The All-Star Showdown is back once again to see those who have yet to win in the past season get a shot at going against NASCAR’s elite by racing their way into the All-Star race. Clint Bowyer would lead the field to green along with Ryan Blaney starting 2nd place.
On the start, the move of the first stage would be made by AJ Allmendinger making it 4-wide putting himself into 3rd place. Bowyer would control the field as he created a small gap to Blaney. Erik Jones would make his speed known flying past Allmendinger on lap 4.
The 14 of Bowyer would continue to extend his lead. Further back in the field Danica Patrick, Trevor Bayne, Regan Smith, and others would stack up battling for position.
On lap 12 Danica Patrick makes contact with Trevor Bayne causing Bayne to go sideways losing multiple positions.
In the final moments of stage 1, Erik Jones would close up on Blaney but not in enough time to get the position. Clint Bowyer would continue to pull away and win stage 1 leading all 20 laps.
Stage 2
Leading the field to the start of stage 2 was Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and Daniel Suarez. Blaney like Bowyer pulled away early from Chase Elliott.
With not much happening on lap 33 of the race, Austin Dillon gets loose under the #47 of Allmendinger. The contact would cut Allmendinger’s tire sending him to the garage. Chase Elliott would start closing in on Blaney late in the stage but Blaney would hang on winning stage 2.
Stage 3
After only taking 2 tires during pit stops Landon Cassill would lead the field to the green for stage 3. On the start, Chase Elliott makes contact with Cassill causing the Front Row Motorsports driver to spin onto the banking.
The crash helps promote rookie Daniel Suarez in the #19 car to the lead with Austin Dillon in the 2nd spot. Suarez would lead the field back to green with Chase Elliott and Erik Jones making quick work of Austin Dillon.
Chase Elliott and Erik Jones begin to chase down Suarez with 15 laps to go. Erik Jones would get back onto the cars of Suarez and Elliott before making a move which saw him go through the grass and destroying the front of his car ending his chances.
Daniel Suarez would take the green with 3 laps to go while Elliott got off slow on the start. Austin Dillon would stick to the side of Elliott while Suarez pulled away. Chase Elliott gets loose allowing Dillon to get the pass while Daniel Suarez goes on to win stage 3.
Moving onto the All-Star race will be the #14 of Clint Bowyer, the #21 of Ryan Blaney, the #19 of Daniel Suarez, and winning the fan vote and moving on will be the #24 of Chase Elliott.
Featured Image Credit – www.nascar.com
