Rain comes, Hamlin Wins
DARLINGTON, S.C. – May 20, 2020
NASCAR Cup Series (abbreviated) 6th race of the 2020 season returned to Darlington Raceway, May 20, 2020 for the Toyota 500.
Practice and Qualifying for the Toyota 500 was canceled, creating least exposure possible for all involved participants in the event. Wednesday’s night starting lineup for the Toyota 500 will be inverted depending upon last Sunday’s The Real Heroes 400 finish. The inversions were in groups and the first inversion flipped 1st to 20th. Ryan Preece’s The Real Heroes 400 20th place finish, was awarded the pole while Race Winner Kevin Harvick starts 20th.
Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson crashed while leading on the final lap of the first stage and will start 37th on Wednesday.
Stage 1 recap:
The No. 14 Stuart-Haas Driver – Clint Bowyer commanded the lead after the mandated competition caution, capturing his first Stage win of the season.
Leading 30 laps of Stage 1, Bowyer overtook Petty Racing Driver- No. 43 – Bubba Wallace who opted to stay out during the competition caution pit services. No. 19 – Martin Truex Jr., No. 12 – Ryan Blaney, No. 88 – Alex Bowman and No. 22 – Joey Logano rounded out the top five.
Stage 1 Results
- Clint Bowyer
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Ryan Blaney
- Alex Bowman
- Joey Logano
- Aric Almirola
- Chase Elliott
- Denny Hamlin
- Matt Kenseth
- Ryan Preece
Stage 2 recap:
Clint Bowyer collects both stages Wednesday night at Darlington Raceway, utilizing expedite pit service to claim the lead late in Stage 2 for his second green-and-white checkered flag win of the night.
A caution brought out by teammate No. 47 Stewart-Haas Driver – Cole Custer, set up a dash to pits for a final Stage shootout.
Clint Bowyer’s crew worked furiously to put his car in position to win the Stage 2. Bowyer returned his gratitude with a second Stage win. No. 9 – Chase Elliott, No. 19 – Truex Jr., No. 20 – Erik Jones and Sunday’s race winner in No. 4 – Kevin Harvick rounded out the top five.
Stage 2 Results
- Clint Bowyer
- Chase Elliott
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Erik Jones
- Kevin Harvick
- William Byron
- Denny Hamlin
- Alex Bowman
- Joey Logano
- Matt DiBenedetto
Toyota 500 Final Stage recap:
Having by far the best performance of the day, winning both Stage 1 and 2, Clint Bowyer cuts a tire with 33 laps to go, taking the No. 14 Ford out of contention to sweep all Race Stages.
Reigning Cup Champ No. 18 – Kyle Bush clipped the No. 9 – Chase Elliott’s Chevrolet with 30 laps remaining, spinning out any chance for the Hendrick Driver to victor.
Utilizing on the alteration, Denny Hamlin sails past Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Bush and Chase Elliott for the lead as the 2020 Daytona 500 winner collected another trophy as Mother Nature made her presence at the track.
NASCAR called officially called the race due to rain and Denny Hamlin receives the win under red flag.
Toyota 500 Final Stage results
- Denny Hamlin
- Kyle Busch
- Kevin Harvick
- Brad Keselowski
- Erik Jones
- Joey Logano
- Aric Almirola
- Jimmie Johnson
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Christopher Bell
- William Byron
- Tyler Reddick
- Ryan Newman
- Kurt Busch
- Bubba Wallace
- Michael McDowell
- Alex Bowman
- Ty Dillon
- Austin Dillon
- Ryan Blaney
- Clint Bowyer
- Chris Buescher
- Corey Lajoie
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Quin Houff
- Daniel Suarez
- J.J. Yeley
- Joey Gase
- Matt Kenseth
- Cole Custer
- Gray Gaulding
- Timmy Hill
- Garrett Smithley
- John Hunter Nemechek
- B.J. McLeod
- Brennan Poole
- Chase Elliott
- Ryan Preece
The abbreviated NASCAR Cup Series schedule race No. 6 traveles to Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday May 24th for the Coca-Cola 600 ( 2 : p.m. – NASCAR CUP Series Bush Pole Qualifying) FS1 / Sirus Radio ( 6 : p.m. – NASCAR CUP Series Coca-Cola 600 ) Fox / Sirus Radio
