Chase Elliott emerged from what began as a wet-weather wild-card race with a decisive victory Sunday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval as the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs field was trimmed from 12 title-eligible drivers to eight.
Elliott continued his recent mastery with his fourth straight road-course win, posting a 3.895-second margin of victory in the Bank of America Roval 400, leading 27 of 109 laps in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. His second straight win on the 2.32-mile layout was his third victory of the season and the ninth of his Cup Series career. You could say that Chase was “taking care of business”!
Joey Logano placed second in the Team Penske No. 22 Ford. Erik Jones took third place with Kurt Busch fourth and Ryan Blaney finishing out the top five.
Four drivers were eliminated from championship eligibility, defending Cup Series champ Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Clint Bowyer and Aric Almirola. All four had issues during the eventful race, the finale of the postseason’s Round of 12.
Busch’s winless streak reached 32 races after he was slowed by a flat tire near the end of Stage 2. His No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota then made contact with Dillon’s No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet midway through Stage 3, and while he rallied to lead three laps on an alternate pit strategy, he finished 30th after a late splash of fuel. Dillon, meanwhile, continued with significant damage to a 19th-place finish.
Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Almirola and Bowyer had their own trouble. Almirola spun midway through Stage 2, and Bowyer slowed with 37 laps to go as he lost power steering.
THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF THE GO FAST
This week we have two players who were riding shotgun with the race winner, William Clyde Elliott II. Both Snoopy Dawn and Jim, aka Chiefy, were “taking care of business” with their Charlotte ROVAL selections this weekend. Chase, once again, showed his recently acquired road course prowess and showed the entire field his tail lights, as well as the fast way around the ROVAL! The Dawsonville native deposited 49 points into each player’s 3rd segment point bucket today. I think that I can hear the sireen blaring at the pool hall in Dawsonville as I write this article!
THE MOVERS AND THE SHAKERS
Bringing in the second highest score for the race is Edie The Las Vegas Super Star. The Vegas Super Star was riding all race with YRB at Charlotte. Young Ryan Blaney was hanging out amongst the big dogs all race in his Team Penske No. 12 Ford and battling for the lead on a couple of occasions, finishing the Bank of America 400 in 5th place. That finish put 46 points into The Super Star’s bank account.
Having almost an equally outstanding race was Bernie The Bay Area Bandit. She racked up 44 points from Sliced Bread. Those 44 points were enough from Joey Logano to propel her to the top of the scoring pylon this week! You could also say that she, too, was “taking care of business”!
It has been very quiet around our resident accountant, Dan The Numbers Cruncher, for the two weeks while he has been getting situated into the classy Outhouse. This weekend, however, he has erupted. Martin Truex, Jr. pulled off a 7th place and donated 37 points to The Numbers Dude’s bucket.
Rounding out the top five scorers for the week is Linda The Cookie Mom. The Cookie Mom was hanging out with one of the Hendrick Motorsports drivers, Alex Bowman. Bowman The Showman has been in the spotlight since the announcement of him moving from the No. 88 ride to take over the No.48 when Mr. Seven-Time retires from NASCAR.
To say that there has been a shakeup in the standings would be a gross understatement this weekend. The only players who remain the their previous digs this week are the bottom three players, The Vegas Super Star, The Cookie Mom, and The Numbers Dude.
Eight of the eleven players are now resting in a new location. The single biggest mover of the week happens to be Jim, aka Chiefy. Ol Chiefy really had some “heap good mojo” working this week! Because of all that good mojo Chiefy stepped up four (4) places to reside now in 3rd place!
Moving almost as many places this week are Bernie The Bay Area Bandit and Amber The Extremely Lucky Cheddar Head. La Bandita climbed up the scoring pylon three (3) positions to become our new weekly leader! The Extremely Lucky Cheddar Head was not so lucky this week! I think that golden horseshoe that had been holding all her luck turned upside down and her luck has finally dissipated. Anyway The Cheddar Head plummeted three places this week to now rest in 4th place.
Both Carlton The Doorman and Leon Your Most Humble Sheriff moved two (2) positions. Both players rolled the bones and came up snake eyes this week, moving each player down two spots to sit now in 5th and 8th, respectively.
Meanwhile, Jeremy The Coach and Snoopy Dawn moved next door from their previous places. The Coach’s 26 points was not enough to keep him in his previous place, instead he dropped one place to sit in 6th position this week. Conversely, Snoopy stepped up one place to reside in 7th place, when the checkered flag flew.
STRAIGHT FROM THE CRAPPER
Did I mention that Amber The Extremely Lucky Cheddar Head ran out of luck this week? If I didn’t, then let me tell you that she went from flying high above the fracas to being awarded The Crappiest Pick of The Week today! What a change in luck!
And speaking of running. out of luck, stop me if you have heard this before! Dan The Numbers Cruncher is taking another all expense paid week in The Outhouse!!!
Next week it is on to Kansas for NASCAR.
Check out the results of the Bank of America 400 at Charlotte.
TIL NEXT TIME, PULL YOUR BELTS TIGHT AND LET’ GO RACIN’!