The stands are empty at Darlington Raceway, but millions of people around the world have tuned in for the return of racing! The prayer has been said, the national anthem has been sung by country music singer Darius Rucker, and the real heroes have spoken the famous words. After that, we see the green flag.
Earlier today, Kyle Busch failed pre-race inspection so he must start from the rear of the field.
There was no practice this weekend, therefore making today’s race the first laps some drivers will make here.
As a result of no qualifying and a random drawing, Brad Keselowski starts on the pole.
They’re four-wide in turn three on the first lap. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. goes hard into the inside wall and spins resulting in a caution.
PC: USA Today’s FTW
On lap 30, the yellow flag is out for the scheduled competition caution.
Half way through stage one Alex Bowman is now the leader of the pack.
Keselowski still leads and him and Kevin Harvick lead the field back around to the green flag!
On lap 82, Jimmie Johnson takes the top spot from Bowman.
As stage one is winding down, Johnson takes the lead.
One to go. Johnson attempts to make a pass on Chris Buescher but Buescher has to check up, he makes contact with Johnson and Johnson spins. Caution is out. 7-time champion, Jimmie Johnson’s day has come to an end.
William Byron wins stage one.
Stage Two – Darlington
At the restart, Kevin Harvick is in the lead.
Daniel Suarez is having tire issues and spins out on lap 125.
Debris is bouncing from car to car. It’s a piece from a banner on the outside wall that has come off and is now blowing around the track causing trouble for a few drivers. The debris flew from Hamlin’s number 11 Toyota Camry then onto the front corner of Tyler Reddick. NASCAR brings out the caution so they can take the debris from the track and a crew is sent out to remove the remainder of the banner from the wall.
Harvick is still your leader as the green flag waves again.
Christopher Bell spins and the yellow flag is back out.
Harvick has a long pit stop and it causes him to lose seven positions. Brad Keselowski is now back up front.
Keselowski holds the lead for the remaining laps and goes on to win stage two!
Third and Final Stage
Bowman returns to the lead to begin the final stage.
Chris Buescher spins on the front stretch and the yellow flag makes another appearance.
Meanwhile in turn two behind the billboards, something is on fire and a NASCAR official has been sent to check it out while under caution.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsSomething is on fire behind the billboards in turn 2. We do have a NASCAR official on the scene checking it out now under this yellow for the 17 pic.twitter.com/k2EudAVSr2
— Dillon Welch (@dillon_welch) May 17, 2020
45 laps to go! Harvick is the new leader.
Ryan Newman is spinning in turn one and it brings out the caution flag.
20 laps remain! Who will take home the checkered flag?
Debris is out on the track and Clint Bowyer picks it up, however the green flag stays out.
5 laps to go!
White flag is out and here comes Mr. Freaky Fast as the checkered flag is waving ahead of him!
In spite of losing spots earlier in the race he was able to find his way back up front. Kevin Harvick is The Real Heroes 400 winner at Darlington Raceway making it his 50th career Cup Series win!
Here’s your top ten:
1. Kevin Harvick
2. Alex Bowman
3. Kurt Busch
4. Chase Elliott
5. Denny Hamlin
6. Martin Truex Jr
7. Tyler Reddick
8. Erik Jones
9. John Hunter Nemechek
10. Matt Kenseth
Make sure to return on Tuesday night as the NASCAR Xfinity Series finally makes their return at 8PM on FS1 at Darlington Raceway!
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