Fort Worth, TX – #4 Kevin Harvick in the Jimmy John’s Ford would start in the pole position for the NASCAR Monster Energy Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. After a thrilling race yesterday from the Xfinity Series, the NASCAR Monster Energy Series would hope to get off to an electric start as well.
Before the race even started we had some drama, as the #3 car (Austin Dillon) was forced to head back to the garage due to a track bar incident. On lap 3 the caution flag came out, as debris appeared on the track. In lap 11 another caution occurred after the #15 made contact with the #33 in turn 2. The caution would occur during laps 11-15. After spending the first 13 laps in the garage due to track bar troubles, Austin Dillon returned to the race.
On lap 15 Ryan Blaney in the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford would take over the lead from Kevin Harvick on a slick outside move. At lap 30, the competition caution flag would come out, and Ryan Blaney would sit in the #1 spot with pole setter Kevin Harvick right behind him in 2nd place. Martin Truex Jr. would finish the 1st stage in 2nd place, with Kevin Harvick behind him in 3rd.
Ryan Blaney would end up winning the first stage and will earn 10 chase points and 1 playoff point. That will do it for the 1st stage. I’ll be back with the recap of the 2nd stage.
