Fort Worth, Texas – September 24, 2023 – Anthony Holbrook
The NASCAR Cup Series invaded Texas Motor Speedway for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500. The 1.5-mile track hosted the opening race in the Round of 12 for the NASCAR Playoffs. Bubba Wallace and Chris Buescher occupied the front row anticipating 334 scheduled laps of stock car racing. A tenacious 100 degrees heat index promised one of the hottest Cup race events ever at this track opening in 1997. With anticipated temperatures so high inside the race cars drivers must hydrate and utilize cooling suits to remedy conditions.
Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500– Stage 1
Kyle Larson led the pack of eager drivers with twenty-five circuits around Texas remaining. A caution flag courteous of JJ Yelley’s smack into the safety barrier wall shook up the leader board as teams weighed out pit options.
Hendrick race team driver Kyle Larson opted to stay out as many drivers pitted forfeiting real estate.
Pole Sitter Bubba Wallace chose the high lane as Kyle Larson attended the lower lane previously layered in traction compound.
Both Playoff Drivers battled for position on the caution restart and aggression became relevant. Unfortunately for Larson, Kyle failed in traction forcing a spin. Larson was hurried into the safety barrier wall, ending any prosperous finish for the Cup Champ with nineteen laps to finish.
Too much adrenaline forced a collage of drivers to pin ball off Turn 4 as Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, AJ Almendinger along with Erik Jones and Tyler Redick all accumulated in the mayhem.
Playoff Contender Bubba Wallace led the field to green as spoiler Chase Briscoe sharpshot under race leader Wallace almost gaining the lead.
Untimely for Brisco, William Byron drove collectively under both competitors by Turn 3 to capture the point.
William Byron advances into the Championship Playoff Round of Eight with Victory at Texas Motor Speedway!
Race Team Owner Rick Hendrick acquires a historic 300th Nascar Cup Series Victory with William Byron Checker Flag.
Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500– Stage 1 Results:
1. Tyler Reddick
2. Chris Buescher
3. Christopher Bell
4. William Byron
5. Michael McDowell
6. Chase Elliott
7. Ryan Blaney
8. Chase Briscoe
9. Denny Hamlin
10. Bubba Wallace
Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500– Stage 2 Results:
1. Kyle Larson
2. Erik Jones
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Ryan Blaney
5. Chris Buescher
6. Chase Elliott
7. Brad Keselowski
8. Ross Chastain
9. Bubba Wallace
10. Daniel Suarez
Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500– Final Results
Pos | Driver
1. William Byron
2. Ross Chastain
3. Bubba Wallace
4. Christopher Bell
5. Denny Hamlin
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Brad Keselowski
8. Daniel Suarez
9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
10. Chase Briscoe
11. Chase Elliott
12. Alex Bowman
13. Justin Haley
14. Chris Buescher
15. Michael McDowell
16. Carson Hocevar
17. Martin Truex Jr
18. Aric Almirola
19. Ty Dillon
20. Harrison Burton
21. Joey Logano
22. BJ McLeod
23. Ryan Preece
24. Zane Smith
25. Tyler Reddick
26. Corey LaJoie
27. Austin Cindric
28. Ryan Blaney
29. AJ Allmendinger
30. Erik Jones
31. Kyle Larson
32. JJ Yeley
33. Ty Gibbs
34. Kyle Busch
35. Todd Gilliland
36. Austin Dillon
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Points Standing
(After Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500)
Race 1 of 3 (Round of 12)
9/24/23
1. William Byron / 1 Win
2. Denny Hamlin / +37
3. Chris Buescher / +22
4. Christopher Bell / +20
5. Martin Truex Jr / +19
6. Ross Chastain / +12
7. Brad Keselowski / +8
8. Kyle Larson / +2
— Round of 8 Cutline —
9. Bubba Wallace / -2
10. Tyler Reddick / -3
11. Ryan Blaney / -11
12. Kyle Busch / -17
NASCAR Cup Series second round of the 12 Championship Playoffs travels to Talladega Superspeedway for the YellaWood 500:
Sunday, October 1, 2023
2:00 p.m. E.T. / NBC / Sirius XM NASCAR 90