Paul Menard fends off Logano for Stage 2 win at Talladega
Paul Menard took the lead with four of 55 laps remaining and held off Joey Logano to earn the Stage 2 victory at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images
It’s the first stage victory and playoff point in Menard’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career.
Ryan Blaney finished third, Kevin Harvick was fourth and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. completed the top-five.
Finishing in the Top 10 and also collecting stage points were David Ragan, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, William Byron and Kyle Busch.
Following pit stops during the break between Stages 1 and 2, Brad Keselowski came off pit road first and retained the lead when Stage 2 went green on Lap 62. He was followed by Logano and Menard.
Byron got around Keselowski with a push from Jamie McMurray and moved into the lead shortly after the restart.
On Lap 64, Keselowski retook the top spot with a push from his teammate, Logano.
Three laps later, another group of drivers elected to make an early round of green-flag stops to ensure they had enough fuel to make it to the finish of the stage.
Keselowski, Daniel Suarez and Stenhouse were all too fast on pit road during their respective stops and had to make a pass-thru penalty. Alex Bowman was also penalized for speeding on the exit to pit road.
“I knew I was doing it,” Keselowski said over his team radio. “Couldn’t do anything about it.”
Following those stops, Matt DiBenedetto took over the race lead.
On Lap 72, Erik Jones moved up into McMurray on the exit of Turn 2 which triggered a multi-car accident that also collected Kyle Larson, Trevor Bayne and Martin Truex Jr.
“I believe I got down on the apron a little bit and after that it took off on me. I feel pretty bad for ruining everyone else's day,” Jones said outside the infield care center. “These cars are really challenging to drive right now."”
During the caution, DiBenedetto elected to pit and Logano inherited the lead when the race returned to green with 32 laps remaining in Stage 2. He was followed by Menard and Kurt Busch.
With 20 laps remaining in Stage 2, Logano continued to hold a lead over Menard, followed by Kurt Busch, Hamlin and Blaney.
On Lap 97, Hamlin faked a move to the outside of Logano, then dove to the inside to take the lead for the first time in the race.
With 10 to go in Stage 2, Hamlin maintained the top spot while fending off challenges from Menard and Kurt Busch.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
NASCAR Euro recap: "The Big One" erupts in Valencia
Chase Elliott "most proud of the journey" after reaching overdue win
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
DiBenedetto in at Wood Brothers in 2020, Menard retires
Wood Brothers' Darlington throwback scheme honors Glenn Wood
Get to know the eNASCAR Heat Pro League Wood Brothers drivers
Harrison Burton: "Big responsibility" driving for Wood Brothers
Matt DiBenedetto on 2021 season: "I think it's our time"
DiBenedetto gets extension at Wood Bros, Cindric to join in 2022
"Complete s***show" - Does the DTM test still make sense in its current form?
What the Chinese GP's highlights reveal about its first F1 race for five years
The off-track action that makes the Miami GP an F1 race like no other
F1 Chinese GP: How to watch, ESPN Formula 1 TV times in USA
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments