Monday, March 20, 2023

NASCAR Triple Header in Race Weekend Recap (Atlanta Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Triple Header in Race Weekend Recap (Atlanta Motor Speedway)

Winners: Joey Logano (Cup); Austin Hill (Xfinity); & Christian Eckes (Trucks)

 

NASCAR Cup

Joey Logano Bags Atlanta Victory

Joey Logano Bags Atlanta Victory

 

Deftly maneuvering his No. 22 Ford through the final two laps of Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400, Joey Logano finished the NASCAR Cup Series race where he started – at the front of the field.

 

With a push from Christopher Bell on the backstretch on the final lap, Logano moved to the outside of leader Brad Keselowski with huge momentum and charged past Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford into the lead.

 

Logano pulled down to the inside lane through the final two corners and crossed the finish line .193 seconds ahead of Keselowski and .194 seconds ahead of third-place Bell.

 

“Yeah, first off so special to win Atlanta for me,” said Logano, a Connecticut native who began to refine his talent racing Legends cars at Atlanta. “So many memories of me and my dad racing right here on the quarter mile. This is the full circle for us. So many memories gritting over there with the Legends car, racing, having a big time.

 

“Dreaming of going straight at the quarter mile and going onto the big track. That was always the dream to do it. To finally win here means so much to me here personally, but the team.

 

“The Auto Trader Mustang – this thing was an animal. Very, very fast. Able to lead a ton of laps, race really hard there at the end, get a good push from the 20 (Bell) to clear myself. Huge victory. Nice to get one early in the season. Always feels better, but what a great day for us.”

 





Pole:Joey Logano

Click Here for Race Results
 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on March 26th for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. 

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Austin Hill Continues Superspeedway Dominance

Austin Hill Continues Superspeedway Dominance

 

Austin Hill notched his third Xfinity Series win of the 2023 season, edging Parker Kligerman on an epic final run that saw him hold strong even as Kligerman knocked into him and spun out as he and the field crossed the start-finish line.

 

That final run came thanks to a caution that surfaced with about 10 laps to go. It featured Hill (21 car) taking the inside line and moving and blocking Kligerman (48 car). The 48 car then got hit and was nudged into Hill, but the 21 somehow stayed steady and powered through to victory.

 

“Once I got to the lead, I knew it was wreckers or checkers,” Hill told the remaining fans who’d braved the cold weather. “When the 48 hit me in the right-rear, I’m guessing he got hit or something, I thought I was heading into the outside wall, but I was able to gather it up, bring it on home. This is so special. That was a tough one to win.”

 





Pole:Sammy Smith

Click Here for Race Results
 

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on March 25th for the Pit Boss 250 presented by USA Today at Circuit of The Americas 

 

 

NASCAR Trucks

Christian Eckes Powers to Overtime Victory

Christian Eckes Powers to Overtime Victory

 

Christian Eckes finished where he started Saturday’s Fr8 208 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway  – with a lot of turmoil in between.

 

Eckes claimed his second victory in the series in overtime, choosing the bottom lane and front-row position for a restart on lap 136 of 137.

 

“It’s been a tough offseason,” said Eckes, in his first year with owner Bill McAnally after driving for ThorSport Racing in 2022. “I’m driving harder than I ever have – I have a lot to prove. The people know who they are.

 

“I’m really happy. Thanks to (crew chief) Charles (Denike), everybody on this team. They work so damn hard. This is what makes it all worth it. I’m pumped. It’s going to be a really good year.”

 





Pole: Zane Smith

Click Here for Race Results
 
Next Race: The Truck Series will return on March 25th for the XPEL 225 at Circuit of The Americas.

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