Following a rain-shortened NASCAR Cup Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway, William Byron has officially been declared the winner of the Quaker State 400, after passing post-race inspection in the garage area.

Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro got the all-clear from the sanctioning body on Sunday, marking the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s fourth victory of the season, and the eighth of his NASCAR Cup Series career.

Following the inspection process, NASCAR determined that there were no major issues, meaning all race results and point standings distributed by the sanctioning body are now deemed to be official.

Daniel Suarez will finish in second place, with AJ Allmendinger, Michael McDowell, and Kyle Busch completing the race’s top-five finishers. Brad Keselowski, JJ Yeley, Justin Haley, Ryan Blaney, and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. are the top-10.

The No. 6 (Brad Keselowski) and No. 47 (Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.) will return to NASCAR’s R&D Center for further inspection.

Race Recap:

William Byron Rebounds from Early Spin to Win Intense Rain-Shortened Race at Atlanta

Race Results:

2023 NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Race Results

Driver Standings:

NASCAR Cup Series Driver Standings

Owner Standings:

NASCAR Cup Series Owner Standings

The post Inspection Complete: William Byron Officially Wins Rain-Shortened Quaker State 400 at Atlanta appeared first on TobyChristie.com.

Just 104 laps prior to the finish of Sunday’s Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, William Byron was sent spinning through the infield grass, after contact from Corey LaJoie on the frontstretch.

About 90 minutes later, though, the Hendrick Motorsports driver was standing in a makeshift victory lane in the track’s media center, celebrating his fourth NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season.

Byron was able to make the final pass for the lead on AJ Allmendinger with what ended up being 20 laps remaining in Sunday’s Quaker State 400, which was deemed official after 185 of 260 laps due to inclement weather.

In the closing green-flag laps of the event, Daniel Suarez was attempting to build a run on the race leader, by moving from the outside to the inside quickly to build a run, but was unsuccessful in making the move around the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro.

Ultimately, it was a caution flag thrown at Lap 179 for an accident involving Bubba Wallace, Ryan Preece, and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. that slowed the event for the final time, as rain quickly bombarded the area under yellow.

Suarez would finish the race in the runner-up position, picking up his second top-five result of the year. AJ Allmendinger was able to hold on for third, while Michael McDowell and Kyle Busch completed the top five.

Brad Keselowski, who was forced to pit for fuel on the second-to-last caution of the evening, would rebound to finish in sixth place, after leading 19 laps in the latter portion of the rain-shortened event.

JJ Yeley, driving the No. 15 for Rick Ware Racing, came home in seventh place, putting together another incredible run for the two-car operation. It’s the best finish for Yeley since Loudon in 2008.

Justin Haley recorded a second straight finish inside the top-10 in the eighth position, while Ryan Blaney and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. completed the top-10.

Aric Almirola, who started on pole for Sunday’s Quaker State 400, led a race-high 46 laps in the early portion of the event but was shuffled back outside the top-10 as the race progressed, ultimately finishing 18th.

Similarly, Chris Buescher led a significant number of laps for RFK Racing, but was forced to pit along with teammate Brad Keselowski less than 30 laps before the end of the event, but came home in 15th.

With his victory at Atlanta, and a poor showing by Martin Truex, Jr., William Byron leaves the 1.5-mile superspeedway with a 21-point advantage in the regular-season point standings.

Martin Truex, Jr., Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, and Ross Chastain complete the top-five in points leaving the 19th event of the year. Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, and Joey Logano complete the top-10.

2023 NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Race Results

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As the rain gets closer and closer to Atlanta Motor Speedway, the intensity is rapidly picking up, with drivers running two and three wide in the closing laps of the race’s second stage, causing the latest incident in the Quaker State 400.

HAMLIN GETS SPUN BY BOWMAN!

The No. 48 gets loose and takes out the No. 11 with 6 laps to go in Stage 2. A reversal of last week in Chicago.

This caution may end this stage.#NASCAR #QuakerState400 pic.twitter.com/p38TGnXUkO

— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) July 10, 2023

The latest incident, which happened at Lap 156, started when Alex Bowman broke traction on the inside lane in turn four, sending his Ally Chevrolet Camaro up the track and into the side of Denny Hamlin, causing both drivers to spin.

With the event guaranteed to conclude this evening, the major loss of track position for both drivers will certainly hinder their chances of visiting the victory lane in Sunday’s Quaker State 400.

The post Video: Denny Hamlin, Alex Bowman Tangle Late in Second Stage with Rain Looming appeared first on TobyChristie.com.

On Lap 123 of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, we saw the Mini-Big One break out when Erik Jones and Corey LaJoie made contact in Turn 2.

The contact between the two drivers sent LaJoie spinning through the field, and he collected numerous cars in the process including Ty Gibbs and Ross Chastain, who had his car leap into the air.

Here is a video of the accident:

Here is the incident which started after contact between Erik Jones and Corey LaJoie. Chastain got a big hop with his contact. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/9UdCEbdVG9

— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) July 10, 2023

LaJoie, who had struggled early in the race, had moved to inside the top-10 at the time of the incident.

In all, seven cars were involved in this crash.

Those involved included LaJoie, Jones, Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, and Todd Gilliland.

The post Video: Contact Between Erik Jones and Corey LaJoie Triggers Lap 123 Melee appeared first on TobyChristie.com.

After finishing runner-up in the race’s first stage, Kyle Larson’s evening at Atlanta Motor Speedway has effectively come to an end, at least when it comes to scoring the victory in the Quaker State 400.

Larson, driving the No. 5 for Hendrick Motorsports, was running outside the top-10 when contact from Erik Jones send the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro spinning in turn four, Luckily, nobody made contact with the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion.

LARSON GOES AROUND!

The No. 5 looks to have gotten loose with @Erik_Jones right on his bumper in Turn 4 with most of the field getting by unscathed.#NASCAR #QuakerState400 pic.twitter.com/Ka61Foa7Et

— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) July 10, 2023

However, in the aftermath of the incident, Chase Briscoe and Austin Hill made some slight contact, doing a half-spin at the entrance to the pit road. That damage, coupled with some other issues, took Hill and Beard Motorsports out of the event.

Things looked to be alright for Larson, to the point where he’d be able to change tires and continue on in a semi-competitive manner, until a right-front tire exploded on the No. 5 while leaving pit road, destroying the right-front fender.

Whoa.

Kyle Larson with damage after this explosion. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/6fAFwZ4cJJ

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 10, 2023

Larson was able to return to the track for some green-flag running, but just a couple of laps later, the Elk Grove, California native had further problems, hitting the wall and retiring from the event.

The post Video: Kyle Larson Tipped From Mid-Pack; Somehow Avoids Further Contact appeared first on TobyChristie.com.

It has been a day to forget so far for Corey LaJoie, who came into Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Atlanta with high hopes. LaJoie, who has been an Atlanta master in recent years, as he has flirted with his first career win several times, has run around 25th to 35th all race long.

On Lap 80, LaJoie had moved to 24th, but as he did, he made contact with William Byron, which sent Byron spinning from the 23rd position.

Here is the video of the incident between the two Chevrolet drivers:

Here is the incident between LaJoie and Byron that sent Byron spinning and put us under caution. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/xtCGmhn2HZ

— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) July 10, 2023

And here is an extended clip with more replays of the situation:

BYRON SPINS!

The No. 24 gets turned by @CoreyLaJoie as that pit road penalty proves costly for the former winner at this track.#NASCAR #QuakerState400 pic.twitter.com/QTBAPefT8w

— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) July 10, 2023

LaJoie told his team that he thought he was clear, and simply misjudged the situation. While it caused slight damage to the No. 7 car, Byron suffered a flat tire, and lost a lap on pit road getting his car put back together.

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What started off as a fantastic weekend for Harrison Burton, earning a career-best starting spot for Sunday’s Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, has quickly turned into a recovery mission, after an early-race incident.

Burton, who was running inside the top-10 at the time of the incident, had a wake of dirty air cross his bumper, causing his No. 21 DEX imaging to break traction and spin at the exit of turn two.

Luckily for Burton, the drivers directly behind him were able to avoid his spinning Ford Mustang, despite some close calls with both Denny Hamlin and Todd Gilliland. Tyler Reddick also locked his brakes in the aftermath.

CAUTION 🟨@HBurtonRacing gets loose off Turn 2 for a single car spin with some close calls behind to avoid the No. 21.#NASCAR #QuakerState400 pic.twitter.com/BOzUtaZLLv

— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) July 9, 2023

After the spin, Burton had four flat tires, and as a result of that, needed a tow back to pit road to get them changed, which has left him four laps off the pace.

The post Video: Harrison Burton Spins Early at Atlanta; Makes Light Contact with Outside Wall appeared first on TobyChristie.com.

Man, talk about a moment that will give you chills. Prior to the green flag of Sunday night’s NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Richard Childress strapped into the driver’s seat of the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which Kevin Harvick piloted to his first-career NASCAR Cup Series win at Atlanta back in 2001.

Childress gave the command for drivers to start their engines from inside the No. 29 car.

Richard Childress gives the command inside that incredible No. 29 car!

Tune in NOW to @USANetwork! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/JjoJfi2iPy

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 9, 2023

Following the command, Childress drove onto the track and paced the field with the iconic No. 29 car.

As Childress was running pace laps, Kevin Harvick joined Childress on the outside lane in front of the field in his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang.

Here is video of the touching tribute to Harvick, who will retire from NASCAR Cup Series competition at season’s end:

Coolest moment of the 2023 #NASCAR Cup Series season?! pic.twitter.com/Ej9V3r8rrg

— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) July 9, 2023

Childress then pulled the No. 29 car back down pit road, where he then revved the engine on the car. You could see the emotion in the face of the legendary NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner as he was driving around the track.

The tone is set for Sunday’s Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The post Video: Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress Pace Atlanta Field Before Green Flag appeared first on TobyChristie.com.

From wrecking in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice to finishing inside the top five, Stewart Friesen had a pretty up-and-down weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

“Just locked the left-front up a little bit coming into the carousel and slid the nose,” Stewart said regarding his crash in Friday’s 20-minute practice session. “Honestly thought I was gonna get it slowed down enough before I got off-track.”

The damage to the No. 52 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro would send Friesen to the rear of the field to start Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 150, which began in the midst of a passing shower, forcing the field onto wet weather tires.

In the opening 10 laps of Saturday’s event, Friesen mowed his way through the field, gaining a whopping 17 positions. Though, that wet weather start forced the owner-driver to re-evaluate his approach.

“Really want to get up there and get some stage points,” Friesen said prior to the start of the event. “Being there at the end of the day is going to take a bit more caution pace than aggressive.”

That change in strategy paid off, earning Friesen a top-10 result, and stage points, in each of the race’s opening two stages. That consistency awarded him some points that will be critical for the team if they want to make the playoffs.

“Just had some stuff get away from us the last couple of races that weren’t any of our doing. Some bad luck in Charlotte and in Nashville, where we lost some points.”

After Saturday’s event at Mid-Ohio, Friesen goes from six points below the cutline to only one point below, putting him within striking distance of the top-10 in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points.

“I think we figured some stuff out,” Friesen concluded. “I actually felt kind of comfortable running out there in the wet and searching around and finding grip. I actually had some fun. Proud of my guys, proud of our top five. We needed a little bit more to be in the top three, those guys were pretty quick, but we’ll take it.”

Looking ahead, Friesen says he is hopeful about his and Halmar Friesen Racing’s future in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and what an increased role with the organization means for his other racing endeavors.

“Everything looks good as far as us coming back another year in the Truck Series, so that’s awesome,” he said. “I’ve scaled down on the dirt racing a little bit this year. I took on the management side of HFR and it’s been a lot of fun.”

More dedicated than ever, Friesen will keep his focus on the remainder of 2023. His top priority? Pointing his way into the playoffs with two races to go in the regular season. If he is successful, he will pursue his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title.

The post Stewart Friesen Rebounds to Fourth-Place Results After Tough Weekend at Mid-Ohio appeared first on TobyChristie.com.

Happy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 race day at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Here is the complete NASCAR TV Schedule for Sunday, July 9th.

On Saturday, Aric Almirola scored the pole for the event as he turned the quickest lap of Round 2. The pole is the first of the season for Almirola, and it’s the fifth of his NASCAR Cup Series career.

Almirola, who sits 27th in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings, can lock his way into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with a win.

Ryan Blaney, who won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway earlier this season, will start alongside Almirola from the second position.

(Click here for the full Starting Lineup)

Joey Logano won the spring race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and he’ll start from the fourth position, and Chase Elliott, who won this race last season will roll from the 23rd position.

NASCAR TV Schedule Sunday, July 9th

Time	Series	Event	TV / Streaming
3:00 PM ET	NASCAR Cup Series	RaceDay (pre-race): Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway	FS1 FOX Sports App
6:30 PM ET	NASCAR Cup Series	Pre-Race: Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway	USA Network NBC Sports App
7:00 PM ET	NASCAR Cup Series	Race: Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway	USA Network NBC Sports App

The post NASCAR TV Schedule Sunday, July 9, 2023 appeared first on TobyChristie.com.