Logano Prevails Late in 300th Start to Win at Richmond

Joey Logano was able to take the lead during the final restart to secure his 18th victory of his career on Sunday at Richmond International Raceway. Logano had to work hard to pass the field after having to start from the rear due to a post-qualifying transmission change. Teammate Brad Keselowski, who led 110 laps, worked his way to second after working through traffic during the final restart. Denny Hamlin, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-5. Matt Kenseth, who led the most laps, was relegated to 23rd after having a bad pit stop, and a flat tire late.

The first caution of the afternoon came out just seven laps into the race when rookie Erik Jones nailed the outside wall in turn three, ending his day early. Another caution came later in the stage when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. backed his car into the outside wall, sustaining minor damage. Kenseth led all 100 laps in Stage 1 with Kyle Larson finishing second. Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Hamlin, Keselowski, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, Clint Bowyer, Logano all earned points in the first stage.

Stage 2 was uneventful in the shape of cautions as it was a stage full of green flag racing. Drivers were racing two, three, and four-wide all throughout the field. Keselowski took the lead from Kenseth and held it until the end of Stage 2, giving Keselowski the stage win.

Hamlin led the field to green in the third and final stage. He held the lead up until Lap 229 when Harvick took control of the race, but it was short lived as Keselowski was able to retake the lead on Lap 238.

A miscommunication error with just under 60 laps to go ended with Jimmie Johnson sandwiching Dale Earnhardt Jr. into the outside wall. Both were able to continue but a few laps later, the No. 88 spun in turn four after losing a tire. Earnhardt would end up finishing 30th in his first race since announcing his retirement at the end of the season.

Logano and Keselowski stayed out under the second to final caution on Lap 367 where debris was found in turn four. This move made them look vulnerable to the two Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas of Hamlin and Busch who had been up front most of the race.

On Lap 377, Ryan Blaney slammed into the outside wall with his right rear quarter panel and then with the right nose. During this caution, Logano was first off of pit road but six cars stayed out seeking to gain a victory the same way Ryan Newman did so at Phoenix earlier this season. Busch found himself with a commitment line violation, and had to fall to the rear of the field which ended his shot to win. He finished 16th when all was said and done.

For Logano, it was his first victory of the season, and one that locks him into the playoffs later this fall.