Arizona’s Alex Bowman muscles past Denny Hamlin with 10 laps remaining to check off his first victory of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.
RICHMOND – August 18, 2021 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK
The NASCAR Cup Series located to Richmond, Virginia for the Toyota Owners 400 hosted by Richmond International Raceway on Sunday. This event was be the 9th points scheduled race of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Season.
After winning the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville last weekend, Martin Truex Jr. became the first repeat winner in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series. Truex had the opportunity to win back-to-back Cup races at the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Sunday.
Toyota Owners 400 – Stage 1 Recap:
Denny Hamlin dominated Stage 1 honors, racking up points, still in quest of his first win of the 2021 NASCAR Cup season.
Toyota Owners 400 -Stage 1 Results:
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Martin Truex Jr
3. Joey Logano
4. William Byron
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Christopher Bell
7. Alex Bowman
8. Austin Dillon
9. Brad Keselowski
10. Kevin Harvick
Toyota Owners 400 – Stage 2 Recap:
As Stage 2 progresses, Martin Truex Jr. overtook Denny Hamlin for the lead entering lap 45.
Martin Truex Jr. unfortunately encountered brake issues while battling Denny Hamlin for the top position.
Denny Hamlin benefited by resuming the lead with only 25 laps to decide Stage 2. Brad Keselowski charged into third place, behind Martin Truex Jr.
Denny Hamlin adds Stage 2 checkers to his collection with a charging Martin Truex Jr. crossing the stripe one second behind the duel Stage winner.
History may not be of Denny Hamlin’s favor as (No Driver) who’s swept the first two Stages has ever won at the Final Stage/Race in the Commonwealth.
Toyota Owners 400 – Stage 2 Results:
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Martin Truex Jr
3. Joey Logano
4. Alex Bowman
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Matt DiBenedetto
7. Kyle Busch
8. William Byron
9. Christopher Bell
10. Aric Almirola
Toyota Owners 400 – Final Stage Recap:
Denny Hamlin is out front with 151 laps left in the race.
As the final Stage restarted, Joey Logano advanced past Martin Truex Jr. to capture second and set sights on race leader Denny Hamlin.
Race contenders Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin check in for green pit- row service on Lap 293. Martin Truex Jr. would be hammered with a costly speeding penalty shuffling his chances to win from back in the pack.
Final Caution flag out as Kevin Harvick’s right rear tire ‘let go’ in turn one slamming Harvick’s car into the safer barrier wall ending any chances of a Happy finish
An expedite pit service permits Denny Hamlin to regain position over Joey Logano by winning the race off pit row.
Alex Bowman pit service strategy under caution allowed his crew to dial his car to contend with leaders 10 to go.
Alex Bowman captureed his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2021 season after overtaking Hamlin on the final restart.
A 12 year void since the iconic No. 48 won at Richmond Raceway, Alex Bowman was a mere 15 year of age. Additionally the win was the first victory for the No. 48 since June 4, 2017.
Alex Bowman’s win in the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports came on the same day, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, made his debut in the IndyCar Series in Alabama.
Toyota Owners 400 – Race Reasuls:
1. Alex Bowman
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Joey Logano
4. Christopher Bell
5. Martin Truex Jr
6. Aric Almirola
7. William Byron
8. Kyle Busch
9. Matt DiBenedetto
10. Austin Dillon
11. Ryan Blaney
12. Chase Elliott
13. Kurt Busch
14. Brad Keselowski
15. Ross Chastain
16. Daniel Suarez
17. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
18. Kyle Larson
19. Erik Jones
20. Tyler Reddick
21. Corey LaJoie
22. Chase Briscoe
23. Cole Custer
24. Kevin Harvick
25. Chris Buescher
26. Bubba Wallace
27. Michael McDowell
28. Austin Cindric
29. Ryan Preece
30. Ryan Newman
31. Anthony Alfredo
32. BJ McLeod
33. James Davison
34. Quin Houff
35. Garrett Smithley
36. Cody Ware
37. Josh Bilicki
38. Justin Haley
The NASCAR Cup Series travels to Talladega, Alabama for the Geico 500 hosted by Talladaga Speedway (“The Biggest and Fastest”) Sunday, April 25, 2021 / Fox / Sirius XM Nascar 90
