Chase Elliott outdueled Ryan Blaney on the final lap to collect his fifth victory of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Season.
TALLEDEGA – October 2, 2022 – Anthony Holbrook
The NASCAR Cup Series round of 12 playoff race invaded Talladega 2.66 mile Superspeedway for the YELLAWOODS 500. Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson set the front row for 188 laps of stock car racing in central Alabama.
YELLAWOODS 500 – Stage 1 recap:
1 to go in stage one, Denny Hamlin applied a huge block on Chase Elliott. Ryan Blaney had a huge run off the outside of turn four to challenge Denny Hamlin, and win Stage 1!
On Lap 104, Tyler Reddick cycled to the race lead and set sights for checkers.
8 to go in Stage 2, Kyle Larson led the field on the inside lane, and pull even with Tyler Reddick.
2 laps remaining, Chase Elliott bumped Kyle Larson to the lead.
With only one circuit to go, Tyler Reddick fought back for the lead on the outside of turn one, and got squirrely and forfeited his spot.
This opens the door for Chase Elliott to slip out of line and contest Kyle Larson for valuable Stage 2 points.
Chase Elliott wins Stage 2!
YELLAWOODS 500 – Stage 2 Results
1. Chase Elliott; 2. Justin Haley; 3. Kyle Larson; 4. Daniel Suarez; 5. Erik Jones; 6. Ross Chastain; 7. Landon Cassill; 8. Chris Buescher; 9. Daniel Hemric; 10. Chase Briscoe
YELLAWOODS 500 – Race recap:
Ryan Blaney found himself fighting near the front of the pack for a majority of the final section of the 500-mile event and his No. 12 Penske Ford is pronounced to be the car to contend with.
As 26 laps remain, the final scheduled green flag pit cycle is complete. Ryan Blaney recycled back to the lead with Keselowski on his bumper. Unfortunately, NASCAR Officials served a Pass-Through penalty for speeding, as veterans Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick paid their fine.
18 to go, Michael McDowell drafted Erik Jones to run with the lead pack in turn three. Ryan Blaney regained the lead and throws a huge block on an approaching Ross Chastain to remain at the post.
With seven to go, Daniel Hemric stalled his car at the edge of the pit lane to invite Nascar’s yellow flag.
A bump from Michael McDowell allowed Ryan Blaney to excel past Erik Jones for the lead following the (Hemric’s) caution’s final restart.
On the last lap, it appeared as though Chase Elliott was descending in the wrong direction, but help from Erik Jones’ Bump draft maneuver was just enough momentum to bolt the 2019 Cup Champ past friend Ryan Blaney on the back stretch.
Chase Elliott threw blocks in five lanes through the tri-oval protecting his real-estate.
Chase Elliott Talladega Victory punches his ticket into the Round of 8 of the playoffs regardless of his performance at the Charlotte Roval next weekend.
YELLAWOODS 500 – Final Stage Results:
Pos. – Driver
1. Chase Elliott 2. Ryan Blaney 3. Michael McDowell 4. Ross Chastain 5. Denny Hamlin 6. Erik Jones 7. Todd Gilliland 8. Daniel Suarez 9. Austin Cindric 10. Chase Briscoe 11. Landon Cassill 12. William Byron 13. Austin Dillon 14. Aric Almirola 15. Justin Haley 16. Bubba Wallace 17. Christopher Bell 18. Kyle Larson 19. Noah Gragson 20. Kyle Busch 21. Cole Custer 22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr 23. Ty Dillon 24. Brad Keselowski 25. Chris Buescher 26. Martin Truex Jr 27. Joey Logano 28. Tyler Reddick 29. Kevin Harvick 30. Justin Allgaier 31. JJ Yeley 32. Cody Ware 33. BJ McLeod 34. Daniel Hemric 35. Corey LaJoie 36. Harrison Burton 37. Ty Gibbs
NASCAR Cup Playoff Drivers Points (After Talladega)
1. Chase Elliott 1 Win2. Ryan Blaney +323. Ross Chastain +284. Denny Hamlin +215. Joey Logano +186. Kyle Larson +187. Daniel Suarez +128. Chase Briscoe +0
— Round of 8 Cutline —
9. Austin Cindric -0
10. William Byron -11
11. Christopher Bell -33
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs returns Sunday to the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the final road-course event of the season.
