Joey Logano came all the way from rear to win the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Speedway Sunday. It's Logano's first win of the 2017 season.
Logano, who was starting in his 300th career race, began the day 37th, making it the furthest back a driver has come to win at Richmond. Logano qualified fifth but was forced to start from the rear of the field after his team changed the transmission in his car.
“Coming from the back … man, it really feels good. I’m out of breath," said Logano on Fox Sports after the race. "We had a good restart and were able to get enough cushion. I think there were four Fords in the top five and that’s something to be proud of as well.”
🎊 YEAH!!! 🎊 pic.twitter.com/E5aSKXYljF
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 30, 2017
Logano gambled by not pitting with 34 laps remaining despite other leaders doing so. The gamble paid off when a caution came out just 10 laps later because of some trouble with Ryan Blaney's car.
Brad Keselowski finished second, followed by Denny Hamlin, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kevin Harvick.
Points leader Kyle Larson placed finished 14th.
Kyle Busch was having a great day and was in contention to win until he was hit with a commitment line violation late in the race. Busch was vividly upset after the race, and when Fox Sports asked him about it, Busch simply said, "Balls and strikes." Busch finished 16th.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who ran in his first race since announcing his plans to retire after the season, finished 30th. His day was derailed by a pair of wrecks just minutes apart from one another.
In the first wreck, Jimmie Johnson apparently didn't see Earnhardt, who was riding the high-side of the track, and the two collided.
“Jimmie didn’t know the car was there," Earnhardt said. "It wasn’t a great day. We made a lot of adjustments. That last run, I was pretty happy. Obviously, we were trying a wild strategy to stay out. … Just terrible luck. I don’t know what to do. We were probably going to finish between 10th and 15th today. Not all that awesome, but we just had terrible luck.”
Johnson, who was vying to win his third consecutive race, finished 11th.
Pole-sitter Matt Kenseth won Stage 1 after leading all 100 laps. Keselowski won Stage 2.
Here are the full results.
- Joey Logano
- Brad Keselowski
- Denny Hamlin
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Kevin Harvick
- Jamie McMurray
- Ryan Newman
- Kurt Busch
- Aric Almirola
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Jimmie Johnson
- Daniel Suarez
- Trevor Bayne
- Kyle Larson
- Clint Bowyer
- Kyle Busch
- Chris Buescher
- Danica Patrick
- David Ragan
- Austin Dillon
- Landon Cassill
- Kasey Kahne
- Matt Kenseth
- Chase Elliott
- Paul Menard
- Ty Dillon
- Cole Whitt
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Michael McDowell
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Gray Gaulding
- Corey LaJoie
- Reed Sorenson
- Timmy Hill
- Jeffrey Earnhardt
- Ryan Blaney
- AJ Allmendinger
- Erik Jones
MORE: Everything you need know about the Toyota Owners 400
Follow along below for live updates and observations from Richmond.
Highlights
Johnson had a rare situation happened with a loose tire. The tire uncontrolled tire forced him to the rear.
PENALTY: Jimmie Johnson, uncontrolled tire violation.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) April 30, 2017
Keselowski wins Stage 2.
Stage 2 Winner: @keselowski #NASCARonFOX pic.twitter.com/dG9GYLYqhX
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 30, 2017
Here are the top 10 finishers.
1. Brad Keselowski 10
2. Matt Kenseth 9
3. Kevin Harvick 8
4. Denny Hamlin 7
5. Kyle Larson 6
6. Ryan Newman 5
7. Jamie McMurray 4
8. Clint Bowyer 3
9. Ty Dillon 2
10. Joey Logano 1
Brad Keselowski passes Kenseth on Lap 164.
New Leader: @keselowski ! #NASCARonFOX pic.twitter.com/mBcMnz8d6k
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 30, 2017
Kenseth wins Stage 1 by leading all 100 laps.
So this means @mattkenseth no longer has negative stage points in 2017. #nascar
— Nate Ryan (@nateryan) April 30, 2017
Here are the top 10 finishers:
1. Matt Kenseth 10 points
2. Kyle Larson 9
3. Martin Truex Jr. 8
4. Kevin Harvick 7
5. Denny Hamlin 6
6. Brad Keselowski 5
7. Ryan Newman 4
8. Jamie McMurray 3
9. Clint Bowyer 2
10. Joey Logano 1
Earnhardt and Kyle Busch received penalties for speeding on pit road.
#NASCAR ... That was Dale Jr's 3rd speeding penalty this year. Only one driver has more this year (Reed Sorenson - 4) @NASCARonNBC
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) April 30, 2017
Rookie Erik Jones ran just four laps before getting loose and crashing into the wall. His day is done.
Caution early! Take a look at how rookie @Erik_Jones ended up with damage at @RIRinsider after just 6 laps. https://t.co/vsAEN7eEfA
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) April 30, 2017
Kenseth started from the pole and led his first lap of the season.
Matt Kenseth has led the first four laps and is stretching his lead. Coming into today, he had not led a lap this season.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) April 30, 2017