Aric Almirola withstands a Late Surge from Rookie Sensation Christopher Bell earning a Playoff Berth courtesy of Mother Nature in the Northeast.
Loudon, N.H. – July 18, 2021 – Anthony Holbrook
The NASCAR Cup locates to New Hampshire for the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301, Sun. July 18th hosted by New Hampshire Motor Speedway. NASCAR Cup Champion Kyle Busch wins pole position as inclement clouds invade the Loudon vicinity.
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 – Stage 1 Recap:
Three-time NHMS winner Kyle Busch led the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 field to green, breaking clean establishing early real-estate from his JGR teammate Martin Truex Jr in 2nd.
NASCAR officials receives driver’s reports of “mist pockets” covering windshields. Mist pockets eventually dampen sections of the track’s driving surface as racing competition continues. Three laps later race leader Kyle Busch and JGR teammate Martin Truex Jr. spin out due to lack of traction. Busch collects the Turn 1 safety barrier wall introducing unrepairable damage to rear quadrant Busch’s Toyota. Martin Truex Jr. will be able to limp back to racing activities as Kyle Busch’s Toyota directed to his hauler. NASCAR delayed the continuation of event until surface dry.
After a weather delay of nearly two hours after the crash incident, racing resumed.
Ryan Blaney flexes Chase Elliot pronouncing his car to contend with by winning the introductory Stage 1.
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 – Stage 1 Results
- Ryan Blaney
- Brad Keselowski
- Chase Elliott
- Kevin Harvick
- Tyler Reddick
- Christopher Bell
- Denny Hamlin
- Ross Chastain
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Kyle Larson
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 – Stage 2 Recap:
Drama still “carries over” in Stage 2 as Ryan Newman and Quin Houff tangle to enlighten tempers.
Aric Almirola in noticed engaged with verbal confrontation with Chase Elliott as aggression accelerated in the race’s second Stage.
Bubba Wallace collects Chris Buescher therefore descending any hopes of a positive finish for either.
Brad Keselowski captured his second stage win of the year after announcing his final season with Penske Racing earlier.
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 – Stage 2 Results:
- Brad Keselowski
- Kevin Harvick
- Ryan Blaney
- Denny Hamlin
- Aric Almirola
- Kyle Larson
- Chase Elliott
- Tyler Reddick
- Ross Chastain
- Kurt Busch
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 – Final Stage recap:
Aric Almirola led first on Lap 245 after race defying battles with Ryan Blaney. Both will vie for pit row service as Almirola’s pit crew propel him back on track in front of race contender Blaney.
NASCAR announced after the end of Stage 2 that the race would continue “until conditions dictate otherwise” and if the race had to be shortened, officials would announce 10 laps to go to the checkered flag with no overtime.
With 20 laps to go in the Final Stage; NASCAR determined the race would be called early for darkness, A Ten Lap completion warning issued.
With 10 to go, Almirola confronts lap traffic as rival Austin Dillion appears in picture.
Aric Almirola to utilize Dillion to block a late surge from Rookie Christopher Bell, for the famed Lobster Trophy at the Monster Mile.
Aric Almirola snapped a 98-race winless streak and added New Hampshire to a rain-shortened win at Daytona in 2014 and Talladega in 2018 for his third victory in 374 races
Almirola, who entered 27th in the points standings, was the first driver out of the SHR pack that includes Kevin Harvick, Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe to take the checkered flag
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 – Final Stage results:
NASCAR Cup Series
New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, NH
1. (22) Aric Almirola, Ford, 293.
2. (9) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 293.
3. (11) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 293.
4. (15) Joey Logano, Ford, 293.
5. (7) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 293.
6. (12) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 293.
7. (10) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 293.
8. (20) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 293.
9. (5) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 293.
10. (6) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 293.
11. (14) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 293.
12. (2) Martin Truex, Jr., Toyota, 293.
13. (8) Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet, 293.
14. (21) Cole Custer, Ford, 293.
15. (29) Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Chevrolet, 293.
16. (4) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 292.
17. (13) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 292.
18. (3) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 292.
19. (24) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 292.
20. (31) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 292.
21. (16) William Byron, Chevrolet, 292.
22. (25) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, 292.
23. (26) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 292.
24. (28) Ryan Newman, Ford, 292.
25. (23) Michael McDowell, Ford, 292.
26. (18) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 292.
27. (19) Chase Briscoe #, Ford, 291.
28. (30) Justin Haley(i), Chevrolet, 291.
29. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford, 290.
30. (32) B.J. McLeod(i), Ford, 288.
31. (34) Cody Ware(i), Chevrolet, 285.
32. (27) Anthony Alfredo #, Ford, 285.
33. (33) Garrett Smithley(i), Chevrolet, 283.
34. (35) Josh Bilicki, Ford, 280.
35. (36) Quin Houff, Chevrolet, Accident, 187.
36. (37) James Davison, Chevrolet, Clutch, 40.
37. (1) Kyle Busch, Toyota, Accident, 8.
Average Speed of Race Winner: 99.004 mph.
Time of Race: 3 Hrs, 7 Mins, 52 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.697 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 6 for 47 laps.
Lead Changes: 14 among 10 drivers.
Lap Leaders: K. Busch 1-6;C. Elliott 7-23;K. Busch 24-25;C. Elliott 26-61;R. Blaney 62-77;B. Keselowski 78;K. Harvick 79-130;D. Hamlin 131;K. Harvick 132-145;B. Keselowski 146-197;R. Blaney 198-245;A. Almirola 246-250;R. Chastain 251-253;M. DiBenedetto 254-273;A. Almirola 274-293.
Leaders Summary: (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led) Kevin Harvick 2 times for 66 laps; Ryan Blaney 2 times for 64 laps; Brad Keselowski 2 times for 53 laps; Chase Elliott 2 times for 53 laps; Aric Almirola 2 times for 25 laps; Matt DiBenedetto 1 time for 20 laps; Kyle Busch 1 time for 6 laps; Ross Chastain 1 time for 3 laps; Kurt Busch 1 time for 2 laps; Denny Hamlin 1 time for 1 lap.
With 13 different drivers now having won a race and staked their claim to the playoff grid, only Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Tyler Reddick are on the plus side of the cut line among those who have yet to win. Just four more races remain in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season.
Playoff Standings: 1. Kyle Larson – 861 (4 Wins); 2. Martin Truex, Jr. – 696 (3 Wins); 3. Alex Bowman – 637 (3 Wins); 4. Kyle Busch – 740 (2 Wins); 5. Chase Elliott – 736 (2 Wins); 6. William Byron – 749 (1 Win); 7. Joey Logano – 733 (1 Win); 8. Ryan Blaney – 689 (1 Win); 9. Brad Keselowski – 676 (1 Win); 10. Kurt Busch – 552 (1 Win); 11. Christopher Bell – 532 (1 Win); 12. Michael McDowell – 448 (1 Win); 13. Aric Almirola – 377 (1 Win); 14. Denny Hamlin – 874 (Points Leader); 15. Kevin Harvick – 673; 16. Tyler Reddick – 596.
NASCAR takes a two-week break (Olympics observation) and returns Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen for the Go Bowling at the Glen. (3 p.m. ET, NBCSN) Siris XM NASCAR 90.
