Bowman Gets 1st Win in Chicago

Alex Bowman – Driver of the No. 88 Hendrick Chevrolet holds off season veteran Kevin Harvick to captures his first Career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Victory at Chicagoland.

Joliet, Ill. – June 30, 2019 – Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 17th race of the 2019 season traveled to the Chicagoland Speedway, Sunday June 30, 2019  for the Camping World 400.  Located Southwest of Chicago in Joliet Illinois, Chicagoland Speedway is known for the noticeable curve on the 1.5 mile tri-oval back stretch.

Pole Sitter : Austin Dillion – Driver of the No. 3 Hendrick Chevrolet encumbered a 3 hour and 18 min rain delay after 10 laps in the event.

With the rain delay complete, caution was waved, and as most of the field opts for service, front leaders Austin Dillion and No. 48 Hendrick Driver – Jimmie Johnson stays out for track positioning.  The Hendrick powered teammates trade side drafts down the tricky backstretch and exchanging position back and forth early in the stage.

 As Dillion claims the front, Kevin Harvick’s No.4 Stuart-Hass Ford began his charge and at Lap 20 takes the point with aggression.  Flat tires haunted race leader Harvick and multiple other drivers as race teams pit for unexpected tire service, in closing stage laps.

Denny Hamblin-Driver of the No. 11 Gibbs Toyota took advantage of other misfortune and grabbed his third stage win of the season with a pit only fuel stop.  

        STAGE 1 Results

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Brad Keselowski
3. Michael McDowell
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Austin Dillon
6. Martin Truex Jr.
7. Kevin Harvick
8. William Byron
9. Alex Bowman
10. Kurt Busch

 STAGE 2

Leading 69 of 80 laps in Stage 2, Kevin Harvick controlled the pace after Stage 1 pit stops.  Harvick securing the lead, held off a hard charging No.9 Hendrick Driver – Chase Elliott to capture his fourth Stage victory of the year.

        STAGE 2 Results

1.  Kevin Harvick
2. Chase Elliott
3.  Kyle Larson
4. Alex Bowman
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Martin Truex Jr.
7. William Byron
8. Kurt Busch
9. Kyle Busch
10. Aric Almirola

        Final Stage

Alex Bowman accomplished a Life Goal by taking the checkers this Sunday at Chicagoland.  In order to succeed, Bowman battled Driver of the No. 42 Chevy – Kyle Larson to the final laps.  With 8 laps remaining Kyle Larson passed Bowman, regaining lead.  Alex Bowman seized the top spot from Larson within only two laps later and pulled away from the field.

Final Stage / Camping World 400 Results.

1. Alex Bowman
2. Kyle Larson
3. Joey Logano
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Ryan Blaney
7. Erik Jones
8. William Byron
9. Martin Truex Jr
10. Austin Dillon
11. Chase Elliott
12. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
13. Kurt Busch
14. Kevin Harvick
15. Denny Hamlin
16. Aric Almirola
17. Ryan Newman
18. Chris Buescher
19. Daniel Hemric
20. Michael McDowell
21. Paul Menard
22. Kyle Busch
23. David Ragan
24. Daniel Suarez
25. Bubba Wallace
26. Ross Chastain
27. Matt DiBenedetto
28. Ryan Preece
29. Matt Tifft
30. Corey LaJoie
31. Landon Cassill
32. Bayley Currey
33. Josh Bilicki
34. Reed Sorenson
35. Ty Dillon
36. BJ McLeod
37. Clint Bowyer
38. Quin Houff

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race No. 18 travels to Daytona International Speedway, Saturday July 6, 2019 for the Coke Zero Sugar 400    7:30 pm  NBC