Brad Wins in Kansas

Capitalizing on fresher tires, Brad Keselowski wins a thriller at Kansas.

Kansas City, KS – May 10, 2019 – Anthony Holbrook – Bluegrass Sports Nation NASCAR Columnist

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 12^th race of the season traveled to Kansas Speedway for the Digital Ally 400, Saturday May 11^th 2019.

The Construction of the 1.5 mile oval facility located on the outskirts of Kansas City vicinity completed track construction in 2011 and within 4 months hosted their first NASCAR Cup Race.

Stage 1

Kevin Harvick-Driver of the No. 4 Stuart-Hass Ford led the field to green under the lights and controlled the point early in the Stage 1 segment.  After the mandated competition caution on lap 30, majority of the Drivers opted to change on 2 tires for track position whereas Kevin Harvick completed a regular 4 tire change. This decision was profitable as Harvick’s No. 4 Chevy regained his lead and secured Stage 1 win.

Stage 1 Results

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Chase Elliott
3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
4. Kyle Larson
5. Kurt Busch
6. Chris Buescher
7. Clint Bowyer
8. Brad Keselowski
9. Erik Jones
10. Joey Logano

Stage 2

After the completion of Stage 1, Drivers continued to effectively use the 2 tire pit service for position advancement.  This allowed Chase Elliott-Driver of the Hendrick No. 9 Chevy to cut into Kevin Harvick’s lead after pit circulation. Eventually Elliott claimed the point as Harvick rustled with an ill handing Camaro in the final laps of Stage 2.  Taking advantage of Harvick’s mishaps, Chase Elliott wins his 2^nd Stage of the year.  

Stage 2 Results

1. Chase Elliott
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Erik Jones
4. Alex Bowman
5. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
6. Chris Buescher
7. Kurt Busch
8. Clint Bowyer
9. Kyle Busch
10. Kyle Larson

With 90 laps of completion of the Final Stage, Kevin Harvick brought his Chevy to pit for an unscheduled service to remove debris accumulated on the track, forfeiting his lead to Alex Bowman-Driver of the No. 88 Hendrick Chevy.

Only 40 laps of race completion, Bowman led the field to green ahead of Elliott, Buescher, Stenhouse and Bowyer. An impressive restart allowed Chase Elliott to pass Hendrick teammate Alex Bowman to regain the lead. The two continued until caution brought out by Driver of the No.12 Ford-Ryan Blaney.

As final laps ticked away, Brad Keselowski-Driver of the No. 2 Penske Ford, dialed in his Mustang to the front.  Keselowski was challenged by Alex Bowman with only ten laps remaining until the final caution was brought out by Leavine Family Racing No.95- Matt DiBenedetto.   Brad Keselowski opted to decline pit service stayed on track to hold off Alex Bowman to race victor. The victory was Keselowski’s 3rd of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule and 30^th career Cup trophy.

Final Stage / Digital Ally 400 Results

1. Brad Keselowski
2. Alex Bowman
3. Erik Jones
4. Chase Elliott
5. Clint Bowyer
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Kurt Busch
8. Kyle Larson
9. Tyler Reddick
10. Chris Buescher
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
12. Aric Almirola

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Daniel Suarez
3. Joey Logano
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Austin Dillon
6. Daniel Hemric
7. Martin Truex Jr.
8. William Byron
9. Matt Tifft
10. Corey LaJoie
11. Ryan Newman
12. Paul Menard
13. Ryan Preece
14. Michael McDowell
15. David Ragan
16. Ty Dillon
17. Bubba Wallace
18. Kyle Busch
19. Ross Chastain
20. Ryan Blaney
21. Bayley Currey
22. Quin Houff
23. Reed Sorenson
24. Matt DiBenedetto
25. Landon Cassill
26. Joey Gase
27. Timmy Hill
28. Cody Ware

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race locates to Charlotte Motor Speedway, Saturday May 18^th for the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race and completing the Charlotte Venues,  Sunday  May 26th (13^th season points race) for the Coca-Cola 600 / 6:00 pm  FOX  PRN