Though Logano led 309 of the 500 laps, Truex Jr. made things interesting, climbing from fourth to second place in the final 20 laps. It appeared for a moment that Truex Jr. would beat Logano, but Logano did what he needed to do in order to claim a must-have victory — much to the displeasure of Truex Jr., who displayed his emotions after the race with two thumbs down as Logano celebrated.
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Behind Logano, Truex Jr. finished third (Denny Hamlin passed him at the last moment) and Kyle Busch finished fourth. A Stage 3 crash caused Clint Bowyer to have the worst showing among playoff drivers at 21st.
Updated playoff standings:
- Kyle Busch 2. Martin Truex Jr. 3. Kevin Harvick 4. Joey Logano (clinched) 5. Kurt Busch -25 6: Chase Elliott -31 7. Clint Bowyer -42 8. Aric Almirola -50
Sporting News provided live updates and race highlights throughout the afternoon. Here’s how Logano won:
NASCAR at Martinsville: Race results, highlights
Caution flags: 8Lead changes: 11 among six driversLap leaders: Joey Logano (309), Kyle Busch (100), Brad Keselowski (41), Denny Hamlin (31), Martin Truex Jr. (18), Clint Bowyer (1)
(All times ET)
6:23 p.m. — Truex Jr. is NOT HAPPY about the physical ending. He tells NBCSN that Logano won’t win the championship.
6:15 p.m. — Those final last laps were remarkable. Wow.
6:14 p.m. — Logano wins! What a great job from him to hold off Truex Jr. He nudged the 78 car off his path to cross the finish line.
6:12 p.m. — What a finish we have here.
6:11 p.m. — Truex Jr. moves into second place with 10 laps remaining! Can he pass Logano for first?
6:07 p.m. — Twenty more laps. Logano, Keselowski and Kyle Busch lead the field.
6:06 p.m. — Harvick has been off the pace for much of the day, but he’s climbed to eighth place with 28 laps remaining.
5:57 p.m. — Bowyer spins after a crash with Jimmie Johnson.
5:51 p.m. — It’s been a pretty clean run for the playoff drivers.
5:49 p.m. — Brad Keselowski is in the lead, but there are several cars close behind him.
5:43 p.m. — Right after the restart Chase Elliott has a car problem.
5:33 p.m. — Kyle Larson is done.
5:25 p.m. — Logano being in contention shouldn’t come as a surprise.
5:17 p.m. — Another caution flag comes out. Timmy Hill’s car is on fire.
5:14 p.m. — It’s about that time…
5:09 p.m. — Caution for William Byron.
5:07 p.m. — Truex Jr. passes Logano for the lead.
4:54 p.m. — Make that second place for Truex Jr. There are 170 laps to go.
4:51 p.m. — Truex Jr. is up to third place.
4:47 p.m. — Kevin Harvick is in 14th — lowest among playoff drivers.
4:31 p.m. — Ryan Newman receives a penalty.
4:27 p.m. — Logano takes Stage 2. Here’s the top 10 as it stands right now:
4:22 p.m. — Halfway done with the race. Logano is in the lead.
4:19 p.m. — It hasn’t been a good day for Kyle Larson.
4:14 p.m. — For the second time in Stage 2, Truex Jr. makes contact with another car.
4:10 p.m. — Weather could be an issue. We’re keeping our fingers crossed it’s not.
4:03 p.m. — Bowyer and Truex Jr. clash.
3:59 p.m. — We’re 185 laps in.
3:49 p.m. — Joey Logano has the lead. The Busch brothers are in second and third.
3:45 p.m. — Time to end the drought?
3:37 p.m. — Denny Hamlin wins Stage 1. Here’s how the others did:
3:30 p.m. — There are 17 more laps left in Stage 1. Truex Jr. is up to 10th.
3:23 p.m. — Playoff drivers are holding steady, occupying much of the top 10.
3:18 p.m. — Another caution is out, this time for Jimmie Johnson.
3:09 p.m. — Truex Jr. hasn’t been sharp so far, but there’s still plenty of time.
3:06 p.m. — Kyle Busch remains in the lead through 50 laps.
3:03 p.m. — Caution. Jeb Burton hits a wall.
2:56 p.m. — A little teammate drama going on here. Elliott is in 17th right now.
2:49 p.m. — Through the first 15 laps, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer are in front.
2:43 p.m. — Truex Jr. is among the drivers starting from the rear this afternoon.
2:34 p.m. — We’re just about underway.
1:38 p.m. — Johnson officially has a new sponsor after Lowe’s ended its partnership with him.
1:31 p.m. — Big news upcoming for Jimmie Johnson.
