Chase Elliott powered his way to the front and earned the victory in the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, collecting his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win of the 2019 season.
Working with his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman and fellow Chevrolet driver Ryan Preece, Elliott held the top spot in the final portion of the race as carnage took place towards the back of the lead pack. The caution waved as the drivers raced down the backstretch on the final lap, officially ending the race.
Elliott won Stage 2 and lead a race-high 45 laps, earning 60 fantasy NASCAR points for owners who started the fourth year driver from Dawsonville, Georgia. The siren is ringing loudly at the Dawsonville Pool Room tonight for Chase Elliott, who has become a fan favorite in the Cup Series.
The GEICO 500 proved exciting from start to finish with competitive racing throughout the pack. The first superspeedway race without restrictor plates raised concerns in the garage area over the weekend, with speeds reaching over 204 miles per hour at the 2.66 mile racetrack. The package provided plenty of lead changes, while also leading to multiple crashes that took many drivers out of contention.
On Lap 11, Bubba Wallace made contact with Ryan Blaney, triggering a multi-car incident involving Wallace, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Michael McDowell, and Clint Bowyer amongst others.
A number of contenders crash early at @TalladegaSuperS! ?#GEICO500 | ?: FOX pic.twitter.com/4yxUiavg3p
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 28, 2019
Another wreck on Lap 182 ended the day for Chris Buescher and Matt DiBenedetto.
A heartbreaking finish to the day for @Chris_Buescher and @mattdracing, who were both in position for big finishes.#GEICO500 | @TalladegaSuperS pic.twitter.com/hZ9ulN5BKx
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 28, 2019
On the final lap, Kyle Larson flipped multiple times and collided with the inside wall as the drivers raced down the backstretch.
.@KyleLarsonRacin emerged from the No. 42 car under his own power after his hard crash and flip on the final lap at @TalladegaSuperS, as did the other drivers involved. pic.twitter.com/Y1AIN1srp1
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 28, 2019
The aftermath.@TalladegaSuperS | #GEICO500 pic.twitter.com/RquwYsxLxW
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 28, 2019
Elliott’s win in the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway is the first of the season for Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet, ending the streak of Joe Gibbs Racing and Penske Racing who won the first nine races of the 2019 MENCS season. The win locks Elliott into the playoffs where the 9 team will have an opportunity to race for the championship.
Fantasy NASCAR Results for GEICO 500
richarocks took home the Fantasy NASCAR victory in their first start with a score of 171 in the GEICO 500. BluestreakRacing finished 2nd, earning his league-high fourth Top 5 while extended the points lead to 32. Here was the winning lineup from Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Up Next: Dover International Speedway
Next week the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Dover International Speedway for the AAA 400 Drive for Autism. Last year, Kevin Harvick conquered the monster mile on his way to winning at the one-mile concrete racetrack, sweeping both stages and leading 201 laps.
After ten races in the 2019 season, Stewart-Haas Racing has yet to win a race. It is only a matter of time until one of the four SHR teammates reach victory lane, and Dover provides a great opportunity to earn their first win of the season.
