Chase Elliott got aggressive at Texas Motor Speedway and was finally able to another win in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 was a challenge for every car on the track. All the drivers were calling the track “sketchy.” During practice and qualifying they just couldn’t seem to find the set up for their cars that made them feel good behind the wheel.
That “sketchy” feeling appeared to continue in the race Sunday afternoon (3/14). There were 16 caution periods for a total of 72 laps. Some cautions were for cars that spun all by themselves. Apparently, they were victims of the “sketchy” track.
Kyle Larson appeared to be the car to beat early in the race. He started from the pole and led the first 35 laps of the race. He led the most laps in the race with 77 laps out front. However, when Kyle’s car lost a tire on the track it put him two laps down. He was able to get back on the lead lap, but only managed to finish the race in the 21st position.
Chase Elliott had been racing hard all day. Even the commentators noted that he was racing more aggressively than he had in recent races. Chase was one of 13 drivers that exchanged the lead 23 times. His pit strategy and aggressive racing timed out well with the cautions. He found himself at the front of the field as the race was nearing the end.
Chase was racing side-by-side with Denny Hamlin with two laps left. Denny lost control of his car, spun and brought out the caution to send the race to a NASCAR Overtime of a green-white-checkered finish.
Chase raced back out to the lead on the re-start of the race ahead of Ross Chastain. Chase took the white flag signifying the final lap and by NASCAR rule setting up the situation that the next flag ends the race. Ross Chastain got turned on the back stretch of the final lap bringing out another yellow flag, freezing the field and ending the race.
Chase Elliott broke a 42-race winless streak by claiming the win as the leader. It was obviously his first win of the 2024 season. It was Chase’s first win at Texas Motor Speedway in NASCAR’s top division and 19th career Cup Series win.
Brad Keselowski finished in the runner-up spot with William Byron claiming a third-place finish. See the complete AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 race results here.
Chase Elliott’s win moved him up two spots in the point standings to fourth. The top three spots did not change: Kyle Larson (#1), Martin Truex Jr. (#2) and Denny Hamlin (#3). See the complete NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.
Another “sketchy” race is next as the drivers and teams head to Talladega Superspeedway for the GEICO 500 Sunday, April 21st.
By: Buck Stevens
