Keselowski closed to Harvick’s back bumper, but on the final lap, he slid up the track and barely avoided running into a lapped car. Up front, turnabout was fair play, and Harvick’s Ford was better than Truex’s Toyota on the long run -just not quite good enough to retake the lead. That brought Hamlin to the pits and essentially put him on the same strategy as the car that hit him. #DennyDelivers /aeQI4TDESs- NASCAR on NBC September 22, 2018 His car was so good on new rubber that he came up on Denny Hamlin fast and hit him from behind, though he made a great save and didn’t spin out.ĭenny goes sideways after a big bump from behind. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who tried an unorthodox pit strategy in the spring, pitted halfway through the opening stage again. We're already 50 laps in at #TruexJr /9PN7vT5xDn- NASCAR on NBC September 22, 2018

It took some doing, but after following Harvick through lapped traffic, Truex was able to make his move and take over the point. Truex was in range to challenge for the lead around 25 laps in, but he was mot having the same success passing Harvick as he did catching him. The #NASCARPlayoffs are rolling in Virginia! Who's your pick to win? /bPur3oJmlN- NBC Sports Bet September 22, 2018

Harvick was able to get comfortably out in front, and it was Truex, not Hamlin, who quickly became his top challenger for the lead. The outside was not the place to be when the green flag dropped, as Denny Hamlin found to his dismay. A win would allow the first playoff mirror to be put safely behind them, while another subpar finish might spell doom. Harvick made his statement on Friday evening, recording the fastest qualifying time, with Truex third-fastest and not far off.įor the multiple championship contenders who rolled craps in Las Vegas, Richmond figured to be equal parts anxiety and opportunity. Vegas was supposed to be the calmest opening round playoff race, but once that idea went out the window, the question for Richmond was whether there was now truly a Big 4 or if one of the drivers who dominated most of the regular season would rediscover their magic touch. His third straight victory locked him into the Round of 12 ahead of the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway ahead of the Big 3 of Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr., and no one would have expected that even a few weeks ago. The 2018 NASCAR Playoffs started the same way the regular season ended, with Brad Keselowski celebrating another win.

The Big 3 will look to reimpose their will at Richmond after a chaotic first playoff race gave a late-season star some momentum.

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