Capping off the triple header weekend at Darlington Speedway is the Cup Series with the Goodyear 400.
Thirty-seven teams brought cars to Darlington for 40 starting spots; all drivers will make the race.
Known as the track too tough to tame, the drivers say that they don’t know what to expect with a softer tire and more horsepower in the cars.
After winning the race in 1984, Darrell Waltrip noted that you have to race the track, not the other drivers.
Not an official throwback weekend, several of the teams are running throwback paint schemes including Carson Hocevar who is driving a replica Dale Earnhardt Wrangler blue and yellow paint scheme. The RFK Racing drivers are sporting paint schemes that were on cars Greg Biffle ran.
The drivers have been divided into two groups for practice and will have 25 minutes for each group and just one set of tires.
Timmy Hill spins out to bring out the red flag but keeps the car off the wall. NASCAR has added a few minutes to the clock due to the incident.
Ricky Stenhouse has Jack Links jerkey for a sponsor and there is a message on the car “Non Vegan!”.
Justin Allgaier is driving the 48 car at Darlington and the next two races while Alex Bowman continues to recover from vertigo issues.
Carson Hocevar got into the wall and had to have his rear tow link replaced. Larry McReynolds checked with NASCAR and it is an approved adjustment. Hocevar will be allowed to start where he qualifies.
Darlington and Rockingham are about an hour apart but are both in the sand hills of the Carolinas. The sand is everywhere blowing and beating the cars.
Erik Jones topped the leaderboard in group one practice with a time of 29.925 seconds.
Fourth overall, Daniel Suarez topped the leaderboard in group two. Tyler Reddick led in multiple lap times.
Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher, and Timmy Hill’s cars failed the inspection process twice and will lose their car chiefs for the remainder of the weekend; they will also lose their pit stall selections.
The first driver on the track to make a qualifying run is Timmy Hill who posted a time of 32.044 seconds.
Todd Gilliland is the first driver to break the 30 second mark with a time of 29.997 seconds.
Several of the drivers have bettered their practice times by around a second.
With a time of 29.072 seconds, Tyler Reddick put his number 45 car on the pole with teammate Bubba Wallace alongside on the front row. This is Reddick’s 13th pole.
The starting lineup for the Goodyear 400:
Tyler Reddick
Bubba Wallace
Chase Elliott
Kyle Larson
Brad Keselowski
Chris Buescher
Ryan Blaney
Kyle Busch
Denny Hamlin
Austin Dillon
Daniel Suarez
Austin Cindric
William Byron
Riley Herbst
Justin Allgaier
Carson Hocevar
Ryan Preece
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Zane Smith
Michael McDowell
John Hunter Nemechek
Christopher Bell
Chase Briscoe
Erik Jones
Ross Chastain
Josh Berry
AJ Allmendinger
Ty Gibbs
Joey Logano
Noah Gragson
Todd Gilliland
Connor Zilisch
Shane van Gisbergen
Cody Ware
Cole Custer
Ty Dillon
Timmy Hill
Stage one is 90 laps, stage two is 95 laps, and stage three is 108 laps for a total of 293 laps around the 1.3 mile track.
New NASCAR Hall of Famers Kurt Busch and Harry Gant give the command to start engines.
Tyler Reddick brings the field down for the green flag start of the race with teammate Bubba Wallace alongside. And a “boogity, boogity, boogity, let’s go racing boys” from Darrell Waltrip! Tyler Reddick takes the lead with Bubba Wallace in second.
Lap three, Tyler Reddick is reporting a possible voltage issue.
The op five are Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher.
Lap four, drivers are getting three wide in a battle for position.
Lap six, Tyler Reddick has pulled out to a one second lead on Bubba Wallace; Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.
The crew has told Tyler Reddick to cut off all un-essential equipment including driver cooling equipment in order to preserve voltage.
Lap 10, Tyler Reddick has pulled out to a near second and a half lead on Bubba Wallace; Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.
Lap 15, Tyler Reddick continues to increase his lead and is now two seconds out in front of teammate Bubba Wallace; Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher rounding out the top five.
Lap 16, Brad Keselowski passes Kyle Larson for third.
Tyler Reddick reports that he has 12.7 volts and the alternator light is off.
Lap 20, Tyler Reddick’s lead is down to less than two seconds on Bubba Wallace; Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.
After having to replace more parts after getting into the wall, Carson Hocevar started the race from the back of the field, but has moved up to 28th.
Lap 26, Tyler Reddick has led every lap so far; Bubba Wallace, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, and Chris Bueshcer round out the top five.
Lap 30. Tyler Reddick has pulled out to a two second lead on Bubba Wallace; Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Timmy Hill is off the track and on pit road; laps down.
Lap 33, leader Tyler Reddick has encountered slower traffic.
Joey Logano is reporting that his car has no rear grip.
There are 33 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 37, Tyler Reddick now has a lead of over two and a half seconds on Bubba Wallace as drivers begin making green flag pit stops.
Lap 40, Tyler Reddick has a near three second lead on Bubba Wallace.
Lap 41, Bubba Wallace makes his pit stop.
Lap 44, the top 10 drivers including leader Tyler Reddick have yet to make their pit stops.
Lap 45, Tyler Reddick finally makes his pit stop and has a slow pit stop.
Brad Keselowski is the new leader with Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, and Austin Cindric rounding out the top five.
Tyler Reddick returns to the race in seventh place. He reports his voltage is down to 12.5.
Lap 50, Brad Keselowski has a near two second lead on Ryan Blaney; Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.
Lap 54, Brad Keselowski has pulled out to a lead of over three seconds on Ryan Blaney; Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, and Chris Buescher round out the top five. Tyler Reddick passed Austin Cindric for sixth.
Lap 57, Tyler Reddick enters the top five after passing Chris Buescher; Brad Keselowski has a near three and a half second lead on Ryan Blaney.
Tyler Reddick is running a partial throttle and has increased his voltage to 12.7.
Timmy Hill is off the track. There are 23 cars on the lead lap with Justin Allgaier the last car on the lead lap.
Lap 63, Brad Keselowski has a lead of over three seconds on Ryan Blaney; Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Lap 64, Timmy Hill returns to the race 18 laps down.
Lap 70, once down over 10 seconds, Tyler Reddick has cut Brad Keselowski’s lead down to just over seven seconds.
Timmy Hill is off the track again.
Lap 72, Brad Keselowski’s lead is down to under two seconds on Ryan Blaney; Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Timmy Hill is out of the race.
Lap 77, Tyler Reddick has passed Kyle Larson for fourth.
Lap 80, Tyler Reddick has passed Bubba Wallace for third.
Lap 82, with Brad Keselowski’s lead down to under two and a half seconds; Tyler Reddick has closed the gap to under five seconds.
Five laps remain in stage one, Brad Keselowski has a lead under two seconds on Ryan Blaney; Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
With three laps remaining in stage one, Tyler Reddick passes Ryan Blaney for second.
Brad Keselowski wins stage one.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Brad Keselowski
Tyler Reddick
Ryan Blaney
Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson
Chris Bueschder
Chase Elliott
Austin Cindric
Daniel Suarez
William Byron
Michael McDowell in 21st is the “lucky dog”.
Tyler Reddick comes down pit road while pit road is still closed to work on the voltage issue. They installed a larger battery in the car. Reddick will have to restart the race from the back of the longest line.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Kyle Larson winning the race off of pit road. Ryan Blaney had to make a stop in another pit stall to tighten a lug nut and will have to restart the race from back of the longest line for pitting outside of his pit box. Kyle Busch has a long pit stop. Michael McDowell was caught speeding on pit road.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag start of the race with Chris Buescher alongside on lap 101. Larson jumps out in front for the lead with Chris Buescher for second; Brad Keselowski, William Byron, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
Brad Keselowski passes Chris Buescher for second.
Drivers are getting three wide.
Lap 104, Tyler Reddick is in 18th place after the restarting the race in 33rd.
Lap 108, Kyle Larson has just a third of a second lead on Brad Keselowski; Chris Buescher, William Byron, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
The caution flag comes out on lap 112 for a crash involving Denny Hamlin and Erik Jones, with Bubbal Wallace caught up in the melee.
Shane van Gisbergen is the “lucky dog”.
Drivers come down pit road for service. Kyle Larson reports a small vibration. Kyle Larson wins the race off of pit road with Chris Buescher edging out Brad Keselowski by inches.
Michael McDowell was caught speeding on pit road again. Bubba Wallace was charged with pitting while pit road was closed and will have to restart the race from the back of the longest line.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 117 with Brad Keselowski alongside.
Brad Keselowski passes Kyle Larson for the lead.
Lap 118, the top five are Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Preece.
Thirteen cars took the wave around on the restart.
Tyler Reddick has moved up two spots to 16th.
After the wreck, Denny Hamlin is moving through the field and is up to sixth place.
Tyler Reddick is reporting a brake pedal issue. The 23XI team has had consistent brake issues all season.
RFK Racing the three of the top four spots in the field.
Lap 126, the top five are Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, and Denny Hamlin.
Lap 131, Brad Keselowski has a near two second lead on teammate Chris Buescher with the third RFK driver Ryan Preece in third; Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Car issues and all, Tyler Reddick is up to 13th.
Bubba Wallace has gotten into the wall again and is now one lap down 35th.
Lap 138, the wave around cars have begun to make their green flag pit stops.
Cody Ware was caught speeding on pit road and will have to serve a passthrough penalty.
Lap 140, brad Keselowski has a two and a half second lead on Chris Buescher; Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Preece round out the top five.
Lap 145, more drivers make their pit stops.
Lap 146, leader Brad Keselowski makes his green flag pit stop. Chase Elliott is the new leader with Tyler Reddick in second.
Lap 151, leader Chase Elliott comes down pit road giving the lead back to Brad Keselowski.
The top five are Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Chase Briscoe.
Lap 157, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin battle for third with Brad Keselowski leading the race. Tyler Reddick is just outside the top 10 in eleventh.
Lap 162, Brad Keselowski passes Cole Custer to put Custer one lap down.
Brad Keselowski has just a half second lead on Chris Buescher; Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.
Tyler Reddick has just entered the top 10.
Lap 167, there are 27 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 168, Chris Buescher has caught leader and teammate Brad Keselowski; Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five. Tyler Reddick is now in ninth place.
Just 13 laps remain in stage two with Brad Keselowski leading the race with Chris Buscher less than half a second back; Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.
The shadows are starting to creep over the wall and will change the track.
Lap 177, Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski battle for the lead.
Now in sixth place, Tyler Reddick reports that the voltage is 12.7 and has had no further reports of brake issues.
Denny Hamlin reports something is moving in the back of the car; reporting a possible flat tire or loose wheel.
Five laps to go in the stage, Chris Buescher again challenges leader Brad Keselowski.
Denny Hamlin has dropped to tenth; Tyler Reddick is now in the top five.
Daniel Suarez passes Denny Hamlin for 10th.
Brad Keselowski wins stage two for the stage sweep.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Brad Keselowski
Chris Buescher
Kyle Larson
Chase Briscoe
Tyler Reddick
Ryan Preece
William Byron
Austin Cindric
Ty Gibbs
Daniel Suarez
Zane Smith is the “lucky dog”.
Denny Hamlin finally made a stop on pit road before the end of the stage. They believe the issue was a loose wheel.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Brad Keselowski edging out Kyle Larson for the race off of pit road.
Ross Chastain was caught speeding on pit road. Denny Hamlin will have to restart the race from the back of the field after pitting while pit road was closed.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 194 with Chris Buescher alongside. Keselowski gets out in front with Chase Briscoe in second; Chris Buescher, Kyle Larson, and William Byron round out the top five.
Chase Briscoe takes the lead.
Christoher Bell gets into the wall but the track stays green
Riley Herbst hits the wall head on to bring out the caution flag on lap 197.
Todd Gilliland is the “lucky dog”.
Drivers come down pit road for fresh tires. Six drivers stayed out on the track including Chris Buescher.
Chris Buescher brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 203 with Ty Gibbs alongside. Buescher gets out in front for the lead but Ty Gibbs passes to take the lead.
Lap 205, Chris Buescher takes the lead; Ty Gibbs, Daniel Suarez, Chase Brisocoe, and Shane van Gisbergen round out the top five.
Lap 208, Brad Keselowski passes Shane van Gisbergen for fifth.
Lap 209, Chris Buescher has a one second lead on Ty Gibbs; Daneil Suarez, Chase Brisoce, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Lap 213, in the where did he come from category; Carson Hocevar (aka The Hurricane) is now in 10th place.
Lap 215, Chris Buescher has a near two second lead on Ty Gibbs; Daniel Suarez, Chase Brisoce, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Lap 220, the top five are Chris Buescher, Ty Gibbs, Chase Brisoce, Brad Keselowski, and Tyler Reddick.
Lap 227, Chase Briscoe and Brad Keselowski battle for third with Tyler Reddick lurking behind in fifth.
Lap 228, the top five are Chris Buescher, Ty Gibbs, Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Briscoe.
Carson Hocevar passed William Byron for seventh.
Lap 230, Brad Keselowski passed Ty Gibbs for second. Tyler Reddick passes Gibbs for third.
Lap 232, Chris Buescher has a two second lead on Brad Keselowski; Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.
With 61 laps remaining in the race, the drivers will have to make another pit stop.
Lap 234, Brad Keselowski has cut Chris Buescher’s lead to just over a second.
Lap 236, Chris Buescher has just a half second lead on Brad Keselowski; Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.
Lap 239, Brad Keselowski has caught leader Chris Buescher and is just two tenths of a second back.
Lap 240, drivers begin making green flag pit stops.
Lap 241, Brad Keselowski passes Chris Buescher for the lead. Tyler Reddick passes Chris Buescher for second. Buescher and Reddick make contact during the pass. Buescher was coming down to make a pit stop and Reddick didn’t know it.
Leader Brad Keselowski makes his pit stop and gives the lead over to Tyler Reddick.
Lap 246, leader Tyler Reddick makes his green flag pit stop. Brad Keselowski retakes the lead.
With 44 laps remaining in the race, Brad Keselowski leads the race with Chase Briscoe in second; Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Tyler Reddick is running the fastest laps on the track.
With 38 laps remaining in the race, Brad Keselowski has a near two second lead on Chase Briscoe with Tyler Reddick in third place just over two seconds back; Ty Gibbs and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Lap 258, Tyler Reddick passes Chase Briscoe for second and is less than two seconds behind leader Brad Keselowski.
Lap 261, Tyler Reddick has closed the gap to under a second on Brad Keselowski.
Lap 262, Brad Keselowski’s lead is down to just half a second on Tyler Reddick.
Just 30 laps remaining in the race, Tyler Reddick is just two tenths of a second behind leader Brad Keselowski.
Lap 265, the battle begins for the lead with Tyler Reddic getting out in front with 28 laps remaining in the race and is pulling away.
The top five are Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, and Ty Gibbs.
Hurricane Hocevar passes Kyle Larson for 10th and aims for ninth place Daniel Suarez.
With 23 laps to go, Tyler Reddick has a lead of over a second on Brad Keselowski; Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five with Carson Hocevar in ninth place after starting the race from the back of the field.
The crew has asked Tyler Reddick three times about his voltasge and Reddick has been quiet on the radio.
Hurricane Hocevar continues to move through the field and is now in eighth place – the highest placing Chevrolet.
Sixteen to go, Tyler Reddick has a lead of over two seconds on Brad Keselowski; Hurricane Hocevar is up to seventh place.
Just 13 laps remaining in the race, Tyler Reddick has a lead of three seconds on Brad Keselowski and Hurricane Hocevar has entered the top five!
Eleven to go, the top five are Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, and Carson Hocevar.
Nine to go, Tyler Reddick’s lead is now three and a half seconds on Brad Keselowski.
Six to go, Hurricane Hocevar just passed Chase Briscoe for fourth place.
Kyle Larson is two laps down with car issues and nearly out of control.
Four to go, Tyler Reddick is nearly five seconds out in front.
NASCAR has issued a warning to Kyle Larson for not making minimum speed.
Tyler Reddick takes the white flag!
Tyler Reddick wins his fourth race of the season! An alternator issue, battery replacement, and coming from the back of the field didn’t slow Reddick down. And still had the energy for a big burnout. Stopping the car on the start/finish line, son Beau runs up yelling “daddy, daddy!” And Beau gets the flag.
Reddick noted that there is just something so special abut Darlington.
And Beau gets a ride to Victory Lane.
Mike Joy called Reddick’s performance one of the gutsiest ever with all the issues, no cooling equipment.
The unofficial results of the Goodyear 400:
Tyler Reddick
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Blaney
Carson Hocevar
Austin Cindric
Ty Gibbs
Daniel Suarez
William Byron
Chris Buescher
Erik Jones
Denny Hamlin
Chase Briscoe
Ryan Preece
Shane van Gisbergen
Chase Elliott
Ross Chastain
Josh Berry
Connor Zilisch
Michael McDowell
Kyle Busch
Zane Smith
Todd Gilliland
Jusitn Allgaier
Austin Dillon
Noah Gragson
John Hunter Nemechek
Cole Custer
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
AJ Allmendinger
Ty Dillon
Kyle Larson
Joey Logano
Bubba Wallace
Riley Herbst
Cody Ware
Timmy Hill