A look at the winners and losers of Sunday’s Cup race at Darlington.
WINNERS
Brad Keselowski – He broke a 110-race winless streak and scored his first points victory since joining RFK Racing in 2021. It is his second career victory at Darlington Raceway and the 36th of his Cup career. He is the first driver to win for the team he has owned since Tony Stewart in 2016 in Sonoma.
Ty Gibbs— He finished second, the best of his career. A caution during the final stage proved key for Gibbs, whose tires had seven or more laps than those around him at the front of the field.
What the drivers said after Brad Keselowski won at Darlington
Sunday’s Cup race included door-to-door racing on the track and angry comments from several drivers.
Josh Berry and Justin Haley— They were two of three Cup drivers who had started every race this season and had yet to finish in the top 10, as of Sunday. Berry finished third. Haley placed ninth, giving Rick Ware Racing its first top-10 finish at a non-drafted track. Zane Smith is now the only driver to have started every Cup race this season and not finish in the top 10.
Chase Briscoe— His fifth place is the best of the season.
LOSERS
Chris Buescher— What do you have to do to win a race? A week after losing to Kyle Larson by .001 second at Kansas, Buescher hits the wall while leading when Tyler Reddick tries to pass but slides into his car. A furious Buescher confronted Reddick.who apologized after the race.
Ryan Blaney— Pit strategy and a fast pit crew helped Blaney go from 18th place midway through the first stage to finish sixth. Things changed at the beginning of the second stage. William Byron fell below Martin Truex Jr. and Blaney. Byron moved up the track, Truex and Blaney made contact and Blaney finished last. Blaney was upset with Byron for the move..
John Hunter Nemechek— His 31st place finish is the fourth time in the last six races he has finished 30th or worse.