Clint Bowyer in the Haas Automation Ford started on the pole and cruised easily to a stage 1 victory in the Monster Energy Open. That clinched his spot in Saturday nights All-Star Race, his 8th ever appearance in the All-Star Race. During the first stage, Corey LaJoie in the #83 Hope for Warriors Toyota went behind the wall, ending his chances for a spot in the All-Star Race.
As stage two got underway, it was Ryan Blaney in the #21 Motorcraft Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford started our in front. He would hold off Chase Elliot in the #24 Mountain Dew Chevrolet by 2two10ths of a second as Blaney punched his ticket into the All-Star Race.
Landon Cassill in the #34 MDS #Checkit4Andretti Ford took just two tires on his stop and started out in front as the final stage. Less than a hundred yards into the start of the lap Chase Elliot spun Cassill and out came the first caution. Since it wasn’t a full lap, the lap did not count.
On the restart it was Daniel Suarez in the #19 ARRIS Toyota out in front. In the 10-lap shootout, Suarez tried to fend off Erik Jones in the #77 SiriusXM Toyota and Chase Elliot in the #24. With just 4 laps to go, coming out of turn 4, Jones tried to go to the inside of Elliott and Suarez, but ended up clipping the grass out of the dog-leg. He tries to save the car all the way into turn 1 and two, however Jones ended up spinning out in the exit of turn two. This brought out our 1st true caution of the Monster Energy Open.
On the restart it was Suarez was able to put some distance between him and the rest of the field and sealed the deal with a victory in stage three, punching his ticket to Saturdays All-Star race. Despite not winning a stage, Chase Elliot punched his ticket by winning the fan vote.