the right rear tire blew apart and that is why he crashed.

Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 192 with Daniel Suarez alongside. Blaney and Suarez go side by side before Ryan Blaney gets out in front.

Lap 183, the top five are Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, William Byron, and Austin Dillon.

William Byron passes Daniel Suarez for third.

Lap 185, William Byron passes Ross Chastain for second.

Tyler Reddick gets loose on the track but saves the car and keeps it off the wall. The track stays green.

Lap 195,Ryan Blaney and William Byron battle for the lead.

Chris Buescher brings out the tenth caution flag of the race when he gets loose and makes a run through the grass.

Several drivers come down pit road for service.

Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 201 with William Byron alongside. There is a lot of contact between drivers all through the field.

Ryan Blaney holds on to the lead with William Byron, Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, and Kyle Larson.

Six laps to go in stage two: Ryan Blaney leads the race by over half a second on Ross Chastain; William Byron, Brad Keselowski, and Daniel Suarez round out the top five.

Ryan Blaney wins stage two for his fifth stage win at Texas.

The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Ryan Blaney
Ros Chastain
William Byron
Brad Keselowski
Daniel Suarez
Austin Dillon
Austin Cindric
Joey Logano
Martin Truex Jr
Michael McDowell

Drivers come down pit road for service with Kyle Larson winning the race off of pit road after taking fuel only.

William Byron has been having radio issues all through the race.

Michael McDowell no longer has fourth gear.

Denny Hamlin’s crew had an issue getting the tires changed during his pit stop.

It has gotten cloudy over Texas Motor Speedway with showers in the area.

After making several laps under caution flag conditions, NASCAR has brought the cars down pit road and displayed the red flag at 6:48pmEDT. Many of the drivers are out of their cars but the cars have not been covered.

Noting that the 14 car is bad and they can’t get it right, Chase Briscoe noted that they might go over to Home Depot and get a kitchen sink to throw at it.

Lightening is in the area at 6:55pmEDT and they are now in a 30 minute delay. The area must be clear of lightening for 30 minutes before the race can resume. Each time there is a lightening strike within the eight mile limit, the 30 minute clock is reset.

At 7:35pmEDT NASCAR has called the drivers to their cars and the cars have been uncovered in preparation for returning to racing.

With the sun setting soon, the temperatures will be much cooler and the cars faster.

At 7:44pm EDT the red flag has been withdrawn and the caution flag is out.

Michael McDowell leads the race and brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 224 with Erik Jones alongside. McDowell and Jones go side by side fo over a lap before McDowell edges out for the lead. Erik Jones scrapes the wall trying to move up on the outside of McDowell.

Tyler Reddick and Erik Jones battle for second place on lap 227.

Lap 227, Tyler Reddick passes Michael McDowell for the lead.

Erik Jones passes Michael McDowell for second.

Lap 229, the top five are Tyler Reddick, Erik Jones, Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, and Harrison Burton.

Lap 230, Kevin Harvick passes Harrison Burton for fifth. Tyler Reddick has a half second lead on Erik Jones.

Track temperatures have dropped 20 degrees since the rains came through. The wind has also shifted.

Lap 233, third place driver Chris Buescher is running the fastest laps on the track.

Lap 234, Tyler Reddick has a half second lead on Erik Jones; Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

William Byron and Harrison Burton battle for sixth with Brad Keselowski on their bumper.

Lap 237, Tyler Reddick holds a half second lead on Erik Jones; Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five. William Byron in ninth place is the only playoff driver in the top 10.

Lap 240, Aric Almirola gets up the track but the track stays green.

Lap 242, Chris Buescher brings out the 12th caution flag with a flat tire.

Several drivers come down pit road for service. With 90 laps remaining in the race, the drivers are not in their pit windows to finish the race.

After taking only two tires, Kyle Larson wins the race off of pit road.

Kevin Harvick brings the field down for the green flag restart with Martin Truex Jr alongside on lap 248 and gets out in front after a push from William Byron.

The top five are Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr, Harrison Burton, William Byron, and Ross Chastain.

Lap 249, William Byron passes Harrison Burton for third.

Lap 253, Kevin Harvick brings out the record tying 13th caution flag of the race when he blows a tire and gets into the wall. Harvick limps the car back to pit road.

Still not in the fuel window to make it to the end of the race, only a few drivers come down pit road for serivce.

There are 28 cars on the lead lap.

Martin Truex Jr brings the field down for the green flag restart with William Byron alongside on lap 259. Getting a push from Austin Dillon, Truex gets out in front for the lead with William Byron in second; Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.

Lap 260, William Byron begins to challenge Martin Truex Jr for the lead.

Lap 261, Denny Hamlin nad William Byron battle for second and make contact. Austin Dillon comes up on the outside and passes them both for second.

Lap 264 Martin Truex Jr leads the race with Austin Dillon in second; Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.

Lap 266, there are 28 cars on the lead lap with five cars out of the race.

Lap 268, Martin Truex Jr gets into the wall with a blown tire; bringing out the record breaking 14th caution flag of the race. Truex is stopped on the track with the window net down. The tires are lasting only about 35 to 40 laps before the right rear tire blows.

In response to some contact that nearly sent William Byron into the wall; Byron sent Hamlin into the grass. Under caution, Hamlin hits Byron in the rear.

At the edge of their pit windows, the drivers come down pit road for service, Tyler Reddick wins the race off of pit road after taking two tires.

After staying out on the track, Ricky Stenhouse Jr brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 277 with Todd Gilliland alongside. Stenhouse edges out for the lead but Gilliland comes up on the outside to battle for the lead. Drivers are fanning out across the track in a battle for position.

With 57 laps remaining in the race, Ricky Stenhouse Jr leads the race with Todd Gilliland in second; Tyler Reddick Chase Briscoe, and Joey Logano rounding out the top five.

Tyler Reddick passes Todd Gilliland for second with 55 laps to go.

Wtih 54 laps to go, Tyler Reddick passes Ricky Stenhouse Jr for the lead and pulls away.

Fifty to go, Tyler Reddick has a lead of over half a second on Ricky Stenhouse Jr; Todd Gilliland, Joey Logano, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.

Chris Beuscher is off the track. Alex Bowman six laps down is the only driver on the track not on the lead lap.

With 45 laps to go, Tyler Reddick has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Ricky Stenhouse Jr; Joey Logano, Todd Gilliland, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.

Forty to go, Tyler Reddick holds his lead of over a second on Joey Logano; Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Todd Gilliland, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.

Running the fastest lap on the track, oey Logano closes the on leader Tyler Reddick to a second. Logano is using his last set of tires.

With 37 laps to go, Tyler Reddick has incread his lead on Joey Logano to nearly a second and a half.

Lap 300, Austin Cindric spins out trying to avoid Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Ricky Stenhouse Jr also spins out and gets into the wall.

Some of the drivers come down pit road for service and a final set of tires..

Lap 306, Tyler Reddick brings the field down for the green flag restart with Joey Logano on the outside. Reddick jumps out in front for the lead.

Aric Almirola brings out the caution flag when he spins out. He makes contact with Ross Chastain during the spin and casusing some damage to Chastain’s car. Almirola reports that he is very loose.

Joey Logano reports that he has a vibration in the right rear of his car.

Ross Chastain comes down pit road for repairs.

Tyler Reddick brings the field down for the green flag restart with Joey Logano on the outside on lap 317. Drivers get three wide across the track. Tyler Reddick and Joey Logano go side by side before Reddick gets out in front to hold on to the lead.

After their on track altercation, Denny Hamlin and William Byron start together.

Noah Gragson gets loose and moves up the track; falling through the field and losing 12 spots.

William Byron and Kyle Larson put Michael McDowell in the middle as they pass him on eighter side.

Tyler Reddick has a one second lead on Joey Logano.

Lap 317, Denny Hamlin gets loose and moves up the track and loses several spots.

Just 13 laps to go, Tyler Reddick has a lead of over a second on Joey Logano; Justin Haley, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.

Kyle Larson gets loose and nearly hits the wall but saves the car and only loses a few spots.

Ten to go, Tyler Reddick continues to lead the race with Joey Logano over a second behind; Justin Haley, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Brisoce round out the top five.

Five to go, Tyler Reddick holds on to the lead with Joey Logano over a second back with 26 cars on the lead lap.

Tyler Reddick takes the white flag.

Having already won a race this season, the streak of 19 different drivers does not change, but this is the fourth week in a row that a non-playoff driver has won the race.

The unofficial results of the Autotrader Echopark Automotive 500:
Tyler Reddick
Joey Logano
Justin Haley
Ryan Blaney
Chase Briscoe
Erik Jones
William Byron
Brad Keselowski
Kyle Larson
Denny Hamlin
Michael McDowell
Daniel Suarez
Ross Chastain
Corey LaJoie
Austin Cindric
Ty Dillon
Austin Dillon
Harrison urton
Kevin Harvick
Ty Gibbs
Noah Gragson
Landon Cassill
Garrett Smithley
Aric Almirola
Bubba Wallace
BJ McLeod
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Alex Bowman
Chris Buescher
Martin Truex Jr
Chase Elliott
Cody Ware
Christopher Bell
Cole Custer
Kyle Busch