Ryan Blaney emerged with a fender-clanging victory in overtime Monday at Talladega Superspeedway, bumping aside Erik Jones and edging Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by inches to land his first NASCAR Cup Series win of the season.
Blaney’s Team Penske No. 12 Ford led a race-high 63 of the 191 laps in the GEICO 500, which was pushed back one day because of persistent Sunday afternoon rain. His second straight triumph at the 2.66-mile track was the fourth of his Cup Series career.
Stenhouse held on for second in the JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 Chevrolet, just .007 seconds back at the checkered flag. Aric Almirola took third place, ahead of Denny Hamlin and Jones, who rounded out the top five in order.
Team Penske and its Wood Brothers affiliate dominated the middle portions of the race and remained in control entering the final stage. But stage victories went to Chevrolet drivers, with rookie Tyler Reddick landing Stage 1 and Stenhouse taking Stage 2.
The race was the first with new superspeedway rules in place designed to improve safety and competition. The result was a flurry of lead changes, with aggressive bump-drafting and big aerodynamic pushes dictating the action. As with most other races in NASCAR’s return after the coronavirus outbreak, the event was held without practice or qualifying.
The Monday running was also affected by rain, as storms forced a 58-minute, 18-second delay with 57 laps complete.
The entire field took part in an emotionalrally of unity with Bubba Wallace, who was the target of a racist, hate-filled incident Sunday in the NASCAR garage. His No. 43 Chevrolet was pushed to the front of the starting grid, with team owner Richard Petty on site to show his support. Wallace finished 14th.
After the race, Bubba Wallace walked to the fans in the stands after finishing 14th. He slapped hands with fans.
“This is probably the most badass moment right here,” he told Fox, looking at fans, which included some wearing Black Lives Matter shirts. “It’s been tough. It’s been hectic. … This sport is changing.”
Wallace got emotional when he talked about the pre-race activities with drivers pushing his car to the front of the grid and standing with him for the invocation and national anthem.
“I’m proud to be part of this sport,” he said.
STAGE 1 WINNER: Tyler Reddick
STAGE 2 WINNER: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
NOTABLE: Aric Almirola finished third, marking the eighth consecutive Talladega race he’s placed in the top 10, tying Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the longest such streak at the track.
NEXT: The series heads to Pocono Raceway for a doubleheader. The series races at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday and 4 p.m. ET Sunday.
