William Byron collects the rain-shortened Quaker State 400 Trophy at HotLanta
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – July 9, 2023 – Anthony Holbrook
The 20th NASCAR Cup Series point’s race of the 2023 campaign was hostedby the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Sunday July 9 th , 2023. The 1.54-mile refurbished Quad Oval Asphalt intermediate track located in Hampton, Georgia was reconfigured in 2021 completing one season of racing events under its new alignment, inviting 260 scheduled laps of NASCAR Cup racing.
Aric Almirola and Ryan Blaney qualified to the honor of leading the field to green. The Blue oval
reputation of running cool at Hotlanta may be challenged with approaching weather
alterations.
Stage 1 – Recap:
Quaker State 400 available at Walmart
Aric Almirola will battle Ryan Blaney for the opening lead separating from Blaney by choosing
the outside express lane.
Previous Atlanta race winner Joey Logano works his way to the front as 20 laps remain. Ryan
Blaney will shake up the field bumping Aric Almirola back to the post counting 18 to go in Stage
- In addition, Blaney continues to play Car Chess as Ryan bolts his oval teammate Joey Logano
to the lead 6 laps later.
A plan perfectly executed by Ryan Blaney’s race team as he sharpshoots inside race leader Joey
Logano to inherit the lead with 3 circuits surviving.
Ryan Blaney prevails as Stage 1 winner at HotLanta!
Stage 1 – Results:
Quaker State 400 available at Walmart
- Ryan Blaney
- Kyle Larson
- Martin Truex Jr
- Joey Logano
- William Byron
- Christopher Bell
- Austin Cindric
- Michael McDowell
- Tyler Reddick
- Aric Almirola
Stage 2 – Recap:
Quaker State 400 available at Walmart
Blaney leads the field to the pit lane, but Larson wins the race to the pit exit. Martin Truex Jr
gets turned as he’s leaving his pit stall.
The opening of Stage 2 continues to highlight the epic battle between Logano and Blaney quest
for the lead. Ryan will resume the lead only to be challenged in the future by worthy
competitors.
20 laps in the Stage, William Byron will be bolted by Corey Lajoie sending the previous race
leader out of control enticing a strategic caution flag. With race teams monitoring impending
weather, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Preece and Bubba Wallace decline pit service while most of the
field hit pit lane.
Corey Lajoie continued to impact the race as he is bumped out of control in front of the field
collecting major race contenders Gibbs and Ross Chastain and others in the domino collision.
Lingering storm clouds motivates Cup Champ Brad Keselowiski as he approaches Austin Cindric
for the lead.
Previous Penskee teammate Ryan Blaney shows Blue Oval loyalty bumping Brad Keselowiski to
the front.
A closing caution courtesy of a confrontation between Denny Hamlin and Alex Bowman allows
Brad Keselowiski to secure the lead as he guards off approaching danger. Brad Keselowski
collects Stage 2 Win under the Caution flag.
Stage 2 – Results:
Quaker State 400 available at Walmart
- Brad Keselowski
- Ryan Blaney
- Chris Buescher
- Austin Cindric;
- AJ Allmendinger
- Bubba Wallace
- Justin Haley
- Michael McDowell
- Christopher Bell
- Ryan Preece
Final Stage Recap –
Quaker State 400 available at Walmart
With teams anticipating the stated race to be announced early in the final stage, strategies will
be accelerated as weathered clouds invade the Hampton vicinity area. Drivers will be racing
the storm in quest to be the lap leader when weather interrupts racing activities.
William Byron teams with Michael McDowell boosting him to the forefront only to be
overtaken by A J Allmendinger as teams monitor incoming inclement weather.
William Byron chance to challenge for the lead displayed on Lap 94 with the help of Daniel
Suarez bumper horn. Viewing from the front, William Byron has an opportunity to hit his
preferred lines as the competition and storms advance. Aggressive driving opens doors for
accidents as Ryan Preece is tagged by Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. with Bubba
Wallce collected in the aftermath inviting a final Caution.
As Storms cover the track facility and for the safety of those racing and of attendance, Nascar
officials without hesitant called the Quaker State 400 race.
William Byron was awarded the Quaker State 400 race win adjoining to his 3 previous season
victories during his 2023 Playoff campaign.
Atlanta Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series
Quaker State 400 available at Walmart
July 09, 2023
Results:
Pos | Driver
- William Byron
- Daniel Suarez
- AJ Allmendinger
- Michael McDowell
- Kyle Busch
- Brad Keselowski
- JJ Yeley
- Ryan Blaney
- Justin Haley
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr
- Erik Jones
- Chris Buescher
- Chase Elliott
- Austin Cindric
- Todd Gilliland
- Denny Hamlin
- Joey Logano
- Aric Almirola
- Ty Dillon
- Austin Dillon
- BJ McLeod
- Chase Briscoe
- Christopher Bell
- Ryan Preece
- Bubba Wallace
- Alex Bowman
- Tyler Reddick
- Harrison Burton
- Martin Truex Jr
- Kevin Harvick
- Corey LaJoie
- Cole Custer
- Noah Gragson
- Ty Gibbs
- Ross Chastain
- Kyle Larson
- Austin Hill
NASCAR Cup Series Play off Points {after Quaker State 400 available at Walmart
July 09, 2023}
Pos | Driver | Points | Wins
- William Byron | 4 Wins | 27PP
- Kyle Busch | 3 Wins | 17PP
- Kyle Larson | 2 Wins | 12PP
- Martin Truex Jr | 2 Wins | 11PP
- Ross Chastain | 1 Win | 10PP
- Denny Hamlin | 1 Win | 9PP
- Ryan Blaney | 1 Win | 8PP
- Tyler Reddick | 1 Win | 8PP
- Christopher Bell | 1 Win | 7PP
- Joey Logano | 1 Win | 7PP
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 1 Win | 5PP
- Kevin Harvick | +126
- Chris Buescher | +105
- Brad Keselowski | +100
- Daniel Suarez | +3
- Michael McDowell | +3
— Playoff Cutline —
- Bubba Wallace | -3
- AJ Allmendinger | -13
- Ty Gibbs | -26
- Austin Cindric | -40
NASCAR Cup Series navigates due North for the Crayon 301 hosted by the New Hampshire
Motor Speedway.
Sunday, July 16 th , 2023, 2:30 p.m. EST.
USA Network / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio 90