Chase Elliott does it again at the twisty turns of the road course.
The 4th of July is a day of celebration for America, a day of independence. It is also a day to celebrate one of the most quintessential American sports alongside baseball. NASCAR. They did son in style traveling to one of the most beautiful tracks in the world: Road America, where Chase Elliott came up as big as the stage to get another road course win.
Bumping is Racing
Cup Series’ first-ever visit to Road America kicked off to a clean start. It was quite a smooth road course race for stack cars until Daniel Suarez broke down in the backstretch on lap 3. A complete electrical failure ended his race before it had a chance to begin.
Restart saw bumps and bruises as every single car seemed to trade paints with one another. Kyle Larson tried his luck passing polesitter William Byron, he went in a little too deep, ended up off the track, and lost three spots. Kyle Busch was on a roll midway through the first stage. He tarted 40th and was comfortably running in 16th.
Kyle Tilley hit the sand with one lap to go. He dug up quite the hole for himself, 15 minutes a tow hook later, he was out of the mess and his race was over. Pit road was closed so William Byron had to stick around to get the first Playoff point of the 4th of July. A point he didn’t necessarily want. It was better for him, and everybody for that matter, to pit and start the second stage with fresh tires. Nonetheless, it’d had to suffice and stops would have to wait.
No Caution? No? OK
Pit road was open for business right before the yellow turned into green for the start of stage 2. Leaders went in for fuel and tires: Larson, Byron, and A.J. Allmendinger, they all made their stops.
Martin Truex Jr. inherited the lead, it didn’t’ last long though. The 78 Camry was mobbed by Austin Cindric and Matt DiBenedetto at turn one, Cindric got the best out of the corner to take the lead. It was clear early one stage two was going to be a fight, Kyle Busch completed his climb to the top and went right at against the 33.
Cindric crumpled under pressure late in the stage, spinning himself on the grass, there was no caution to show for it but, his race was right there and then. Corey LaJoie hit the grass as well, yet again, no caution. His car-turned lawnmower rejoined the track as if nothing had happened.
The front of the pack did make it to pit road before the end of the stage this time around. Tyler Reddick found the lead, almost by accident thanks to the late pitstops, and managed to win stage two.
“Don’t Touch it”
Chase Elliott was on the verge of completing his comeback at the start of the final stage. The Napa #9 Chevy finally caught up and passed Busch with 24 laps to go. Meanwhile, a little bit down the pack, Michael McDowell held to a top ten finish by the edge of his teeth.
The final caution of the evening came out thanks to Anthony Alfredo’s blown tire in the sand. Most drivers came in for a final pitstop with 18 to go. Chase Elliott wanted absolutely nothing to change, “Don’t touch it” said the reigning champ to his crew chief.
Busch got the lead for a couple of laps until Elliott took it away from him with 15 to go. From that point on, no one came in close to catching him. Christopher Bell made quite a few moves late in the race to finish second. Alex Bowman on the other hand, saw his race end after spinning teammate Larson with no brakes left.
He did it at COTA, now he does it at Road America: Chase Elliott is your winner on Independence Day.
What’s Next for NASCAR?
The “Greatest Season Ever” will travel to more familiar territory next week. Atlanta Motor Speedway will host all three national series before heading out to New Hampshire.
Missed lst week’s race? Check it out HERE
Featured Image: Getty Images
