NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Fans Reply To Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Overcoming Chaotic OT, Spoiling YellaWood 500 At Talladega Superspeedway

By
Jeff Hawkins
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Sports Editor

Published3 hours ago on October 06, 2024

Disclosure
We publish independently audited information that meets our strong editorial guidelines. Be aware we may earn a commission if you purchase anything via links on our pages.
cup ricky stenhouse jr celebrates dega win (1)

Non-playoff drivers are becoming spoiled. 

For the third time in five NASCAR Cup Series postseason events, a non-playoff pilot soared into Victory Lane. On Sunday, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. played the spoiler, capturing a chaotic YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. He edged Brad Keselowski by 0.006 seconds. 

Stenhouse benefitted from a Dega-esque calamity. With five rotations remaining, 23 machines, including eight of 12 playoff drivers, were involved in the Round of 12 mele. The 36-year-old victor led for 19 of 195 laps, securing his second win at Talladega. His first came in 2017. 

“Felt really good,” Stenhouse said, per The Associated Press. “It‘s been an up and down season, a lot of hard work this season trying to find a little bit of speed, but we knew this track is one of ours to come get it.” 

They did. 

X (Twitter) users responded to the start of race day at the iconic 2.66-mile tri-oval … 

Social media responses trended up during the late collision, which signaled a red-flag stoppage for nearly 10 minutes … 

The ending was entertaining. So was the beginning: “Fire when you’re ready” … 

Sunday’s start at the Dega … 

What the drivers faced Sunday. Talladega crazy … 

Taking a moment to thank NASCAR officials and others for giving to those who need help – desperately – after Hurricane Helene … 

Greg Biffle led the relief efforts… 

Going four-wide for some time, too … 

What happened here with Daniel Suarez’s machine? … 

Remember when? All one must say: “It was the ’80s” … 

Enduring a frustrating postseason, Martin Truex Jr. discovered trouble along pit row. Retirement looms … 

At the end of Stage 2, defending series champion Ryan Blaney wrecked, compiling his seventh DNF this season, a career high. “We’ll have to fight back next week,” Blaney told NBC Sports. 

The No. 1 machine caught fire after the collision with Blaney on Lap 120, but Ross Chastain escaped serious injury. He did finish P40, though, after a P1 at Kansas Speedway seven days earlier … 

Chastain spoke of what he experienced when his machine caught fire … 

Stage 2 winner Austin Cindric entered Sunday ranked No. 12 among playoff drivers, 29 points below the cutoff line. He held the lead on Lap 185 when he was taken out by Keselowski … 

Stenhouse nipped six-time Talladega winner Keselowski and Byron, this season‘s Daytona 500 titleholder, for Sunday’s trip to Victory Lane … 

The third and final Round of 12 event is slated for next Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course …

Entering the Charlotte Roval, here is an updated look at the playoff standings. Byron is the lone driver to have clinched a Round of 8 bid …