Irresistible this Sunday, July 10, 2022, the Chase Elliott during the Atlanta event in the NASCAR Cup Series, a home race for the 2020 Champion, who finally managed to win a first victory on this oval.
And yet, it was Corey LaJoie who nearly triumphed and created one of the biggest upsets of the year, but the Spire Motorsports driver saw his hopes of victory dashed, during the last laps, blocked by… Chase Elliott!
As a result, the Hendrick Motorsports driver won on the occasion of the nineteenth round of the 2022 calendar, his third victory of the season, his sixteenth in his career but also and above all the first on the Atlanta Speedway and joined, his father Bill Elliott, formerly victorious on this course.
Chase Elliott who explained:
Winning at home is always something special for each of us. It’s definitely home for me here in Atlanta, home for many fans, but also home for NAPA, my main sponsor.
Finally upon arrival, sUnder the checkered flag, Chase Elliott wins ahead of Ross Chastain who made two contacts with the two Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin!
The podium being completed by the ‘rookie Austin Cindric, author of a regular season since his victory at the very prestigious DAYTONA 500, the opening round of the Championship, and who offers himself the third place. Erik Jones and Ryan Blaney completing the top 5.
Next in order, Daniel Suárez, Justin Haley, Aric Almirola, Cole Custer and Harrison Burton, ranked in the Top 10.
Huge disappointment for Corey LaJoie, who finally finished in twenty-first place only, following leading nineteen laps!
Which stated:
I have never been so close to winning. It was nice. I took my chance but it didn’t work. Chaseen great pro, made a very good block. The siren sounded in Dawsonville, unfortunately I wanted to put #7 on Victory Lane, but if we keep running like this, our time will come.
What regarding the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers?
They all had a difficult race, because in addition to the worries of Martin Truex Jr and Denny Hamlin victims of Ross Chastain, Kyle Busch found himself involved in two accidents and one hundred laps apart! As for Christopher Bell, he made a mistake
Next week, NASCAR’s premier division meets at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Peter GRISWOLD
Photos : NASCAR- TEAMS