AVONDALE, Ariz. — A daring three-wide pass for the lead carried Chase Elliott to his first stage victory of the season, as the Hendrick Motorsports young gun took the lead at lap 85 and went on to triumph in stage two of the Camping World 500 at Phoenix Int’l Raceway on Sunday.
Elliott dove around the outside of stage one winner Joey Logano in turn one as Kyle Larson looked low, never looking back and pulling out to a two second victory by the time the green-checkered flag flew at lap 150.
The stage win was also the first for Chevrolet in four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series events so far this season.
“We really haven’t changed a whole lot,” Elliott said of his No. 24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet. “This race has been more about getting that clean air. We’re just trying to get going the best you can. Obviously, you want to clear the guy next to you as soon as possible and you’re going to have the best result if you can do that.”
“We’re going to try to keep it smooth and clean and go from there.”
Elliott was outgunned by Kyle Larson for an instant on the stage’s second restart, following a lap 118 caution when Corey LaJoie pounded the turn one wall, but quickly resumed command and led the final 28 laps prior to the second stage break.
Larson finished second, just as he did in stage one, followed by Kyle Busch, seven-time and defending series Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski.
Jamie McMurray, rookie Erik Jones, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin and eight-time Phoenix winner Kevin Harvick completed the top 10 and all scored bonus points as well at the end of the stage.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
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