It looked like it would be another Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) day at the track. However, in a wild end to the NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway it was Ryan Blaney edging out the win in the Firekeepers Casino 400.
HMS Teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliot started the race next to each other in the front row. They spent most of the race showing that they were going to be the cars to beat in the race. Kyle led a race high 70 laps and Chase was second in the laps led category with 68 laps out front.
Chase was able to edge out Kyle for the win in stage one. Kyle Busch took a gamble of a two-tire pit stop to win the second stage of the race.
Austin Dillon is in a battle with his Richard Childress Racing teammate Tyler Reddick for what will likely be the last spot in the Playoffs. Austin raced Brad Keselowski hard for a position (and another point) at the end of stage two. After passing the finish line, Brad crowded Austin low on the track resulting in Austin spinning and crashing out of the race.
The third and final stage of the race was where things got interesting. Kyle Larson remained as one of the leaders of the race as the laps were winding down. However, HMS driver William Byron found his way to the front to have a chance to win instead of his teammate Chase Elliott.
Pit strategies, light rain and wrecks would ultimately help shape the end of the race. With just eight laps remaining Ryan Blaney was able to get to the lead with the help of a push from Kyle Busch on the re-start. He was able to hold off the charges from HMS teammates Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Ryan kept the lead all the way to the checkered flag to claim the victory by a modern-day Michigan International Speedway record margin of .077 seconds. The win was Ryan’s first in Michigan in the Cup Series and second of the 2021 season.
William Byron finished in second place with Kyle Larson in third. Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five in fourth place and fifth place respectively. See the complete race results for the Firekeepers Casino 400 here.
Kyle Larson remains the point leader and top ranked driver for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff outlook after the Michigan race. Kevin Harvick was only able to score a 14th place finish. However, since the winner was a repeat winner Kevin ended the race with enough points to clinch his spot in the post season. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.
The final spot in the Playoffs will be filled following next week’s final race of the NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season. That race will take place at Daytona International Speedway. The Coke Zero Sugar 400 will take place Saturday night, August 28th.
By: Buck Stevens
