The NASCAR Playoffs Round of 12 began in Texas. The race had everything including fire and rain!
The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 really had something happening from start to finish it seemed. There was side-by-side racing from the green flag to the checkered flag. The race saw 19 drivers exchange the lead 36 times.
There was a Texas Motor Speedway record of 16 caution periods. One of those caution periods became a 56-minute red flag for lightning and rain in the area of the track.
The race had tire issues, many times for the car leading the race. There were cars that caught fire. There was drama as William Byron and Denny Hamlin are involved in an on-track incident and retaliation.
The start of the race looked as though we might see the first win the 2022 NASCAR Playoffs by a driver in the Playoffs. Kyle Larson was the winner in stage one while Ryan Blaney won stage two.
When the race was winding down it was Tyler Reddick who appeared to be the car to beat. Tyler was eliminated from the Playoffs last week at the end of the Round of 16. He was able to lead a race high 70 laps at Texas Motor Speedway. That includes taking the lead and holding it for the final 24 laps of the race.
Since he was eliminated last week, that makes him a spoiler as the winner. It is Tyler’s first win in a Cup Car at Texas Motor Speedway. It is his third win of the 2022 season and third career win in NASCAR’s top division.
Joey Logano took home the runner-up finish. Justin Haley claimed third-place. Ryan Blaney finished in fourth. Chase Briscoe rounded out the top five. See the complete race results for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 here.
Following the race at Texas Motor Speedway Joey Logano moves to the top of the Playoff Standings. Ross Chastain moves up to second with jumping two spots to third. Kyle Larson holds steady in fourth-place with Ryan Blaney leaping three spots to fifth. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.
It only gets tougher for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs this week. Next stop is Talladega Superspeedway for the YellaWood 500 Sunday, October 2nd.
By: Buck Stevens
