The 2017 Cup champion rallied from an opening lap penalty to lead the final 51 laps and beat teammate Denny Hamlin to win at Richmond and advance to the Playoff's Round of 12.
The High Point, North Carolina, native claimed his third victory of the season and his second consecutive in recent weeks at the world center of racing.
Ryan Blaney received a push from Kyle Busch to overtake and beat William Byron in an eight-lap dash to win the FireKeepers Casino 400 at the Irish Hills on Sunday, August 22.
The Elk Grove, California, native drew himself into a tie with Denny Hamlin for the lead in the regular-season standings after capturing his fifth Cup victory of the season at The Glen.
The Tampa, Florida, native erased his difficult regular-season stretch by guaranteeing himself a 2021 Cup Playoff berth following a late victory in the Magic Mile.
