Busch gets win on fuel gamble in Overtime
TALLADEGA – April 23, 2023 – Anthony Holbrook
NASCAR Cup Series traveled to Talladega, Alabama for the Geico 500 hosted by Talladega Superspeedway. This event will be the 9th points scheduled race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Season and scheduled for 188 laps upon the 2.6- mile asphalt track.
Geico 500 – Stage 1 Recap:
NASCAR Cup Series drivers have unloaded in Talladega as Denny Hamlin escorts the field to green. Competitors vie for position as laps check off in the early segment of Stage 1.
Green flag pit stops with 20 laps remaining sets up a dash to the checkers. Unfortunately, Chase Briscoe cuts a front right tire at the pit entrance, bottlenecking race teams entering for service.
After the pit cycles complete, Chase Elliott receives a Ross Chastain’ Bump draft to overtake his teammate Alex Bowman for the Stage 1 honors.
Geico 500 – Stage 1 Results:
1. Chase Elliott
2. Alex Bowman
3. Ross Chastain
4. William Byron
5. Kyle Larson
6. Austin Cindric
7. Noah Gragson
8. Joey Logano
9. Ryan Preece
10. Daniel Suarez
Geico 500 – Stage 2 Recap:
Counting 10 Laps remaining in Stage 2, Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott battle for the top spot. Aric Almirola seeks the opportunity in the tri-oval to overtake Elliott/Wallace for the lead. Aric Almirola collects Stage 2 checkers with aggressive last lap pass for the win.
Geico 500 – Stage 2 Results:
1. Aric Almirola
2. Chase Elliott
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Bubba Wallace
5. Harrison Burton
6. Martin Truex Jr
7. Ryan Preece
8. Denny Hamlin
9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
10. Noah Gragson
Geico 500 – Final Stage Recap:
As the intensity heats up a Decisive Caution Flag is flown with 5 scheduled laps to go. NASCAR Cup Champ Joey Logano along with Corey LaJoie, Ricky Stenhouse Jr along with others are collected in the melee.
Only 2.66 miles remaining in NASCAR 2nd Overtime, Bubba Wallace finds himself to the outside of Kyle Busch into the tri-oval. Bubba Wallace throws a block on Ryan Blaney going into turn 1. Ryan Blaney muscles to his outside of Bubba Wallace as Wallace spins out in front of the field creating a collage of carnage.
The caution flag is waved.
Kyle Busch survives the Big One and rewarded with the Trophy at Talladega Superspeedway!
Geico 500 – Final Stage Results:
Pos | Driver
1. Kyle Busch
2. Ryan Blaney
3. Chris Buescher
4. Chase Briscoe
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Erik Jones
7. William Byron
8. Christopher Bell
9. Daniel Suarez
10. Todd Gilliland
11. JJ Yeley
12. Chase Elliott
13. Tyler Reddick
14. Alex Bowman
15. Denny Hamlin
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
17. Ty Dillon
18. Justin Haley
19. BJ McLeod
20. Aric Almirola
21. Kevin Harvick
22. Ross Chastain
23. Austin Hill
24. Corey LaJoie
25. Riley Herbst
26. Austin Cindric
27. Martin Truex Jr
28. Bubba Wallace
29. AJ Allmendinger
30. Joey Logano
31. Ty Gibbs
32. Noah Gragson
33. Kyle Larson
34. Ryan Preece
35. Michael McDowell
36. Harrison Burton
37. Zane Smith
38. Austin Dillon
The NASCAR Cup Series travels to Delaware, Sunday, April 30, 2023 for the Wurth 400 hosted by Dover Motor Speedway 2 p.m. ET (FS1, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio 90)
