In the closing laps of the race, it became a three-way fight for the win between Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney.
Larson was in control, but Elliott and Blaney had 30-lap fresher tires in the battle to decide who would be part of the Championship 4.
With 25 laps remaining, Elliott finally made his way around Larson as they navigated traffic. Blaney then traded blows with Larson before getting by as well. With 14 to go, he stormed into the race lead as Elliott faded. The race went green to the end and he was victorious. It’s Blaney’s 13th career win and his third of the 2024 season.
“I’m worn out,” said Blaney, he hopes to become the first back-to-back champion in the history of the knockout format. “It’s hard. The last 70 or so laps I tried to save my rears the best I could because that’s where I started struggling later in the runs. I hated I had to lay the bumper to some guys, but I had to do it. It was nice to pass the 9 clean. I laid the bumper to a couple guys that I wish I didn’t have to, but I needed to get going, so it was a long night. I appreciate everybody for getting better through the night. Thank goodness. I think that’s the most tired I’ve been after a race in a long time.”
Watch: Ryan Blaney: ‘To have another shot at a championship is special’
Shadow over the finish
Blaney captured the checkered flag, but high drama was unfolding behind him for the final transfer spot. William Byron and Christopher Bell were in a tense points battle. In the final corner, Bell passed the rapidly slowing Toyota of Bubba Wallace and then rode the wall.
NASCAR is still deliberating, looking at the radios of the Chevrolets of Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain, as well as the Toyota of Wallace. At the checkered flag, Bell was tied with Byron and should be in via the tiebreaker. There was questionable radio communication from all teams involved.
The race results have Elliott in 2nd, Larson third, Cindric fourth, Hamlin fifth, Byron sixth, A. Dillon seventh, Chastain eighth, Keselowski ninth, Logano.
After a lengthy deliberation, NASCAR finally made a call: Bell was cited for a safety violation and removed from the playoffs, putting Byron back in. Full details can be found in the story below:
