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 12th race of the season traveled to Kansas Speedway for the Digital Ally 400, Saturday May 11th 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
- Kevin Harvick
- Chase Elliott
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Kyle Larson
- Kurt Busch
- Chris Buescher
- Clint Bowyer
- Brad Keselowski
- Erik Jones
- 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 2nd Stage of the year.
Stage 2 Results
- Chase Elliott
- Kevin Harvick
- Erik Jones
- Alex Bowman
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Chris Buescher
- Kurt Busch
- Clint Bowyer
- Kyle Busch
- 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 30th career Cup trophy.
Final Stage / Digital Ally 400 Results
- Brad Keselowski
- Alex Bowman
- Erik Jones
- Chase Elliott
- Clint Bowyer
- Jimmie Johnson
- Kurt Busch
- Kyle Larson
- Tyler Reddick
- Chris Buescher
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Aric Almirola
- Kevin Harvick
- Daniel Suarez
- Joey Logano
- Denny Hamlin
- Austin Dillon
- Daniel Hemric
- Martin Truex Jr.
- William Byron
- Matt Tifft
- Corey LaJoie
- Ryan Newman
- Paul Menard
- Ryan Preece
- Michael McDowell
- David Ragan
- Ty Dillon
- Bubba Wallace
- Kyle Busch
- Ross Chastain
- Ryan Blaney
- Bayley Currey
- Quin Houff
- Reed Sorenson
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Landon Cassill
- Joey Gase
- Timmy Hill
- Cody Ware
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race locates to Charlotte Motor Speedway, Saturday May 18th for the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race and completing the Charlotte Venues, Sunday May 26th (13th season points race) for the Coca-Cola 600 / 6:00 pm FOX PRN