Race Overview
In his 249th Cup Series start, Ryan Preece mounted a late‑lapse charge that ended with a victory under caution, marking his first win after nearly 250 races.
Stage Highlights
Chastain seized the pole and led the opening stage, but Buescher surprised the field by capturing Stage 1 when an off‑center contact from Larson sent the former to review.
Stage 2 unfolded with Logano taking the lead early; Elliott fought back, but Blaney’s aggressive move on the inside earned him the split‑second win, while Preece remained a front‑runner.
The 60‑lap final sprint pushed teams to the limit: a pit‑stop misstep by Hocevar and a late crash brought the race into overtime. Fuel tables tightened, yet Preece stayed on track and held second as the field scrambled.
Finish and Chase Impact
When the final caution was thrown on the last lap, Preece held a clear advantage over Suarez, securing the win that catapulted him into the Chase and eliminated Shane van Gisbergen from contention.
After‑Race Comments
Preece praised sponsors and teammates, describing the victory as a “rocket ship to the moon” and acknowledging the hard‑fought battle that led to the first championship season finish.
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