Penske Racing Dominates Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen
The three Penske cars combined to lead 73 of the 82 laps in the Zippo 200 and swept the top two spots while leaving the rest of the field to fight for the leftovers. Logano was running inside the top five on the final lap as well but ran out of fuel which relegated him to a disappointing 21st place finish. Brad Keselowski was able to hold off teammate and NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) title threat, Sam Hornish Jr for the victory; the 24th of his NNS career and his 4th in his last four starts.
The race started off with a jaw-dropping moment when Kyle Busch spun just seconds after the initial start while trying to take the lead. He escaped with only minor damage until Mike Wallace made heavy contact with the left front of the No.54. Kyle Busch finished the race 24th and five laps down while his rival in the owner’s championship, Brad Keselowski put the No.22 in victory lane and significantly cut down the 54’s points lead.
Austin Dillon was able to maintain his position at the top of the standings, although it did shrink after a 12th place finish which could partly be attributed to fuel pick-up problems.
Sam Hornish Jr. is just eight markers back of Austin with Regan Smith five points back. Sadler and Vickers are also within reasonable striking distance.
The NNS will return to a road course again next weekend with their inaugural trip to Mid-Ohio.
1.) Brad Keselowski
2.) Sam Hornish Jr.
3.) Brian Vickers
4.) Regan Smith
5.) Elliott Sadler
6.) Parker Kligerman
7.) Justin Allgaier
8.) Cole Whitt
9.) Nelson Piquet Jr.
10.) Trevor Bayne
11.) Brian Scott
12.) Austin Dillon
13.) Alex Bowman
14.) Brendan Gaughan
15.) Travis Pastrana
16.) Reed Sorenson
17.) Landon Cassill
18.) Kasey Kahne
19.) Kyle Kelley
20.) Jeremy Clements
21.) Joey Logano
22.) Michael Annett
23.) Bryan Silas
24.) Kyle Busch
25.) Derek White
26.) Andrew Ranger
27.) Mike Bliss
28.) Eric McClure
29.) Tony Raines
30.) Kyle Larson
31.) Carl Long
32.) Anthony Gandon
33.) Joey Gase
34.) Kenny Habul
35.) Morgan Shepherd
36.) Blake Koch
37.) Jeff Green
38.) TJ Bell
39.) Josh Wise
40.) Mike Wallace
Four In a row for Bad Brad!
Brad Keselowski won the 19th Annual Zippo 200 at The Glen for his fourth consecutive victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). Keselowski, who led three times for 46 laps, Keselowski’s 4th straight Nationwide win is tied for second most all-time. Ryan Newman holds the record with five straight NNS wins.
Sam Hornish Jr. was second followed by Brian Vickers, Regan Smith and Elliott Sadler.
Hornish Jr led the field to the green flag after quals were completed earlier in the morning. They went into turn 1 and it looked like everything was going to be fine and then Kyle Busch spun out! He looked like he was going to save but bam! Mike Wallace just drilled the front of the Monster Energy Toyota throwing debris from the two cars everywhere on the track. Caution came out and both cars went to the garage.
We went back to green on lap 5 with Hornish Jr. leading and we made it out of turn 1 cleanly! Hornish Jr was pulling away on lap 9 but Keselowski passed his teammate for second and passed his teammate on lap 16 to take the lead. One lap later, the No.75 of Kenny Habul slowing in the bus stop. Everybody came in to pit road for their first pit stops of the day. Hornish Jr. wins the race off pit road followed by Logano, Keselowski, Brian Scott and Nelson Piquet Jr.
We went back to green on lap 21 with Kilgerman leading them to turn 1. Kligerman, Kasey Kahne and Andrew Ranger did not pit as they have a strategy on pitting. Ranger got shuffled back fast but Kahne and Kligerman stayed up there. Trevor Bayne spun coming onto the front stretch but no caution. Joey Gase was slow and stopped on the track about to go into turn 7 and the caution came out for Gase. Some drivers came in including Larson, Kahne, Piquet Jr and others but none of the leaders stopped as track position is key here.
Green flag waved once again on lap 31 with Keselowski leading them down to turn 1. He pulled away with his two teammates right behind him. Hornish was gaining though as by lap 40, he was only 1.193 behind his teammate of Keselowski.
Caution waved once again for the 4th time today as the No.32 of Kyle Larson blew up on the inner loop. He got a push back to the garage and that will end his race this afternoon. He will tho continue to race this evening as he will travel to Knoxville, Tennessee for the Knoxville Nationals. Pit stops occurred during this caution and Keselowski did not pit while Logano did pit.
Green was waving in the air with 36 to go and Keselowski slowly pulled away while Smith passed Hornish Jr for 2nd. Green flag pit stops occurred with 30 to go as the leader came in with his teammate Hornish Jr. Smith took over the lead but did pit the following lap. Logano and Allgaier did not pit as the caution came out and now they will lose a ton of spots. Allgaier went in and pitted but Logano did not so he will have to save fuel if he wants to make it all the way.
They went back to green on lap 62 with Logano out front. That did not last though as Keselowski took over the race lead 4 laps later. Kahne had to come in as he had a cute tire battling back in the pack. Logano had to let Keselowski go as he had to save fuel to make it. He was one lap short. Logano finished 21st.
