Chase Elliott checks off his third straight road course win at Daytona International Road Course Sunday, outdueling Denny Hamlin over a final three-lap dash for the Go Bowling 235 checkers.
DAYTONA – August 16, 2020 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK
NASCAR Cup Series travels to World Center of Racing to challenge Daytona International Road Course’s historical Inaugural Race, Sunday. As the coronavirus travel pandemic interfered with the cancellation of Walkins Glen’s International annual Road race, Daytona Road Course was inserted into the abbreviated season as a road course race replacement.
Go Bowling 235 – Stage 1 recap:
Chase Elliott cycled to the lead as Martin Truex Jr. opted for pit service before completion of Stage 1. Elliott cruises past Joey Logano claiming his 6th Stage win of the season.
Go Bowling 235 Results – Stage 1
- Chase Elliott
- Joey Logano
- Jimmy Johnson
- Clint Bowyer
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Erik Jones
- William Byron
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Cole Custer
- Ryan Preece
Go Bowling 235 – Stage 2 recap:
Denny Hamlin’s race team gambles to stay out while the majority of the teams pitted for service. Hamlin would hold off Clint Bowyer for the Stage 2 win. Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rounded out the top-five.
Go Bowling 235 Results – Stage 2
- Denny Hamlin
- Clint Bowyer
- Ryan Blaney
- William Byron
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Ryan Preece
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Chase Elliott
- Kevin Harvick
- Kurt Bush
Go Bowling 235 – Final recap:
After Stage 2 completion, drivers whom haven’t pitted throughout the previous Stage, make their stop to prepare for the final Stage.
Chase Elliott lead the pack back to green on Lap 33, followed by Kevin Harvick and Kyle Bush lining up 2nd and 3rd respectfully.
Kevin Harvick would be spun out by Christopher Bell in Turn 1. Harvick avoids any advancing cars and continue on course without bringing out the caution flag. Harvick acquired a vibration forcing an unscheduled pit service new tires under green. This stop would hamper Harvick chances for a top finishing position.
Lightning invaded the Volusia County area forcing NASCAR to red flag the race for 30 min delay on Lap 36.
20 circuits of completion, Chase Elliott controlled the race expanding a 6 second differential between 2nd place Kyle Bush.
Final scheduled Pit Service would separated Chase Elliott from the field as many driver pit for service on Lap 47. Elliott would stay out 2 additional Laps before utilizing final pit service.
By the time Lap 54 arrived, Chase Elliott eventually cycles back to the front.
Tire issues on the Kyle Bush’s Toyota on Lap 61 brought out a final caution as some team in the back drive in for service. Most of the lap-leading cars could not forfeit field position for service under this caution and stayed out.
Three laps from completion, Chase Elliott seizes the restart lead by clearing Denny Hamlin.
Hamlin would not go down without a battle as Elliott held off an aggressive Hamlin Toyota to
earn his 3rd (consecutive) road course and 8th Career NASCAR victory.
Kaz Grala, a late replacement for Austin Dillon (COVID-19 positive test), finished seventh in his first NASCAR Cup Series start.
Go Bowling 235 – Final Results:
1st – Chase Elliott
2nd – Denny Hamlin
3rd – Martin Truex Jr.
4th – Jimmie Johnson
5th – Chris Buescher
6th – Clint Bowyer
7th – Kaz Grala
8th – William Byron
9th – Joey Logano
10th – Michael McDowell
11th – Erik Jones
12th – Alex Bowman
13th – Brad Keselowski
14th – Kurt Busch
15th – Matt DiBenedetto
16th – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
17th – Kevin Harvick
18th – Tyler Reddick
19th – Ryan Newman
20th – Ty Dillon
21st – Christopher Bell
22nd – Cole Custer
23rd – Ryan Preece
24th – Aric Almirola
25th – Bubba Wallace
26th – Matt Kenseth
27th – Daniel Suarez
28th – Brennan Poole
29th – Timmy Hill
30th – James Davison
31st – Ryan Blaney
32nd – Corey LaJoie
33rd – Quin Houff
34th – J.J Yeley/Bayley Currey
35th – John Hunter Nemechek
36th – Gray Gaulding
37th – Kyle Busch
38th – Stanton Barrett
39th – Brendan Gaughan
NASCAR Cup Series locates to Dover International Speedway for a Doubleheader weekend.
- Drydene 311 – Saturday August 22 4:00 p.m. E.T. NBC Sports SXM NASCAR 90
- Drydene 311 – Sunday August 23 4:00 p.m. E.T. NBC Sports SXM NASCAR 90