Full Race Replay: First Data 500 from Martinsville Speedway

the fact that will be chase Elliott in the 9 will go to Kelly Stavis and Rick it should be fun to watch chase Elliott the runner up finished right here at Martinsville in the spring he showed he had a fast car again this weekend qualified on the front row but as you said due to an engine change will have to start from the rear so his crew chief Alan Gustafson told me they certainly have the car to do it now he's gonna have to have the patience to get it done and if chase Elliott can get to Victory Lane for his first time here at Martinsville he'll be the first to punch his ticket to the championship 4 in Miami Parker and Kelly Kevin Harvick enters the round of eight two points below the cut line and he's starting in 22nd position but do not fear Kevin Harvick fans it's a hot slick day he said this plays exactly into my strengths at Martinsville Marty Parker two things for Denny Hamlin's team in the playoffs that they focused on number one working on racetracks with Denny Hamlin is good and two focusing week to week they have spent months getting ready for today here at Martinsville we'll see if all that preparation pays off let's get the round of eight kicked off and the engines fired here in southern Virginia at Martinsville race fans it's time for the most famous words in motorsports here to give the command to start engines please welcome president and CEO for Fiserv Frank Miss ganado welcome to Martinsville drivers start your engines [Applause] Parker mentioned it's a hot race day and is actually the warmest Martinsville race in 15 years how will the teams handle it you Denny Hamlin's in the best spot of his career to be that championship driver he's got great speed he's got promise but he's got experience he seems to be doing all the right things the Daytona 500 Denny Hamlin it's gonna be the spoiler today where do we think Denny Hamlin stands moving into this round he's ready to win this championship is he the most dangerous driver curler this is the most championship ready driver and team that I've seen can the Virginia native finished what he started I asked him earlier today Danny what do you have to do to win he said well I've got to have a fast car and I can't make mistakes we know he's got a fast car now he's got to take care of not making those mistakes and get to Victory Lane the official pace car for today's first date of 500 is the pink Chevy Camaro zl1 and for every pace lap 350 dollars will go to the American Cancer Society Awards you see in that car on the race track probably not as much as you know some would like but obviously that means a caution has come out I also want to take a look at the starting grid brought to you by coca-cola and Steve upfront we mentioned Denny Hamlin's so strong chase Elliott also up there Hendrick Motorsports has been dominated this racetrack so he's representing them up on that first row but because of the engine change he will have to start all the way at the back he will we have Joey Logano in row five row six how about this William fire in twenty one-year-old driving the 24 car has never gone to Victory Lane but that car number nine times 224 cars won at Martinsville could this be the day gets his first ever career making his fourth start he's only finished inside the earth right it barely inside the top 20 and 20 yeah Hendrick Motorsports so much success when you talk about that organization go further back here baby Raymond Daniel Emrick Alex Bowman another Hendrick driver back in wrote 10 and then surprising when you get back here and you see names like Kevin Harvick and row 11 it is you know he went out very early involve buying I think that hurt his lap I think that's why you don't hear any sort of panic out of the four teams can be in to see him Jimmie Johnson all the way back in row 12 I mean it was Jeff board that it was Jimmie Johnson Bennett was Denny Hamlin Jimmie Johnson career long winless streak this is the place right Dover at Martinsville the two tracks he's dominated more than anywhere can you rekindle the magic at the short track row 15 you see Matt Crafton name in there that is because Matt Tifft was here at the racetrack yesterday went to the infield care center then went to the hospital was checked out actually went home and so he will not be racing today thinking about Matt tip making sure he is okay healthy and we hope he gets back to race track soon they're starting 36 Corey Lajoie driving the Mystery Machine great paint scheme so cool can't not miss it on the racetrack and jr. we're gonna have some pretty good perspective so as will ride along with a few different drivers today yeah that's right chase Elliott's got the mount Duke camera on his car right here on the left front bumper as he tries to work his way through the entire field all day long gonna be some great shots there Joey Logano has the coca-cola cam a reverse driver camera see right there inside the car warm in tires up mount Larson has the coca-cola cam on the roof here but yes side Pinner in that car as well it's gonna give us great shots of him racing side by side with guys through the field at Ryan Preece at the Kroger cam left front bumper as well just like chase Elliott and then Kevin Harvick brothers Pizza camera he's got the foot camera we'll be able to see how he's using the brake pedal obviously how he's using the gas as well a very critical at this racetrack so it's a great shot there and we can go from the feet working for Kevin Harvick all the way up into the aerial coverage provided by coca-cola that right there is why this place is called the paperclip Martinsville Speedway very long straightaways narrow turns and either into the track and steep let's talk about the numbers for this race it's the paper clip too many to me very simply my favorite race track on the circuit there's nothing like short track racing in Martinsville is it 500 laps 263 miles a little over a half mile in length and as always you're gonna have some stages stage 130 Stage two also 130 those very important for points will be distributed final stage a little longer 240 laughs fuel window 150 laughs that is a long run but it can't be done and as you said earlier this is it the round of eight race one for a few more updates let's go down to Parker and guys for Jimmie Johnson who's starting 24th and talking to his crew chief Jeff Daniels you know Jimmy's won here nine times but cliff was telling me this might be one of the toughest for him because of what they're working on inside that 48 team it's not just about running well they're redesigning every single process inside that race team Kelly well once again Kyle Busch starts this round of the playoffs at the top of the standings but the points are tighter than ever kyle has just an 18 point cushion over that cut line and while his crew chief Adam Stevens feels like they can win at any track they show up - he is good here eight straight top-five finishes here at Martin everybody wants to talk about last year's race I asked Joey Logano moments before he climbed in the car would you do it again would you move someone for the win at Martinsville he said why wouldn't I it's the only reason I want a championship you bet I would do it again we'll find out in 500 laps as someone is willing to do that Rick I bet we find out before 500 laps we might find out a lap one if somebody's willing to move someone out of the wood I won't lie Rick I'm nervous rain overnight has cleaned this concrete surface this to be the cleanest track these cars have run on half the crew chiefs adapted and they tighten those cars up we're about to find out as they will rock it into turn number one Denny Hamlin aric almirola making up Row one green flag in the end one way ticket Martinsville and Jenny Hamlin perfect through what and to surges out in front aric almirola now under fire for Martin Truex Jr of the 19 state mission it rained overnight it's gonna make that outside correct outside lane even more difficult to get fired up it needs to get rubbered up just a little bit should be a big advantage of the bottom right here for a little while pretty wide down the back straightaway Michael McDowell in the middle of that 14 car we talked about in the start of the road show Jeff how that can try to create some problems you guys look it's create an issue for the 20 car who's gonna lose multiple spots here Erik Jones on the outside still three wide [Music] right now Joey Logano doing his best kind of nerf at dinner for 20 out of the way a little bit now look at a blind up underneath Joey Logano he knows and it's got a he's looking really really hard for a hole to try to jump into yeah they move McDowell out of the way now Logano trying to get in behind Oh Kyle Busch he could enjoy the Gatto a break right there Mandy mininet oh really worked with him don't upset him around decided not to early in the race won't see that time is later all some will you Byron are to use the bumper in that 24 and he moved the car out of the way so that he could take a position now he has a beer full of the 18 of Kyle Busch right on his back bumper us we see Brad Keselowski in the 2 making the move to the inside of that 34 David Ragan what a dominant performance we saw out of Brad Keselowski earlier let 446 of the 500 laps in the earlier race this year so impressive when you talk about Bart so it's not just the shape of the track not just a concrete surface in the corners but the inside of those corners you see that red and white checkerboard that is just not a line painted that is curbing it's not quite 90 degrees like you're curving on your street at home but it's still tall 5 to 6 inches tall you hit that with your left front tire I can shoot you up the racetrack Steve unique to when you were giving me the race breakdown you mentioned that the stages are 130 but they can go 145 to 150 on fuel so they don't have to come during this stage for fuel no green flag pit stops possibly it can run all the way green and while they have enough fuel and the bigger tires don't wear out as they get warm they do lose grip so these cars do slow down as they run and those rear tires are the ones that usually use lose grip the most so hard to accelerate off the corners late in a run so that pass right there that the two Brad Keselowski bado Matt DiBenedetto that was a really good opportunity to see right there Matt had a huge hole behind him so what he had a luxury of doing it's just kind of left the 2 car go did that can put up a fight let's look at again that's something you don't for me see it Barnesville especially this early after a restart keep an eye on that all day long how work hard to find a place to go when somebody gets underneath you Bert you mentioned a gap that's normally we can tell if someone's holding someone else up because if you have a gap in front of you and the cars are right behind you you're the slow car there and they're stacking up behind you what a big move they're like Joey Logano though just to go easily by Kyle Busch the 42 sideways Harvick into his door slid him up the racetrack my god I was trying to pass my clique down had a little trouble doing man got up the racetrack allowed the four of hearts to get their little contact there typical racing at Martinsville Larson back to the bottom of the racetrack trying to manage his position not trying to lose any more spots there one driver that's making some work on the outside is the 48 of Jimmie Johnson none of the passes have been easy but you see on the outside of Ricky Stenhouse here Jimmie Johnson that bright 48 he's up inside the top 20 currently 18th and we can expect that from a guy who's won here nine times right see right here Kevin Harvick earlier had a run no Lawrence and Larson trying to block him this time Harvick gets doing uses a lot of racetrack it's kind of sends him out of the way it's a huge race for Kyle Larson in my opinion has not been good here good contact only one time ended his career this racetrack he's not hide up in points that that kind of race he's gotta have a good solid race you see the bright green number nine Mountain Dew car the Chevrolet driven by chase Elliott started at the back well-documented because of the engine change we talked patients what does that mean this is what that means he has a much faster a scar but only up to the 27th position working right now inside two cars on his outside he rolls the kerb two for one that's a good corner when you hit two now he has a little breathing room to the next car the 21 of Medard drivers that's when your patients are tested right with their two wife in front of you kind of take your time pick and choose your spots really don't leave us three while I looked out the window view said patients and I went east three wide you've gotta push the button you gotta go as a lab suck off it gets a little bit easier he should have a bit better of a long-run car that the cars use racing around and his last line down on these tires those guys start to slip pickings become a little simpler as he climbs to the field right on new tires he didn't make a lot of progress cuz everybody's cars driving really good when the tires are brand new he's already he's just over a quarter mile and Atlanta there's a lot of cars between he and Denny Hamlin but that's how quickly it happens 18 laps chase Elliott is driving into turn three right now Denny Hamlin's coming off to her two and Denny Hamlin has caught the back of the field so he is beginning to lap the tail end of the field here at Martinsville Hamlin leading this October Chevrolet has teamed up with the American Cancer Society to help find a cure use hash tag I Drive for this October and Chevrolet will contribute five dollars to help end breast cancer it's Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs from Martinsville Speedway and for the first time NASCAR champion Swede is going to Music City you can be a part of the celebration and join NASCAR in Nashville that's December 3rd through the 5th visit champions week nascar.com for more information of very warm a day in Martinsville Party you doing ok down there while we're all fine down here Rick and you can see right there the warmest in 15 years here at Martinsville now 80 degrees may not sound like a big deal but when you think about Martinsville races are usually held in April and late October so that means usually cool here but it is very warm today until Jeff a firkin back to races here at Martinsville in the past like Ricky Raj getting out the car in victory lane and needing oxygen same thing for Ricky Craven when he won a race here this is a physically demanding racetrack and one that drivers usually don't expect to be this warm - how much is that weather gonna play a factor today in 500 laps here around the paperclip it is an issue Marty the hottest race I ever remember running was at this racetrack and it was that Ricky Rudd race that he won and I'm telling you is about 89 90 degrees that day and I thought I was in trouble of that halfway through caution right now caution flag has come out and it's debris on the racetrack nobody is pointed in the wrong direction and it's actually it looks like a brake duct maybe Steve roling across the front stretch well there's some sheet metal hanging off the right rear corner of the 59 came from somewhere I see a breakdown on the front stretch oh you're getting ready to see it's the nose of the 36 look at that right there the catch is the fun that quarter panel peels it open like a tuna can and that but there comes the rest of the brake carbon fiber that can cut a tire tons of debris everywhere now decision time okay plan for their tires I think the leaders will probably stay out I don't think the tires are warming up or slick enough to come to pit road but I do expect it to be a split somewhere if the leaders do come it wouldn't shock me up someone like chase alley maybe stays out tries to get all that track position and you think the tires are wearing well enough that you might not have it possibly a two-tire stop even I think two tires is an absolute possibility from what I hear the left side tires do not wear very much they lose grip as they get warm but they don't wear out like you're not going to go to the fabric we see the 11 of Denny Hamlin take the left he comes to pit road it looks like the whole field is following him that is a tight pit road Kelly yeah but they're making their way down in that 19 of Martin Truex Jr also going to come in to pit road sounds like Martin says it's just getting slick out there he needs a little bit more center turn in his number 19 car waiting on the tire call will have to wait to see about four tires is the call Kelly another factor when it heats the tracks going to start taking rubber Ryan Blaney saying that as the track is taking rubber for him it's making this car a little bit tighter going to be four tires for Ryan Blaney as well for leader Denny Hamlin it was getting tied in the center and then loose on exit for good your tires for him a quick stop for Blaney and his bunch but Denny Hamlin with a little bit longer stop and Martin Truex Jr will win the race off pit road we'll see what happened the 11 white if you were passed there Denny Hamlin got by him race off pit road brought to you by Kroger [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] NASCAR on NBCSN is brought to you by Monster Energy unleash the beast credit one back the official credit card of NASCAR perfect for race fans Toyota let's go places and buy coca-cola share a coke this season Danny Hamman Bowl sinner led the first 30 laps but on the pit stop first to fifth and here's wide when the crew comes to the left side the jack the left side up everything's fine when they go to try to put the left side tires on though the car is not high enough the jack man has to go back jack it up some more five positions he's in that coveted number one pit stall it should be a huge advantage but just because you're in that pit stall doesn't guarantee anything you still have to execute no mistakes we'll see how good that 11 is now he's in traffic and that's what Denny had said you can't make mistakes if you want to win this race now it's March Rex jr. and Ryan Blaney making up Row 1 as they come back to the green flag Bart Rex jr. out front what I asked Bart if he thought it was gonna be a fight between the Joe Gibbs Racing cars today he Denny Hamlin Kyle Busch three very good cars he said you know what I think Clint Boyer looks really good that that's a car that I've got my eye on the 14 all right there Clint Boyer example down the bottom of the racetrack see that fight all day long Joey Logano Brad Keselowski most stuff on the outside on that outside after a few corners and the space created between the 10 to the 14 now the team can really dive into that corner and create some great speed entering and exiting and he takes the spot from Joey Logano that's 14 diving down to the inside of the 41 flip Boyer he won't sit spot contact teammates out there racing hard Rick you mentioned two three Joe Gibbs Racing Cars well how about three stewart-haas racing cars Suarez in the 41 Moyer in the fourteenth amirola in the ten fourth fifth and six teammate Kevin Harvick back there in the 12th spot yeah the three stewart-haas cars really throw a blanket over the top of Marty a club warrior with a fantastic run so far you mention there Rick and other drivers were talking about good for year that 14 car Wilson is in this the playoff football you told me we have the best car we've had all year long too bad it's a week late but Boyer with a shot to win another Martinsville race where he's been terrific in the past Parker party that far on the outside of Daniels scores of 41 was super optimistic about how good that 41 car was here did you see him fighting it as hard as he can on the outside he just felt like this car was one of the best he'd ever had at Martin's own he's not giving up on that teammate down the inside them feels like he's gonna everyone feels like this team and then there's aric almirola the third stored Haas racing driver in the number ten car also very optimistic feel like they have the good a chance of winning here as they've had in some time and now even though they've been eliminated from the playoffs they say they are treating the rest of the season as though it is the playoffs their goal still to finish them as high as they can in the season-long goals coochi Johnny Claus are happy with the stability of that number ten cards hit their strength will be over the long run what a run by Daniel Suarez past the fourteen on the outside now look at the four team Clint Boyer maybe puts a bumper to it plant Boyer's on fire right now he is so angry with Suarez for a city bad hard on the outside you can hear it in his voice frustrated but Torres his cars good look at he driving away his car is good Junior this is where Mike bugger ravaged the crew chief for the 14 Rick you talked about it to top the show be a psychologist Clint boy is upset that's the fire you want from your driver but get on the radio remind him we are 87 laps to go in this stage 457 Rick's 457 laps to go Larry we're not fifty laps in and your drivers already frustrated you gotta remember Suarez he's racing for a contract he cannot lay over he has to show them I belong here that's what he's out there racing hard for all of his teammates have locked up contracts for next year Daniel Suarez has not so does that open the door for maybe a young Xfinity Series driver Cole Custer who tribes in the Xfinity series for Stewart AHS still has not decided what's happening in 2020 as we see Ryan Blaney now under attack from the 11 of Denny Hamlin labin is so versatile he can move up the racetrack down the racetrack roll around the curb watch as he works this 12 of Blaine you wonder how you make the pass at Martinsville Denny Hamlin is getting ready to show you passing another fast race car he enters hi-c almost a groove up that should allow him to turn down off the corner get a great run down the front straightaway stays within striking distance of the 12 party I guess for both of these cars Ryan Blaney no Marvin's never been his best racetrack he told me but we've learned how to be better here probably one of our top priorities over my career getting better at Martinsville we can lead laps we need to learn how to that's a big deal Denny Hamlin certainly knows how to win here and I think it's a testament Steve to how this race team operates differently as he goes underneath Ryan Blaney trying to get him here for the second position after that pit stop not a word said in the past maybe that wouldn't have been the case with him he has a car that can win here and it's early in the race go ahead hand out the window and appreciation for Ryan Blaney not racing ever Lisa guys at 11 has taken over the second position now he sets his sight on the 19th you talked about that entering high and coming off lows basically a crossover booth lap after lap after lap corner after corner until you can position yourself underneath that driver both the 12 car fit a variety let then he go then he's gonna continue to use that line even when he's not trying to pass somebody you get such a great straight run off the corner and it protects the drive off on the rear tires over the long run great pass here by the 9 car chase Elliott going by the 42 of Larson sailing that's a 14th place going yeah they show chase Elliott officially starting 34th and as you said now battle up to the 14th position one potential concern Steve he says his temps are getting high his water temp at 290 degrees of oil at 300 LM Gustafson said they'll just pull some tape off the grill next time they come to pit road at what point do they become more concerned than that well Kelly I like gallons playing keep his driver calm so we're gonna get some tape off it that's one thing about traffic normally at a big track find some clean air if you find some clean air Barnesville you let me know I've been looking for it for decades it's never showed up I'm here in traffic all the way around this tight half-mile [Music] [Music] lap 58 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs for Bart's booms telecast presented by coca-cola all right Steve let's take a look at some outback group sign takeaways from Martinsville a fan in the curbside takeaway right steak and lobster you talked about a 13 to 15 races and at least 11 costs talk about caution filled race tough to make decisions on with the pitch last two ended on the last lap with a pass on the last lamb in the margin victory always tight seven of the last eight within a second well I don't think anybody gets out to too much more than a second lead here if Kevin Harvick places in the top 10 today you get a free bloomin onion with purchase on lumen fun day right now Harvick just outside the top ten running 12th we got a great opportunity to ride along with Kevin Harvick that foot cam my brother's pizza get a chance to check out what he's doing it's going down the back straightaway right now off the throttle meet Lee on the brake got much brake pressure uses and trails off the brake trying to be off that brake once you get about halfway around the corner and you want to be off of it it starts breaking a little bit early even still on the gas just a little bit they can tap the brake just so does trying to keep the nose of the car for pushing up the racetrack will trouble corner anything there Parviz one of the drivers that we see that modulates a brake pedal really on and off the brake pedal more than most drivers taste right now see right behind him Jason tried that hi intrigue crossover move in the middle of corner trying to get my thunder need that for car and a good run right here make Kevin Harvick's will let it go no need to have this battle with the ball but good hole to get in behind him that's how you make 500 lines to Martinsville good decisions it'll be a point of the race for Kevin Harvick won't be able to make that decision that easily but right now 68 goes this stage that's the perfect time to do that you guys call it there as he watch him come up the corner you see the wing a little bit of entry just too loose inside that 4 car right now but keep your eye on as you guys at times Rodney children tell me so if they can find a way the use of those wider entries and get a better drive off the 4-bar might come back to life yeah racecars don't like to come off the corner with the wheels turn you can't get the power down it tries to spin the tires so the straighter you can have the wheel the better you can get the power now so entering Kai turning the car in the middle the corner coming off straighter what it's all about here I think one thing we perhaps don't talk about enough here at Martinsville is just the amount that the track will change over the course of a race normally it changes dramatically from start to finish I think it's gonna be even more today because of the rain last night and because of the later start time we're gonna see the lights come on I'm not sure anybody knows when the track cools that quickly how much it's going to change and you already see that concrete started pretty clean pretty new you can see the rubber going down guys that's really changing how these cars are handling we just saw chase Elliott past Kevin Harvick well here he is now putting pressure on Erik Jones chase Elliott started dead last did he get stage points he's not that far away from it he's got Erik Jones in front of him Kyle Busch right in front because now ski not far in front of him he's got a lot of cards that are directly in front of hill that he could go he could earn stage points in this first stage that'd be a huge victory for his team how do you manage your emotions guys because right now you just mentioned it chase Elliott's about ready to pass Kyle Busch is that something that is more frustrating than anything getting passed by a guy who you know started last on the field you can't add two drivers that's what I'm wondering yes I know you're asking a man in chase Elliott great he's having a Bartonville you want to have it's fun when you drive up through the field obviously they didn't want to break an engine and lose practice and all those things but it is a lot of fun when you could drive up to the field the way he's done yeah right now Kyle Busch is thinking I just got to get my car a little bit better - Brad Keselowski spoiled when the night goes by he's gonna think no I got to get it a lot better because that guy right there is the class - feels he's driving up through here Kelly yeah you're exactly right junior crew chief Adam Steven you see for Kyle Busch told me they never quite hit the set up perfectly in practices that's okay that's pretty typical for Martinsville you really just gotta keep up with the track as you guys talked about the right now Kyle struggling just a little bit he says the car kind of pulls the back end out at about the five and eight smart in the turn he said he's trying to get on the throttle but all it wants to do is spin out so there's some kind of adjustments they can make to help him out next time down pit road drivers sometimes call that lateral grip you lean on that right rear tire all the way around the corner and you want it to always have grip he's talking about it not having grip right around the point right here where he's trying to put the throttle down Steve what are some of the things they can adjust in that car to give that drive off that lateral grip well you have to come up with some adjustments and how much time do you want to use on pit road you know I think you could put a little left rear spring in it with a spring rubber but that takes a lot of time on a pit stop track bar comes to mind instantly should put the back of the car in the track I will say though you have to ask yourself is the lateral grip a problem because it doesn't turn well enough and the car pushes first or is it something that you're actually gonna have to secure up those are the questions I'm asking my driver what do you really need start at the beginning of the corner how's your entry can you get it like you want can you run through the middle like you want all of those things affect that point in the corner well I can tell you who does have enough for your lateral grip that's he'll chase Elliott there's no way jr. that you could enter the corner as hard as he's enter in the corner and as dry as his dinner the corner without security if your car doesn't have that lateral grip on corner injury you've got to get to the bottom sooner if you don't you never catch up with the back of the car chase Elliott has a ton of confidence look at much higher enters the corner to everybody else Kelly with essentially no practice in first practice they only had the final practice to work with in crew chief Alan Gustafson told me it wasn't until their very last run and that final practice that they finally hit on it and it felt like they had a car as good as anyone in the field as for making up this friend I asked Alan what you can expect he said I don't know but we just might make it into the top five by the time stage one is done and Jase is doing a heck of a job up to 11th right now Dominic Starr he's gonna have to get by will be Kyle Busch if he wants to get to the total run he's got to go past part Rex jr. leading by one point [Music] [Music] let's take a look at who is on the move brought to you by Chevrolet we've talked a lot about chase Elliott and started at the very back because of an engine change that took place during the first practice anytime you change an engine you have to go back to field no matter where you qualify even though he qualified second he has made up already since the start of the race 24 positions and Rutledge you've got a pretty good perspective of all the moves he's been able to bank right I sure do Rick up here on top of the Skydeck it is an amazing view and it's really exclusive come take a look and what I can see here only 200 people can see this but I can see how Kyle Busch's move just a little bit and changing that line what an effective make so Dale I want to know from you is it literally a game of inches here a few inches to the left or right can change your lap times that great and keep somebody from passing you here important to yes you see is go around this racetrack that dark area where the right side tires putting rubber into the racetrack you try to either go above or straddle that cuz as that gets laid down the right front tire the right side tires tend to slide through that rubber in the car doesn't want to turn roll the center as well as before so go in a little higher and maybe straddle that or even above that and then turn down across it in the middle of a corner if you drive up yeah driver this made an adjustment this driver right here at Kyle Busch Kyle Busch is getting run down by chase Elliott chase Elliott with that high entry straddling that rubber you were talking about Kyle Busch changes lines and what he did he picked up got faster so he wanted to three or four he's right on that curve but whites even wanted to drives in there a little bit higher entry then right there up the racetrack a little bit straddles that curve that doesn't even leave on the bottom that's helped Kyle Busch that time he was the third fastest car to track running that line he's been pretty amazing any time he ends up on a short track you look at the last 14 short track races Kyle Busch has won six of them and 13 of the 14 he is finished in the top ten so anytime you go to a short track you look at the driver of the 18 think definitely he has to be a favorite right now Kyle Busch running in the ninth position again it's Martin Truex Jr and his teammate up front Denny Hamlin has moved up to second after passing Blaney for the spot then Suarez Clint Boyer all the top five aric almirola as we see Clint Boyer and Suarez side-by-side back together again we saw right after the restart the 14 tried to pass the 41 work for multiple laps with Daniel Suarez held on on the top now the four Keyser's run him back down he's got position on the bottom of this slower car allow the 14 to clear the 41 or will Suarez give the position up the Boyar looks like this time he's going to be forced to let the 14 go stay that's a good example right there of a short run car versus a lawbreaker Daniel Suarez past clip boy on the outside drove away from him now this rut has gone on 56 58 laps and Clint Boyer as far as now is switch now he's better than Wes Parker in Jeff that might be able perplexing the Daniel Suarez because he told me before the race the interesting invent thing about that [Music] that was actually a strength so it's starting to get away from here just lacking a little clear grip right now party I tell you bright grin from the spotter for club Boyer turned his money today trying to get Clint through all this traffic and up through the field and also keeping him calm kind of encouraging him saying hey there's 38 to go in this date we had a long way to go man and much longer in the race clearly you have a great long run car take care of it see how much is Martin till about coaching and pulping the driver during the day coach driver how to drive they have way more talent than me that's why I was on the pit box but the emotion of it is absolutely your responsibility you can get off the pit box get a drink of water relax drivers are in that hot race car lap after lap with the frustration right here guys looks like you mentioned short run long run Jeff looks like the 12 of Blaney has a pretty good long run car is inched into the rear bumper the 11 and Ryan Blaney is a guy no one has talked about coming into this race but my ladies been pretty good here license lately and some good runs and he's part of that Penske race team that we've seen win here so many times so I would not count Ryan Blaney out he was really good at practice it's a little wave they're saying thank you for working with me ever since he was came to Penske full-time in this 12 car it's not quite been able to match the success his teammates crack his last enjoy the gun oh but man it's the chase this year in the playoffs this year he's done an amazing job staying in the hunt and I didn't have him in my final four but here he is running in the top three actually running down what we think might have been the best car in that limo carved in handling doing an amazing job early in this race morning faster speed than here late on the run like you guys talked about 34 laps ago in this stage and they not only have worked here at Martinsville but you really can apply Jeff what you talked about to the entire round of eight now they will tell you this is our best round in the playoffs you look at Martinsville when they've clearly gotten better Texas Bryan's one of the best racetracks and Phoenix where they've gotten better as well they truly believe there is a path for them to make it to Miami and it might just be with a win here today is in Christ to get second here from Denny Hamlin it's a great way to serve notice that you're ready to win this championship if you can take a fight if Denny Hamlin Kyle Busch Bart Truex Jr at this racetrack that shows that you and your team are ready for this battle I think a lot of people were looking at the 12 or Brian Blaine thinking well he got into the round of 8 but Kenny advanced well right now he's battling for second this race is brought to you by McDonald's give you a breakfast of tuna with a delicious Egg McMuffin made with a fresh cracked egg and sizzling Canadian bacon wake up breakfast with McDonald's [Music] let NASCAR drive for your live race day companion you can follow your favorite drivers with a high-definition in-car cameras or you can select alternate camera angles to see more of the action visit nascar.com slash try Joey Logano running in the sixth spot as we see Alex Boland looks to be going a lap down now Martin Truex Jr about to put him lap down Bowman running in the 20th position this 19 car ever since taking a lead on that cycle of pit stops is really driven away from the front of the field little bit 2.2 second lead over Hamlin Blaney and third boy or fourth we talked about this racetrack and how it changes in the rubber build enough well there it is that's just a rubber from the right-side tires actually building up on the racetrack and it builds on top of itself and if that gets worse sooner you'll see drivers have to straddle if you see them and sometimes it'll start coming up and it feels like you're running over gravel yeah so that was the thing when we stalled when we saw the 41 car swore his fate just a little bit his teammate catchy I was thinking well it could be as carbon is he moving around is he noticing how that is building up on the racetrack and trying to avoid it to maintain speed in his car party hey jr. I asked did he handle about the track taking rubber because it's such a warm day here at Martinsville clearly he has tons of late-model experience obviously a different carpet they race in much warmer condition traditionally when Jenny would run the race and he said it's sort of like doable here throw that in our pre-race show he said you'll lay down rubber and then under caution you'll pick it up once again kind of cleaning the racetrack in essence a seat I'm sure that's going to make for a big headache for the crew chief so they come down pit road here at the end of the stage with what changes they'll make to the car I think that's why it's so important for crew chief to ask his driver at lap five and then at lap 20 then at lap 50 and continue to ask how his cars driving because I don't think it's fair to ask Denny Hamlin or Ryan Blaney to get it done with a 75 or 100 lap run and say so how to drive the entire 100 laps give me the beginning the middle and the end you kind of have to quiz them over the course of the run so you have to have a good memory you have to remember back 75 laps even though maybe you've been battling a different driver every lap that's pretty good memory let's listen in to ryan Blaney's radio [Applause] talked about the rubber clapping up on the racetrack is building up you can go above it and it'll go away completely when the cost comes down pick it all back up and then lay it all back down again and I think we would not see this if it wasn't these warm temperatures today they've been cold has spent all weekend with me climbing up like that bird battling aric amirola 4/7 these guys been going side by side for several laps so when that rubber does start building up Junior kid now you're underneath somebody you no longer can just run wherever you want to it's hard to straddle it your right side tires get into that stuff it's almost again it's like driving down an asphalt road and then you're turning slowly and getting gravel minute did you hear that noise you feel the tires spot and that's exactly what it's like and let it move they're almost a cross over from it Eric on the 24 fire and thought better of it going into corner 16 laps to go we're gonna go NASCAR non-stop as things are gonna get intense points about to be paid at the end of the stage you [Music] [Music] [Music] just eight laps to go and stage one of the first date of 500 from Martinsville Speedway and this is how close it is from Kyle Larson playoff contender going a lap down at Martinsville Martin Truex Jr race leader now just seven laps to go and can he get by the 42 South he turned his car off the corner Kyle Larson is nothing he can do a little bit a few laps and then hope then he doesn't run down the three car of Austin Dillon and lap him so it gets the 42 the opportunity get the wave around guys talk about the 42 of Larson this is the track I had circled for him in this round statistically his worst racetrack he just need to come here kind of survive a boy major issues see right here his average finish outside the top 20 at twenty three point six so even one lap down you mentioned it dude you try to stay in that free pass position now that you've been land stay close enough to the leader only six laps go in this stage Kelly because this track has been a struggle for Kyle Larson he has put more work into improving here I've been any other's places crew chief Chad Johnson said he's put more effort into this race and he's seen out of them in the last four years he's been looking at other drivers data poring over notes they came here with a different car a different setup a different approach and he said if nothing else I really want to see it pay off for Kyle because he's put so much hard work into it but has just not been able to move forward now he's one lap down running seven Kelly all that work put in by Kyle Larson I mean that's great work great effort but his teammate Kurt Busch is running 18th we need to work on the cars some too you don't have Kurt Busch here running an 18th we know how good he is here we gotta find some speed but see right there the 19 I don't think he's going to get to the 3 that's a big break for Kyle Larson that's a great point great point about the one Jeff pointing out what kind of equipment to have look at this battle right here chase Elliott went around the outside of the 18 around the outside of the 41 41 car struggling here at the end of this run that's got chase two to two spots two points he moves into 8th position now he's trying to run that High Line and get a good Drive off them momentum on that chin car ever all that's for 7 yeah Eric's three wide up there pretty aggressive now just one lap to go from our trucks junior in stage one can he get by Austin Dillon that would keep Kyle Larson a lap down the brief pass would go to the first car a lap down and right now it's still Kyle Larson unless the 19 gets by the three only outside tried to make it happen my tricks juniors in a way staged mtj that is the seventh stage win this season we have a fourth already in the playoffs part trucks juniors Denny Hamlin Blaney Boyer Logano top five Elliott Kyle Busch also collecting points [Music] you're watching the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs is telecast presented by coca-cola damage the accelerate trying to close that gap those lap cars have the 19 5 or 6 cars in front of the 11 11 wants that use that number one pit stall to his advantage kimi leapfrog the 19 on these pit stops Kelly yeah well Martin Truex Jr said he was quote happy with the race car after they made a wedge adjustment last time on pit road then he said maybe he was just a little bit snug and could use it a little bit more turn in that number 19 car it's going to be four Goodyear tires and Sunoco fuel Marty Kelly Ryan Blaney with terrific you saw that cap Denny Hamlin hat with all those lapped cars in between that Steve was talking about we'll see though this number one fits all pays off for a few tires from him said the front end went numb at the end of that run and indeed Denny Hamlin jumps from third to second there guys actually holding serve for part trucks jr. nobody losing spots through the first six [Music] [Music] [Music] that's called NPCs cns brought to you by Mountain Dew do the dew we were last night just outside the racetrack spending some time with some fans running some Farsi cards or you see a sound will trouble to restart there ended up winning that race do we have a little competition don't change the tires well this one what's the second one I lost this year but lot of fun drinking Mountain Dew hanging out with fans and it goes better without you know with the Mountain Dew biz hot dog I think ruts down there and then feel maybe where we pick up smart dogs right jr. you got that right I am at the world famous hot dog stand where they're gonna sell 10,000 of these Martinsville hot dogs this weekend I told him to load it up it's got the slaw it's got the onions I added a little mustard a little ketchup little relish went out a little pepper guys if you like to send me your order just text it to me I'll bring them up to this week myself you guys are doing a great job up there I just had to take a pit stop myself front I won't 12 yeah go ahead and send up maybe 12 for our booth to Chile and Buster did apparently napkins will need a few more napkins the looks of things look at the stage one two results again those in yellow are in the playoffs and points important as far as getting out of this round at least one driver is going to get out based on points and you saw no points for Kevin Harvick or Kyle Larson their name not on that list finishing the top ten all right we see Bar tricks juniors taking the top guys this has got to be a plan don't you think of China the 11 let the 19 in keep the gifts cars one two that's the plan right here field approaching the Geico restart so Indy Hanlon slow the clip are not playing oh wow he's like I you gonna slow down that bunch I won't take second so now what does that do the second the next time you do this video and there's gonna be a little less willing to work together because this might cost him two spots good kaustubha position here to the 24 car buyer and he's got the 12 right on his bumper and he's trying to get you back a little bit of that he lost when you quit Boyer and you see the leader pick the outside and put a guy's teammate on the inside you know what he's doing you know what your game plan is he knew he could accelerate he might be able to get at least next to the 11th car he I don't think he thought he could clear him place one of the better cars in practice you don't want to give him any spots and now Denny Hamlin's frustrated right he's stuck on the bottom he's in this battle will you buy on the outside of this cleared he found a fifth spot to that car back there chase Elliott around his buddy Ryan Blaney lady with a great car but he's dropping back a little bit lose the positions on this restart on the inside he also was hurt by that choice and that agreement with the Gibbs cars when didn't hit that started cause plenty of few spots on the inside as well and that starts building frustration right two teammates they're working together but they messed me up it's a long way to go in this race but those frustrations have a way just continuing to build on you throughout the race look at this the four team Clint Boyer all over the back bumper abort Rex jr. he's gonna it's gonna be on that bumpers be hard to get around this 19 car I don't know that he'll get physical that might be what it takes to take that position away if part wants to maintain it I think you will win for you right good boy is not in the playoffs William Byers not in the playoffs you don't want us you know hitting somebody you know what's gonna happen you think you can hit them and move them out of the way next thing you know they're going backwards and you don't want to be the guy takes a opportunity to win a championship away from somebody but at the same time the auto win it's very difficult spot them for I like the aggression he's the second place because of the restart you mentions of Denny Hamlin on the bottom wolf though basically on purpose to allow the 19 down but he doesn't go dramatically allows the 14 to jump in front guys not executed very well at all perhaps I should run side by side and Denny Halen she let Church go off of turn two maybe they'll have more success yeah just wasn't timed right you see this done multiple times and didn't either got surprised that have win with the 19 win not real short after there but it was not executed properly Artie hey guys check in Tracy just on that for a long time here at Martin till usually with success and usually it's called off late in the race we'll see what happens but for Clint Boyer running second right now Burton we brought up a great point what do you do if you're a non playoff driver junior you were in this situation before you came to the fall Martin full race with everybody else in the playoffs how do you handle that almost you have nothing to lose right why not go and move someone if you need to do it for the wind yeah that's a tough position to be in a guy that's in that position at 20 car Erik Jones got moved up the race track down in turn three and four lost a lot of spots he wasn't really fast in practice and I was thinking about just that thing that Marty was discussing his here's Eric John for the fast car ever in a situation leave this race to win the race he's deathly gonna have three of his teammates around him in a race him for the championship and that really handicaps his ability to be aggressive Parker if you never talk to his team about that ask them that exact question how do you race you see their slot in behind ride new in the six car they said look Harmon County right now is that we are in the playoffs behalf act that way because that's the way we are going to get better from when we're in the playoffs next year he said in terms of racing people we just have to be smartest no different than the other time we're not going to do anything maybe overzealous in some respects in terms of getting those cars but we're going because this team can be further in the playoffs and we went this year now you mentioned the 20 get set up the race track it's really a great save contact here they're three wide I'm not sure the 20 knows they're three wide or maybe they're not completely three wide but Matt DiBenedetto says no I'm in here this is three wide he kind of runs the three up which catches the 20 who goes for a big big slide look at this wow that's like full lock to the right he's working in here and as we checking out this replay of the 20 the 88 of outs moment had to come to pit road for service we'll get a report then what exactly the issue was they did right-side tire Steve but he was a lap down already so coming into service that car obviously not on a scheduled stop as we see Erik Jones has collected it again if it's one he's got Paul Menard behind him Chris Buescher in that 37 behind him Aaron is struggling right here daily top speed he had before and almond arms in the back of the last four we talked about how great these tires are they do not wear very much at all around this racetrack but they do lose grip when they get hot if you go slide off the corner like that it's a good thing to say this but you've run the tips up on them things for several laps it'll be a while before they get the grip back in them hey guys just a quick update on Alex Bowman there is a loose wheel that brought him down thanks Parker I was wondering that you bet you are definitely not scheduled so and the problem with short track racing and one pit road unlike in Bristol it's just one continuous print road here at Martinsville Alex Bowman now multiple laps down and it's hard to come back from that Kelly I've been talking about all the work that Kyle Larson has done to try to get better at Martinsville it just doesn't seem to be paying off quite yet during that stage race Jr was doing kind of a pep-talk said look I know it's frustrating but just keep your head down we'll get better stay in there and information is coming from the SMT data that all teams have access to other drivers data and they're providing that data to Kyle Larson in an effort to help him give his some information to make you better problem is he's not driving the car that they're giving the data off of right so I drove a lotta race cars and I you had to drive them all differently based on what they were doing and that's something that I think you're trying to help drivers sometimes teams don't get right like I promise you the clip Boyer's not driving his car the same way in second the Partridge Drive in here's the first they both run about the same speed there's already been a lot of beating and banging on this short track the paper clip Martinsville Speedway move out of the way here I come absolutely beautiful day in Martinsville Virginia the serial coverage presented by coca-cola Tuesday the show that continues to leave us stunned does it again the powerful new season watch TVs number one trauma this is us Tuesday on NBC shadows starting to creep down onto this racetrack as Bart trucks jr. has 1.1 second lead over William Byron who is able to get by Clint Boyer when we talk about a rig that 24 car gone to Victory Lane nine times here with Jeff board behind the wheel you know else it's not a victory lane nine times check it out the crew chief of the 24 so that combination is really really good the 21 year old driver making it work guys we talked about Kyle Larson and the struggle he is having here we know how talented Larson is does it surprise you how quickly William Byron has been able to adapt to Martin I don't think so William bard has a ton of talent we know how good he is say that people say we hadn't won a race yet but it's coming there's a lot of gum we embark as a long future this board and just to be clear he passed but Boyer if he is running for 2x down I love it I love the fact that Williams having a great season in Slade a year running a great race out here today how long does he have Jack and house that's the question how long will Chad be part of this young man's career they're certainly good together so the question now is how hard was the 19 running is he saving tires it's he gonna just stretch his legs and farther 24 or is the 24 better we're gonna have to see in the next few laps in a William Byron attended his first race here back in 2006 of big Jimmie Johnson fan it's time to go through the field brought to you by KFC let's start with killing who has been quiet over the radio and an outstanding start to this race he's now than 141 laughs it has been an outstanding playoffs this team has easily outscored the other playoff contenders more than 30 points more excuse me more than 20 points more than the nearest competitor which is Kevin Harvick remember at least one driver will get through to the championship race in Miami based on poise alone if they don't win this race they want to be in position to get their on points Marty William Byron sitting in second Kelley in the booth boy hits in a moment ago chat canals and William told me before the race man laughs come to a place like Martinsville I totally lean on chat canals this is a tough place to me his best finish ever at Martinsville 20th sitting in second right now kind of strange that two drivers eliminated last week from the playoffs run second and third when we're sitting up there in third Brett Griffin saying hey put it on cruise control man we have a great car especially on the long runs let's ride for a little while meanwhile Denny Hamlin on 4th right now and on pit road they want to make some changes when Denny comes down next time what do they want to change listen on the radio clean yet today but Chris gave heart knows what kind of car they have and so does Denny Hamlin especially in the long runs Kelly this tricky half-mile track was a struggle for chase Elliott his rookie year but he has worked hard to get better he was runner-up here in the spring crew chief Alan Gustafson told me the most impressive thing about it is that this track is counter-intuitive had to have chase likes to race Ian's had to completely relearn how to drive here he has done just that running in the top five now remember Marty he started from the rear Ryan Blaney back in the sixth position trying to get that spot from his buddy chase Elliott gives a wolf he's saying the partha 3/4 mark a little bit too tight for him in fact he's described at a moment ago as quote not good and the little comedy on the radio he said I'm not sure I'm driving pretty well either but I'm doing my best out here trying to get that spot from Elliott Kelley aric almirola championship run run ended a little bit early still tryna stay in playoff mode his crew chief Johnny class Meyer told me the biggest thing they need to work on through the remaining remainder of the series that we see a wreck wreck on the front stretch the 13 of ty Dillon has slowed and stopped coming off turn four they have our attention right in front of the leaders only a few cars in front of the leaves the 13 gets spun around let's take a look at the way this gets started so looks like tried to turn down oh right over cross the nose of the eight car of him Erick yep he turned he turned down across the nose of the eight drove him Ringold to the curb [Music] so what you're afraid of when you get back there in the back having this kind of horses ready for that he was the last car on the lead lap it seemed a chance to catch the breath a little bit make another change in his car yeah him and Harvick as well Kevin Harvick all the way back in 15 struggling right now we teammates running really well up toward the front the field you know he knows what they need to prove that car gives a chance total pit road do that we're talking about improvements to the car this 11 teams still trying to work it out we just heard the radio asked if they'd handle it and make some adjustments to how he stopped in the pit box trying to help this crew out now hands all the way back to fourth no lap cars in between them though the front four cars come to pit road nose to tail this should be an advantage for Hamlin and that number one pit stall Kelly chase Elliott will be first up on these pit stops he pits from the fifth position he's been pretty happy with the balance of the nine car he's just trying to keep up with all that rubber that's been laid down on the track but he said overall just okay four Goodyear tires for him then you see that leader the 19 of Martin Truex Jr he also said he's still pretty happy with this car maybe just a little bit snug the senator Hill awesome can't work at your tires Sunoco fuel Marty Kelly you can physically see Denny Hamlin pull it a little wider in the saw we'll see if that helps the left side of the car here quick on the right side for the 11 team he said the entry is okay I can charge the quarter like I want to but the back end is real real clear he said it almost like hops on exit Denny Hamlin though will lose a ton of spots here on pit road you see it losing three positions back football for Martin so Martin trick gingers to the leader back at martinsville under caution and on board with chase Elliott because there are problems for this playoff driver they think there is a broken axle chase that I think it is on the right side they have just called them to come back down pit road you'll see the replays here of his pit stop under that last caution [Music] and they're yelling at the crew right now to attend to the right-side axle on this number nine car who's now sitting on pit road and we're just moments away from the restart so this is going to cost them some valuable time Kelly out into the left side the left rear tire didn't spin when he left pit road well how the locker works of either axle brakes it's got to really confuse the rear gear to understand which tire is trying to put power down the most important thing is that the nine sits to make repairs here comes the field for the restart 48 had smoke coming out they must have made contact on pit road they came back to pit road a second time as Marc trucks jr. has surged ahead now the fight for second Ryan Blaney and on the outside Clint Boyer smoke out of the 2 of Keselowski he's got more smoke down at turn three and four at that car must be a tire rub happening in the corners the 48 hit the 13th tire on pit road that's why they had the damage a lot of smoke still coming out of the 2 of Brad Keselowski now he's got a left rear tire rub yeah we're gonna see it right here just oh yeah you can see them damage and the smoke the concern is if that's the tread of the tire pretty thick not a lot of problem is that's the sidewall especially with a sidewall the tread meet the second is won by Boyer Ryan Blaney running third now that rub is high up on that side wall guys we'll see how long it lasts see if the sheet metal can get hot enough to clearance itself or if it gets hot sometimes it folds in on itself as the 18 squeezes inside to 22 pulling to let him down there and all that powered on well milady to kind of bother everybody up behind them made a huge race to the bottom in the one and still on pit road is the 9 of chase Elliott and Rick I think you called it I now have to see the team team go from the right to the left side you know it's hard to judge which tire was is broken which axle is broken or is it a gear you know we're still assuming it's an axle until they remove a broken axle I don't think we can confirm man it's a gear Steve it's really hard to get that out there so hot you see so many times they'll catch on fire when you take them out they've been yelling for someone to go get the left side axle they've had to go back to the hauler in the garage to get one but now they're calling to change the left side as well you called it when the car left and then left that left rear tires didn't never spin just kind of rolled off and so they're they're sending so much spending so much time on pit road right now losing so many laps and points and pulls in points the points are just plummeting for the 9 of chase Elliott our trucks Junior continuing to lead Clint Boyer behind him that it's Blaney and William Byron running in fourth right behind him Joey Logano Pete don't you think it's interesting that here at Martinsville 9 car hit of team broken axle we also saw an axle problem with the Penske car Dover a few weeks ago this mechanical gremlins are some like gremlins and someone because all of these components have become part of tuning here at Martinsville you actually can run two different diameter actions because they're two different lengths you run different diameters to try to get the torque the same on both rear tires but we're only talking 292 laps into the race so you would imagine this is something must have to break when they drop the jack it's just crazy right Jeff in the 22 times if you take the green flag at Dover here's a nine when the capsule issues a broken engine this is about the weekend they broke an engine at Dover to start the race this is one time that you know these teams don't communicate a whole lot complete competition but when you start having problems with similar components then the teams will start talking and they'll start shared a little bit of information for the better of both teams gets them to see it that happens on Monday well Jana remember this is Hendrick Motorsports only playoff car right everyone else is eliminated Jimmie Johnson didn't make it 88 in the 24 were eliminated before this round remember the nine broken engine here first practice early in that practice so tough mechanical weekend for the nine car gingerly the 9 of chase Elliott rolled out of his pit stall and is going to the garage we see that this tent has trying to work around the 11 of Denny Hamlin that'll add that car starting the race so strong but as the track has changed and then the bottom of the screen you're onboard with the nine this is a lonely Drive you do not want to go into the garage now they'll be able to return I know there's that damaged vehicle policy people get concerned he's down on any sort of clock it's a mechanical failure they can repair the car and return the issue is currently 37 out of the 38 cars that started the race this is a track that's doesn't normally have a many DNFs leader the cars that have accidents usually can't continue so it's hard to make up points by continuing to run creation right here Denny Hamlin he was a guy we've all been talking about at the best car thought he had really good speed he has fallen fast you know he's only in seventh but this is the team you expect to run run the whole race and aric amirola is putting a lot of pressure on him Truex his teammate still lead Kyle Busch is teammates in front of him so right now this 11 car they're gonna have to make some changes if they're going to get better Marty and Jeff I think those changes really need to happen here on pit road they have struggled on pit road then it was a collective five spot so far for Denny Hamlin that certainly doesn't help the restart that didn't go well certainly didn't help either as aric almirola precious in here for the seventh position I think they know they have a car that can contend today although the last one did he was a little concerned car was literally hopping off the corner a weird feeling he almost never had me here at Martinsville befores aric almirola tries to get that spot thank you so hard to adjust you have something they've never heard is a complaint what knob or dial do you turn what adjustment doesn't need is it air pressure is it wedge you see aric almirola drives underneath the 11 he's going to move on party mentioned issues on pit road well the bigger than the 48 of Jimmie Johnson coming out of his pit stall hits the tire of the 13 of ty Dillon that was being carried and also he hits the 2 of Brad Keselowski so that's why we saw the damage on the left side of the 2 [Music] you you [Music] [Music] coming up on 52 laps to go in stage two of NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs telecast presented by coca-cola mixer on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. join the morning drive because Jeff Burt will be there that's NASCAR radio channel 90 BC sports on Sirius XM and Burton always fun when you're able to join the back man and Pete must owning great conversations I'm sure they'll be plenty to talk about after this race and then looking forward to Texas totally gonna improve in his car this race goes on closing in in this spot right now working on firing there you see the crews trying to fix the snack car for chase Elliott everybody over at Hendrick Motorsports working on that car I saw the boss walk by mr. H is over there over seen what's taking place there is again Kelly from the under Hendrick come over to lend a hand Allen Gus is sending chase from inside the concrete of the car of gone through just about everything that they think it could be as they're changing the gears now on this nine part as well Allen has told him to also have a look at the clutch and as you said as we saw a chase that it just felt like one wheel wanted to go and the other one didn't show the gun oh he's improved his car his teammate both I mean Blaney's been fast but when it's race started Logano didn't have great speed was Phaeton a little bit Keselowski dropped back outside the top 15 he's worked his way back in the top 10 Logano though worked over this 24 car let's talk about why he's running trying to figure out how you get closer to that guy make a pass do the gatos you see right there nobody's really just wrapping around with a curve are they they're all using a lot of racetrack in the middle of corner I guess the rut goes on though use even more you see way of losing uses a little higher injury right there Logano trying to leave on the very bottom and in the breaks here right to the curb a little bit of a diamond in the center gets up back down up off the corner down the straightaway is it sure William Barnes live corner exit not really on the bottom of the racetrack you know not really on the curve Otto is Connors running a traditional Martinsville hit that curb leave in the corner William Barnes using a Weibull racetrack called exit I think we're at the point now you see Logano closed just a little bit when that 24 takes a little bit higher diamond in the center of the corner I think we're at the point in this rut now where that rubber is starting to stack up in that groove right where the right side tires run and try to avoid that probably is going to be better for Griffin speed Marty you guys are white Joey Logano's made massive improvements to that car Todd Gordon made several changes on we are way better on this run taking off and we haven't paid the price in the middle of the corner yet Logano certainly good at Mart until they know how important this race is guys Todd Gordon says this is the second most important race of the years because she can punch your ticket to Miami I think one important note to make Parker is that we're really seeing the track change a little bit and you're going to see different guys up front that we saw earlier in the race for sure Marty in one of those cars that you might not see up front though is the 4 of Kevin Harvick currently running 15th position memory starting this race 22nd and in stage 1 drove his way all the way just outside the top ten felt like they're making progress on it but then he started to drop like a rock just with that last caution and this would he had to say under the caution and he recently expanded on that to say if we don't get this right we're in the racetrack we are in big trouble a lot of pressure on the four car to get handling right somebody else in trouble talked about earlier Jenny Hamlin right now under pressure because illowsky it's not what we expected that's just where we you know we talked all week right all week about how much efforts guards into the selected card Martinsville happen oh this is their race to win and be performing like this this early is gotta be disappointed yeah I'm real surprised by how this cars run on this particular set of tires I'm sure he can't wait to get him off and get some adjustments and try something else Brad's been really good to him right here great point then he's kind of taken advantage a little bit of the situation he knows that Brando's he's in the playoffs he knows hopes Brad will cut him a break party just trying to hang on to that eighth position right now and Jeff you were talking about the couple that went into this race for the 11th when did they start preparing for this fall Martinsville race about two days after the spring race they made Denny Hamlin come to the simulator run a simulated race run to simulate and practice River Chris gave artist crew chief was an Xfinity for many years to a whole list of things he wanted to try they put a massive amount of effort into this one day seeking this with their best shot to get to Miami so far we're only 222 laps in not even halfway but they are not very happy with where they're at with the 11 machines let's ask Denny Hamlin one of the guys I think probably be best getting around Martinsville to get better at Martinsville you know I've never heard of a driver running an entire simulated race on one of the manufacturers simulation before then I have to wonder these shadows now is that affecting the track and the way the crew chiefs need to set up these cars [Music] [Music] [Music] there's the mobile unfit cockpit box that's where you'll see post race coverage coming home right after today's race and then it's victory lap and proving grounds take place after today's race again the first opportunity to lock a spot into Miami in the championship for right now it's March trucks junior but Clint Boyer Ryan Blaney Joey Logano all looking stronger later in this run and Rick 20 laps pathway when we talk about 500 laps how long it is we have seen a broken axle the 48 had damage on pit road Brad Keselowski had left rear tire rub Denny Hamlin was good early he's falling back now it's Truex and that's not even at the per I mean we haven't even got to halfway you see if this track has continued to change right so a lot of times in this race track we see somebody that's really good early but not so good late I believe these busy cars is 12 ablating 22 Logano I think that this Puli track right now it's shaded it one and two this cooling track I think is benefiting them market and you got a wonder if that's the case because the 22 has come alive and lady who's been solid all day long she even better especially early in the run but Joey Logano is at 22 and I think you're right Jeff this weather is changing out here it's important to not hate the tracks Wynkoop its first big swing of the day and you see these Team Penske cars coming to life but like little contact between that 1214 off turn two a little bit of bitter damage on the right front of the 12 is just a little bit but it was loose before he got to him though Grayson that's just smart until you can if you plant you got a not to get mad about that right that's just next esparto racin he knew he got loose before blady got to him becomes a god oh he's gonna compete a Clint really soon he's now my god no ganas all that he knows that fourteens got a problem or a grip he's gonna try to push issue tonight rolling out of the garage right now he'll be coming back on the racetrack but he's quite a few laps down currently running in the last position 38 Timmy Hill it was a spot ahead of him is already 31 laps down looks like 52 laps down for chase Elliott well they're in a bus win now right guys hey I don't see any way around it I have to go the 1x2 next two races and win yeah barring a major catastrophe early in the race next week that takes up a bunch of players or yeah I bet it got ahead of myself that I have seen I have seen some steam come out of a radiator here in a restart it could happen again 48 points back for [Music] the 19 42 of Kyle Larson is 42 points below the line the 4 of Kevin Harvick 28 points below that cutoff line again we mentioned at least one driver will make it on points into the championship for but a win and you move on [Music] riding along with Joey Logano he's running in the fourth spot it's still March Rex jr. Ryan Blaney has been able to pass Boyer he's up to second Boyer now running in the third position Logano fourth William Byron his 5th to the X Colin 17 and a double 0 had to make it and to really push the issue to get mile white he was running him down just trying to be calm but just couldn't be comedy for longer had to go [Music] look lady be able to clear the bolt through three and four he's gonna get to the inside sure enough look at Bo's he is now [Music] and that's the gap so Ryan Blaine trying to chase down Martin Truex Jr with 19 laps to go can he catch him if he does what will he do we're gonna go NASCAR non-stop you won't miss a thing for this battle for the lead you [Music] [Music] back at martinsville 11 laps left here in stage 2 22 pit road with a flat left rear tire not a playoff driver but running in the top five consistently today man this one's gonna hurt for Boyer's well you didn't get worse now yeah they changed the left sides it's a flat right rear tire for Clint Boyer they came out they put brand-new left's on it the right rear tire is going flat watch this is not going to work he's going to go down to the corner yo sits on the right side track bar up the right rear tire is flat on the 14 you see it it was not a left-side tire when you pit under green guys you got to put four tires on it I know you you want to try to save a lap but this is the risk I've made this call and been wrong before so yeah will this force NASCAR thought he was trying to get down the racetrack but he couldn't no matter the caution has come out sorry-sorry rick delivered tire had all the writing rubbed off of it so they just assumed it was a left rear all along it was a right I know people at home were like why didn't click know that it's hard to know that you would think I know here's the thing you're gonna lose 45 seconds regardless man you might as well lose 50 49 and put four tires on it so easy to say four up here but I know why they changed too I know what they were thinking trying to save that lab but this is the negative they're gonna have major issues Steve could there be something else wrong because the left rear quarter panel is actually dragging the racetrack well I think it runs so low that perhaps it got down I don't know and all the answers yes absolutely something else could be wrong maybe the five tire damage something out big decision do you go after points at the end of stage do you kid it looks to be like with 68 laps on the tires everyone comes to pit road Kelly and as soon as coal per crew chief for Martin Truex Jr and this 19th team was told that pit road was open he immediately made the call to bring Martin down pit road and Martin has been really quiet on the radio as he has had to work his way through traffic throughout this they call now four Goodyear tires Sunoco fuel for the night team Marty coming down pit road Ryan Blaney saying his car was looser and looser on exit you see a track bar adjustment going on there bottom of the screen little left-hand corner you see Joey Logano gonna make four-tire change as well their car also to free a lot of drivers talk about how the track has gone through a swing here Martin Truex Jr with a nice stop for that bunch Kyle Larson stayed on the racetrack could be interesting in to the stage here with just seven to go gonna get the green about five ago [Applause] [Music] you [Music] possible next week the excitement of the Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs is gonna get bigger at Texas Motor Speedway there's always lots of fun and interactive things happening at the track at no-limits Texas go to nascar.com slash tickets to purchase your tickets today Kelly Chad Johnson crew chief for Kyle Larson in this 42 team doing a little strategy they stayed out here's why he finished by saying worst case scenario we wind up 18th for spots worse than we would have I should think worst-case scenarios you get hooked from behind and get wrecked yeah that's my concern for the 42 I mean listen I don't hate the gamble I know what he's trying to do relapse he's fighting for three laps right now to finish in the top ten watch what it does to Blaney in that inside line how they gonna deal with this he actually gets a better restart than the 19 of Martin Truex Jr but he tucks it behind him Blaney has to check up now Blaney hard-charging on the inside for second they know it's a race to Kyle Larson they know he's a little retires and who's the first one to get to him Martin hanging on right now as he comes out of four now he'll see the white flag one more time around two more times or excuse me two more times around so the fact that he got out in clean air I don't think he will still win the stage I think Trix is kind of perhaps get to it but it's gonna be a huge gain from the 14th position he was running in before the pit stop Larson now has some 19 of our choice jr. behind him now it's one to go the final lap in stage two arson to the very bottom of the racetrack just trying to slow everybody up in the middle the quarter so that's huge right on the bottom he's gonna try to get to the inside trying to win this stage side by side through 3 & 4 are tricks junior fights for it and he'll win stage 2 9 points when we leave Phoenix in two weeks and the 42 car makes it on points go back to Martinsville and the nine points at the end of stage two crew chief big call restart well done by Fowler Kyle Larson stays out a big strategy call by chat Japs of crew chief for that team he was able to hold on for two laps but then the last one it was March Rex jr. the only one that was able to get by and he finishes second [Music] [Music] NASCAR and college football are a great way to share a coke with a friend and celebrate the fans I brought a friend here today Bubba Wallace the share coke campaign is back for its sixth year but even bigger and better you can swap out on any of your favorite coke brought up a collegiate over 60 teams collegiate professional of course I got Tennessee Vols oh go Vols I've gotten the Notre Dame Fighting Irish you know they're taking on Virginia Tech next Saturday on NBC it's gonna be a huge game so grab a coke share one with a friend and go Fighting Irish go balls but go Dawgs go Dawgs well that's because Rutledge lives in Georgia of course he would throw that in Kelly after that great call to keep Kyle Larson on track he gained nine stage points there his car has been tight he lacked for a drive but they have made went to justice track bar adjustment air pressure adjustments you see another chassis adjustment just there trying to get the car better for Kyle Larson to go along the sport get your tires to know quick stop for the 42 but only one on the lead lap that came down that was in contention [Music] the final stage of Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs from apart skillspeed white marvel flashback thinking about my buddy John Andretti chef Gordon I we thought we had a battle bunks ourselves John and Jamie can't even pass both of us done and ready to Cup wins one IndyCar race drove a Top Fuel Drag car it was the first guy to ever run the Indy double got a pet be a great feeling get the king and victory lane to Martinsville where the king won so many races thinking about my buddy John today I'm sure he's watching as we see Martin Truex Jr and Ryan Blaney getting close to the Geico restart selled Truex Jr on the inside Blaney on the outside Tariq's it's good drywall's is that inside line does it advantage play cleared his teammate nicely in the second place battle rages on behind him did he have a sliding them to track their kiss Lasky Erik Jones getting into it now Brad Keselowski saw an opening tries to get to the inside of the 11 of Denny Hamlin maybe picks the buffer to it great something Brad got in the car oh hi can't lose trying to stay out of the back of the lemon car always tits times these restarts you have to go you gotta go get someone you can this is Martinsville basically in a nutshell right here you've run half the race you talked the same names over and over and then here Brian Newman shows up in the 11-foot disposition Austin Dillon up inside the top 50 Kevin Harvick the one of Kurt Busch this is a racetrack Arifin you can hang around on that lead lap hang around all day long that you never know how the cautions are gonna come how the research are gonna go just what a shot right here my brother Pete scam and this is example we've seen Kevin Harvick struggling all day these people stuck on the outside trying to take advantage of its whereas gets to the bottom the next frustrating cuz you thought you had him now you gotta keep the pressure up a little bit of a run go to show Torres it's my spots where is he took the bait gaining the spot maybe little teammate help right there yeah it look like Swiss I think it's a good front off now he's gonna take the bottom back at some point you have to get aggressive when does that switch happen witness Harvick these guys start to use it for a bumper running out of patience what the guys are racing around if it's look what's behind him how Larson the old group of our society feel the pressure for that it's not only are you on offense you also I also have to play a little bit of defense because if you get choked up off the bottom and they start lying upon the you can lose a Thomas box right here are some of the great runoff turn to the inside of Harvick and into turn three this is where Harvick's got to be smart he sees that right now he's got a hole there's a hole to go in he decides to fight let's see if that works for Harvick at nine they're too wide behind him as Larson got better throughout this race as we see him make the pass on Harvick take 13th away I don't know I don't know that Harvick's gotten better you know Harvick just struggled all day Larson's got better than farming but but compared to a compared to two right now oh yeah this Harvey can I don't think Harvey's good enough I agree I think he just says more about harvest car his struggles they're having he loses that spot that's really unlike uncharacteristic for for Kevin here and I wanna race here it has been a long time since gathered one here in an unfamiliar position for Kevin Harvick as well he came in to this race and this round of the playoffs in the bottom four which he hasn't done in quite some time so now Kevin Harvick needs to fight for positions and points although he has been very good at Texas and Phoenix the two races that are coming up next the talkers maybe Suarez stewart-haas far than Larson Chip Ganassi Racing but this stewart-haas car the 10 of aric almirola he's right up inside of top five top seven all day long he's been in the top ten all the one lap today the 24 fully fired as well running up front all day here they currently are running fourth and fifth we continue to talk about the track change and out Pamela's good tricks taking over well these two cars have kind of stayed the same position different players around them but they've stayed right here a really good battle 2x is driven away from this group we've seen that over and over all restarts it looks like Blaney maybe not quite as good as he was beforehand and as this track transitions if we get a lot of lot more shade lot more cooler temps how is it affecting these cars Marty you got it Ryan Blaney just came on the radio Junior moment ago and told chairman bones ban the Jays you made really hurt us I am plowing tight right now so what do you do here if you need me hold your teammate back there you know you got a good car you know track position starting to mean everything in this race to let your teammate go what do you fight him for the second spot yeah you gotta fight he's got to be guys behind him in line it could cost you a lot of positions so you have to fight and you just hope that your teammate he's struggling - he's behind you but maybe his quarry great either that's right you don't you X is better but you you don't know what they got you get ready to find out gonna show you but but it was a great example Joey Logano just showed him a look up quicker and that right there wasn't a hit to knock him out of the way it was a Hitler hit to say look I'm better than you are oh yeah same way that view to the bottom was gonna happen again as three turns in a row he ran in the back of the 12 car Ryan Blaney you gotta get to still holding that bottom he's not moving over it Lilly's teammate by that's four more corners in a row what do you do if your lady well today he's got I don't have any space five he doesn't have any space to go but a carve on the rollers right behind the guy so you get this spot up he's gonna die cut him off this time all right he dives it down in there Blaine he obviously sees it all there he's in the quarter panel gotta be careful we'll be seen in flat tires happen cars making contact all right now that's six seven I don't know how many we lost Beverly shoves he by the way he hit him earlier the corner that time that time he got it go quarter entry way when he hits the body the middle you're not really good here I don't think Roger Penske would be laughing at what just took place between his two cars racing for position [Music] [Music] tonight in Kansas City Sunday Night Football Aaron Rodgers leads to six and one backers at Arrowhead to face Travis Kelce five of two Chiefs coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern football night in America that's all the way on NBC 207 laps to go in the first date of 500 Erik Jones a left rear tire flat on that car he came to pit road Parker inside the top 10 he heavily damaged there they felt like the baby broke the tire down you see it right there and they were having a problem actually get the jack on its left side you saw the jack underneath the fuel cell jacking the car up to put the spare jack underneath the left side jack post a long stop on the 20 Stevie we send a lot of flat tires and it's basically guys having contact with the left rear is they got these cars so low to the ground now the left rear quarter panel basically hangs over the side of the tire yeah that's up for the crew chiefs yeah it's just got a lot of room for that left rear quarter panel to get pushed in the other thing I asked myself is you know are the right rear tailpipes hitting the left rear tire when they make contact in the middle of the corner I do agree with you the quarter panel is a big issue but those tailpipes I've seen a test of a few times tail fights first tires tail five sons of beat it's a really good battle right here did he handle that working over Kyle Busch any doing what Denny Hamlin does on corner entry it's hasn't opened up really high entry look at look at my tire is in the 18 it's a car to turn these are the wider rear grip he's not able to take that fine and use it as an advantage is basically to kind of maintain his position at speed able to get those runs that he wants to create up off the corner for this limit car to car gets any closer to him he won't have that as an option anymore see right there the to deliver a quarter battle so he leaves that hole open for the 2 car now the signal has been sent now the 11 cars got it put that he's got to start entering on the bottom and now his car to drive good who seems like they haven't improved that 11 car that's Martinsville right you want to do exactly what did he did open up to entry get that turn that's great when you're by yourself but the minute somebody puts pressure on you're not you can't do it because they're gonna fill that hole 12 24 cars are battling out here Byron his past TN air camper Olaf for fourth place drew right up to the back of this 12 car plane who still struggle with a tight race car rolling around that bottle party how frustrating is Martinsville well Ryan Blaney knows it and when your teammates running you're pretty hard doesn't make things much better here's what he had to say on the radio that's the clean part of the radio that we can use without Joey Logano of that spot now sitting in third with an extremely tight car as you mentioned junior and that William Byron's trying to get around them for that third spot and ladies been really smart as far as doing only what his car can do now the 24 is underneath but ladies been rolling that bottom really tight and slow he's making everybody really have no other choice but to run into the back of it just bump it's a hey man I want to get through here you're much slower than I am so but the 24 using that sort of crossover booth they want to get under feet playing you off the corner make past with a tight race car when you get to the middle corner you just slow everybody up and even when they hit you the back you car is tight it's hard to knock you out of the groove that's why we saw the Gatto eventually have to hit him on corner entry when the car wasn't loaded up it's a Ryan Blaney doing a really nice job of playing defense here guys Kevin Harvick is currently running 11th and we talked her about how much he was struggling inside that 4 car [Music] like that cars come in a lot he started to turn lap times their top three fastest on the racetrack and I think this goes the woman will you're seeing there guys look at that shade certain people to train tracks we talked about the transitions are happening they've made some big change over for court but I think the race I could come right in front of him Kurt Busch Brian even been side by side since basically went back to green flag drove Annette school bus drove it up into the top ten here and he don't want to give it up there not it you're not allowed to pass a school bus right Junior it feels like it's as big as a school bus I promise you but these guys aren't good though Kurt we talked about it before we were not running well he's running in tenth moving tonight in the Infiniti I like we talked about Blaney rolling around on the bottom give it nobody an opportunity but just go run in the back get around him yeah but on the other hand guess Kurt all the room in the world here at the whole bottom try to get by me and be able to do it that's fresh now you just can't even hit he can be played oh you know we're having fun I don't know if they're having fun they are we always have I'd like to think they are yeah a lot of this is frustrating Kurt trying to pass a six in the end he's going to get out and go you know what that's a lot of fun turtle the turtle the curve right there in left front tire [Music] yeah this is racing right here what these guys are doing Harvick's behind they're doing guys come on this let me go somebody might do some trade hole for me see Harvick that high entry trying to leave on the bottom just not enough turn in the middle with enough trial or next if they can't work I was crazy I was waiting on him to get on the gas they are waiting forever around this corner to get into the throttle right there real late on these long runs waiting on these cars to roll around how about this guys a new player the 43 of Darrell Wallace jr. up to the 12th position decent run for this 43 car continues to get better damage on the left side looks kind of like most every other car out there but he actually as Harvick caught the Newman Kurt Busch battle that's loud Darrell Wallace jr. trying to close in on the back of the four darryl fries pretty comfortable here with two truck wins it comes here to this racetrack thinking man I love this place I probably be a part of helping us run well [Music] let's take a look at today's slap leaders brought to you by Mountain to March Rex jr. 275 and Counting as far as laps led here led 262 laps his previous 27 starts at this racetrack d 1 stage 1 and stage 2 he's trying to sweep again marked Rex jr. out front looking for his third short track win of the season [Music] Wednesday night hockey on NBCSN has a Central Division matchup this week as Minnesota Wild face-off against the reigning Stanley Cup champion st. Louis Blues that's Wednesday night hockey 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC yes soon you're watching the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs telecast presented by coca-cola as the Sun setting behind the grandstands here at the paperclip Martin Truex Jr putting on one of his best performances at a short track 283 left laps now led as Logano is under fire from William firing for the second spot [Music] Byron having a great run today this supposed cease ever ran in the top five of the top ten in the Cup race before found in this 22 he's trying that high entry but when he turns down can't get the power down and a 22 there can't get underneath you and Joey's hands basically everything to the left never a motion is a little small motion to the right that tells me Joey's car is tighter than he really wants it to be see right here just hold the wheel all the way to the left all the time somebody hits to the straights and then pass in this lap car it's underneath the car see right there the double zero Landon Cassill how much difficulty he had get by that lap car that also tells me he's tight just impressed with william beebe stock on the market I'm buying it because this guy's got a bright future and he's showing it this year last year not a great season this year of canals made a lot of gains just kind of slow to get there nautically here he is at a tough tough short track he's a kid with a a year of trucks full time a year of Xfinity Fort I'm 21 years old he'll Cup race one of years only when Cup racing is crazy party fun battle their first second there were some changes for on pit road this weekend Graham Stoddard moved over to Joey Logano his party's on the 22 a moment ago he came off of the 12 car me while Ryan Blaney gets the entire to pit crews hitting on the top five pit crews on pit road and you could tell in his comments as we it's great for on track before but he told me I know those guys under their families I know their kids I'm close to those guys so for me the personal side of it is tough yeah I want to win races I want the best pit crew on pit road you see the battle for second there looks like William Byron is going to get it but when you make those pit crew swaps Jeff it puts the driver in a very interesting position doesn't it does you want the best picture you can get Marty but you went to battle when the year started with your guys right and you've got here together and it's a it's tough call you want the best pit crew with the guys that are in the playoffs and if the company thinks that's the thing to do then that's probably what you should do but it's it's tough not only for the driver but the new team as well puts everybody in a difficult situation but listen I'm not going to fall upper management at Penske they think pit crew off two is better than two twelve is good Givens well event chance to win a championship that knows the kind of moves you have to make there's a four second lead when William Byron was able to get by Joey Logano Mark Shrek's jr. has now 3.8 seconds separating rut a lot of those brake issues that we've seen at Martinsville of the past Steve are wondering are there some Newt tips and tricks and some of the teams are using with the new brakes today or is it the package is kind of changing how much the drivers I really think it has a lot to do with the rules the braking systems as a whole and that she been locked in my rules for a couple years as far as disks and calipers and what the teams can run I think what the cooling has improved dramatically the teams are getting smarter with cooling the drivers are becoming smarter and smarter with how much break the have left in each racetrack and then that big big spoiler why aerodynamics is not a big conversation of Martinsville it's still a parachute and even here at Martinsville and help slow that car down when I get off the gas Steve you called it is 43 above the Wallace he is past Kevin Harvick valley's foot fresh Earl Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman brighten up the run tonight night but wash trying to get into the top 10 set it to top the show sorry about this being a drivers race tracks of bubble walls really good you know feel good about this this has got to build the confidence on the drivers really had he struggled this year and has been open about his struggles but here he is doing his best work but Conrad Newman I think that's where it is a hard time tight pot tank right there oh man that was close good job by both those guys nothing make them look a little bit worse situation it is the sit this for you tree can get a beer can about new Kevin Harvick has a fullback the running back Kevin Harvick says a 40 trees might hold back you make the holes I'm gonna try to go through unable to fill that hole though the four cars just not good enough it's kind of as simple as that I don't mean to make it sound easy it's just not good enough for Kevin Harvick to advance never Harvick stuck back here and a lot of beating and banging taking place rear tires been cut down and of course that means sparks are flying but they'll be flying a little more as we continue to get closer to the checkered flag [Music] [Music] you get gear during the nascar playoffs check out the greatest selection of t-shirts diecast and more for all of your favorite drivers all you have to do is visit nascar.com slash shop today to ride along with Ryan Preece looking back behind him and get a shot of our trucks junior he is the race leader let's get some updates on the playoff drivers will start with Kelly five laps so far in this race opened up in more than three second lead over William Byron Martin had never won a short drag race until this year now he's won two of the last three trying to do it again today and if he does Bucci poulpard told me the advantage would be huge going to Miami he said it'd be bigger faster than ever before is so tight of course if they can win today their focus will immediately ship to that race at homestead-miami that's just a few weeks away Marty the Joey Logano sits in third right now but he was in second for much of this run and he still couch last year's win at Martinsville in the fall among the biggest of his career [Music] once again would he make the same movie told me in pre-race absolutely I would make the same - who's right now that car - time Ryan Blaney he said his absolutely gone on that 12 parking flip help for much of the day Jeremy Bowen son a man I make changes trying to make us better in the long run will undo that on the next stop Kelly hard to find the weak link Kyle Busch's came over this 18 that matter but crew chief Adam Stevens Tom if get a look at one track in this round of eight he would say Martinsville is potentially their weakest lead surprising since they've had eight straight top-five finishes here has been pretty happy what the query says just needs a little bit more forward drive and he needs the car to handle better over the longer run twelve Christine McKinley handled entirely frost Anila the caution here caution has come out now for the sixth time today and oh well this will react as Austan not able to stay down I was watching him down into turn three the inside of 17 car it's loose wheel hopping the rear tires in the braking zone into the side of the 17 car Stenhouse cut the right front tire down and three core okay Steve now when we look at strategy with a hundred and fifty four laps to go and it doesn't normally happen but if it would go green all the way to the end they could probably get their own fuel I think they could I'm not sure if any of the drivers want to try it but 78 laps on this run currently I would expect they will bring all the cars on the lead lap to pit road makes pit stops this 19 of Truex junior ever since he passed the 11 on pit road earlier in the race he has dominated the race but much like the 11 you know once he gave up the lead his car hasn't been the same and I think is the fear if you're Cole / and Martin Truex Jr that's your fear right you don't have a problem on pit road and lose positions for everyone else it's all about adjustments right the Sun is starting to set shade and 1/2 the shades get longer in 3 & 4 this race Sun sets about 6:20 today this race right now is gonna end after 6:30 so the lights will be on what does that mean for the track what does that mean for your car Kelly well for Martin Truex Jr he said that he felt like his tires just seemed a little bit more pumped up that time around as for balance he said he was a little bit tight Center and free getting off the turn so the call for him of course will be four Goodyear tires with an air pressure adjustment and the social fuel party killer you can fill in getting four years who Joey Logano literally pushing William Byron and his team apart all stay there he's down tight at the jewelers mark or Joey Logano and his race team or 2x jr. wins a race on pit road [Music] [Music] Rutledge Rick a hundred and fifty laps from now we are gonna find out who's taking this beautiful grandfather clock home with him a tradition started in 1964 the question I have for you guys are we going to see a repeat winner take this home or is this the day a first-time winner takes this bad boy to the house that's a good question I mean right now you see fired up their first ever career win couldn't come with the tough short track marks will blame why he wanted Talladega to wins the playoffs issue at Truax I'm he's led 350 lat hard to vote against we know what Logano will do if he gets to the back of the bumper of the 19 we saw at a year ago marked Rex jr. Ryan Blaney making up Row 1 148 laps to go right lay the outside remember he picked up two spots we just talked about miscue made that pit crew change and pay off for a vented stop fire it up to track a little bit fire and runs to 12 of the racetrack and now firing goes up to second see what's 12 done series gonna use a bumper a little bit back in that 24 and I'm real happy with that again raised in three or four now it's got to be careful though now it needs to calm down because now they've caught him from behind to move in the 24 may feel good but it actually could hurt you because the guys behind me when you move at him they can get into Matthew and get you in trouble gotta fight hard on the outside of that aging car complic fight for the inside get a little better on our exit getting [Music] into turn three yeah that was a high risk high risk food big rot off the phone the outside though that's it for cow oh man I thought that demons coming down for sure on the cross the right front of that letter car the teammates teammates once again did you fight in there pepper he puts the bumper to the back of the 18 off the racetrack he goes interested had a little contact back as they go down the front stretch moleskin in there he's gonna get him behind this 11 use nice long way to go in this race but only three weeks for Jamie chip I think you give guys know the race in each other for China who should bag you mentioned it this big aggressive move right here he dies on the inside skin the little shot to the 18 up the track goes Kyle Busch has got to be furious inside the race car that was the second time they made contact his own bed right here Kyle Busch at the right beer how Bush might be furious that he hasn't said anything over the radio I think he let it be known there on track but his spotter Tony Hirschman said what you guys just said calm down there are a lot of racing left to be done Marty Denny Hamlin's had nothing on the radio as well but Chris gave art did he told his driver laser focus focus forward move for Denny Hamlin's been very frustrated all day long for the first time in a long time he's back in the top five now battle for the lead shaping up Rick definitely with arch Rex jr. coming up on Austin Dillon now he's got the 24 of William Byron to worry about Byron running a little bit higher line almost what we had seen from Denny Hamlin earlier maybe he's taking a page from the Denny Hamlin playbook as he looks to the back bumper of the 19 of Truex Jr and just faster in and out a tenth of a second faster the track so guys faster as well there's contact off the turf for the 18 car spun around also there's contact with the 48 also the 47 ride precent ball the 48 of Jimmie Johnson got into the 10 who was turned around it all started with the 18 sideways right on the front stretch the caution once again is out they come off turf for the tape car the 18 were got they got together both spinning look at the damage of the tank let's take a look at it down to three or four I don't know if there's a little contact there but just get together really similar to last year's finish and it turns to 18 back across the racetrack the 10 spins to the inside the 48 makes contact with the 10 here Bank contact this looks like anybody hits Kyle's car very lucky like he was extremely lucky get back okay chase Elliott oh gosh I would say that out Bush was very lucky as you said [Music] this one would talk about me and then 90 cars been dominating this race all day long but here these rash yellows always come at the you this race you talked about a star the race right before the wreck is 47 10 cars back gets into it didn't do anything wrong it's just sparksville every damage on the left front of Matt DiBenedetto in the 95 through this okay it's a great camera work right there what a bad day Kevin Harvick's not run well currently run at seventh you want to see if your gene Haas or Tony Stewart three of your cars cross the start/finish line at Martinsville but not in that replay not one of the backwards no and still with 137 laps to go yeah you see right here heavy damage on the 10 we saw steam coming out from under the hood of that too so maybe some radiator damage there I think the theme of the race going forward yes is short runs cautions restarts short runs this is gonna sound silly the one driver that's happy to see this right here is chase le he's been stuck in last all day 54 laps down with 137 to go any of these cars that can't continue he should be able to catch not a lot of points but I think Logano and you just never know where those points are gonna end up and I agree Dale write short runs aggressive restarts what use not there's been a lot of give-and-take but what you used to give a hundred laps ago you're definitely taking now there's still no cars out of this race up to this point Zeus Elliot currently scored 38 54 laps down Timmy Hill is 33 laps down Smith 11 laps down Sorensen eight laps down Justine six five five so quite a few at five laps down Jimmie Johnson now off the track and I know that the 10 of aric almirola with pretty extensive damage [Music] so marked Rex jr. after leading 329 laps of this race is going to have to fight once again to stay up front now it's gonna be with William Byron who really has shown some extreme speed late in this race was able to get by Ryan Blaney wasn't afraid to put the bumper to a car either even though he's not a playoff drivers we're seeing a couple make their way on to pit road Suarez Kyle Larson our on pit row down Frank you know Dale's predictions right we start to get a bunch of these yellows it'll be which yellow you choose to pit on what point you want tires Kelly so a couple of these playoff drivers caught up and in that mess are going to have to come to pit road to look at damage put some fresh Goodyear rubber on and that includes Kyle Larson here in the 42 the 18 of Kyle Busch has also been called to pit road Adam Stevens tell them we got one shot of this we do not to go a lap down and you could care Kyle Busch's complaining about his race car he's been testing his and he was chattering through the corners you can see the damage there to the left front of that car but they don't want to spend a lot of time messing with this they do not want to go a lap down get ready cuts up the left front fender off to go work on the team we'll be back for the restart here at Martinsville [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] 130 laps to the end of this race and we'll see post race coverage coming from the bull one peacock pit box and then victory lap proving grounds later on NBCSN take a look at some replays here guys yeah we're gonna see you these these two cars 18 and the 10 involved in the last crash entering turn three the 10 down in the corner gets in the lifter quarter panel of Kyle's car twice boom boom up to race track Kyle goes make contact again they get kind of hung up right here that's where all the damage came to the 10 car that's one of the heavy contact all of that and shows turn 3 there was contact [Music] and right there look at that look at Matt Edie oh that was so fortunate for God Bush believe us it so while the cleanup continues on the front stretch let's take a look at the RAM trucks built to serve the tracks gonna change we've went from the afternoon the Sun Goes Down behind the grandstands to late evening shade track ten drops got to stay ahead of this race track it's gonna change a lot keep it just in your car yeah you're gonna have to stay ahead on the strategy 130 laps to go everybody can make it on fuel but at what point do you need new Goodyear tires we've already seen one yellow I expect a rash yellows from here marked Rex jr. is kind of driven away from the field but lately we've seen some pressure being applied so as he approaches land traffic with cars behind him they can put that fresh drone he's going to have to negotiate through them really well or they'll be used against could be interesting the 12 and 22 lining up right next to each other listen to Ryan Blaney 'he's radio team communications going on there its water trucks jr. William Byron making up Row one lady and Logano and road to Hamlin and Kozlowski and Row three Blainey able to stay right on the back bumper the 19 fighting for second now a virus ladies drove it deep down in the corner made it stick yeah remember these these two were going out at the last restart rows were reversed with the 24 on the inside now ladies trying to use up a little bit of racetrack take that position bang fire is playing hard on the outside stand there I'm pretty impressed with that I'm impressive lady can outbreak you that much on the inside get into the corner and still stay on the curb look who's entered the fray 11 of Denny Hamlin the pole sitter today let the first 30 last lost lead on pit road just never seemed to recover but here he is back racing the 24 car inside the top five oh man oh wait three wide just a foul felt a knee up the racetrack here now 22 doesn't take advantage of it wait am i right now yeah and he was had a hard time again that's official the front straightaway is through okay stay green 88 a woman is gonna come back to pit road you see a lot of damn bandits a lot of guys 44 when it was in the wallet dream for yeah there's gonna be another yellow perhaps 41 would up make contact with the wall he's still rolling slow flat right front tire on that car Daniel Suarez the 88 on pit road with a flat as well yeah a lot of these guys had some issues on the front straightaway I caught the back tail end of it it's too bad for Bo but he had recovered from an earlier loose wheel to get back on the lead lap let's take a look at this so the 88 on the inside of 43 loose off the corner a lot of contact and she climbed the left rear tire whoa look at that big contact right there that was bad that was a first wreck that didn't really create the yellow everybody kind of kept moving then the 41 went down I hit the wall again look at this like an open-wheel car that right front slide the left rear the 43 I'll push back there say guys please don't make my day worse Kyle Larson he's just trying to survive the day happen right this is onboard with Kyle Larson right here [Applause] [Music] and such watch him pitch that barely brilliant they go to work on Daniel Suarez his car well you guys talked about it one caution creates another one now we're starting to get a rash of short runs and how about the intensity you guys were you were just mentioned a trick the 11 of Denny Hamlin you know 150 laps ago I really believe when he got inside the 24 he too rolled the curb giving it four or five sets of corners to try to work around it I'm not saying he went in there and straighten the wheel but he drove in there deep enough knowing he may lose a little bit control of this car and seemed to be okay running the 24 of the race track right we need in the last hundred 50 laps in this race you don't know the next restart you got to get the next time you get to get that position Kelly all right so I see a lot of the leaders staying out Kyle Busch though coming back to pit road so the team can continue to work on the damage he's sustained in the wreck they said the hood is fluttering a bit but they think that fender is okay but they're gonna take some more time to look at the left front there of Kyle Busch's car so they'll go to work on the 18 once again Kyle Busch still fighting to stay up front [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] what a beautiful venue our aerial coverage presented by coca-cola coming up on 119 laps to go NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs from Martinsville telecast presented by coca-cola lights are off on the pace car meeting next time.bye they will get the green flag for the restart already eight cautions only three drivers have been up front it's been marked Rex junior Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson who have led laps today a mental image of all these cars near the front and they're somewhat pristine condition because trying to remember it I'm not too sure to change maybe not at this restart booth 190 laps to go they know you know you have to go you have to take the positions when they're available our trucks jr. on the inside Ryan Blaney on the outside let's see what Denny handle it does now with that inside position so impressed how far in the quarter playing could drive this car whether it's on the inside of the outside edge this stays in the lane he's gonna beat that let a car handle it off the turn Ford take that second spot from the outside this drives in the corner so deeply and then gains an advantage by doing it Pacific rundown Truex nobody's been able to get to the back of the 19 car all day long but conditions are quite different now somebody may be getting better as his tracking is changing got a clip to the back of this battle 42 car Kyle Larson at tenth place look at the move by Keselowski trying to go by his teammate Joey Logano [Music] has to be frustrating for Brad Keselowski he led 446 of the 500 laps here earlier this year and he has battled all race long just to stay in the top 10 the same sort of battle we've seen the 4 of Kevin Harvick this four car has not been good both feet afternoon but continue to adjust on it up to the seventh position sometimes when you have a championship season or at least a shot and a championship in Miami you look back and races that people don't remember but you do as a crew chief or a driver it's not the one-to-one sometimes it's the ones that you salvaged the four car can get up there finish somewhere inside the top five Intendant that might be considered salvaging a day coca-cola cam on the roof of that 22 car Logano easing into the corner 24 in the bottom there a little better trying to keep the pressure on Denny Hamlin in front of him so Hamlet just in front of William Byron lady about a car length and a half in front of Hamlet and then it's two car lengths all the way up to a part trucks junior ladies car just does not look like it gets around the corner like he wants it to it's at a hard time trying to figure out how to create speed that's kept this 24 car right on his bumper we already know we've seen it before the diddy Hamlet he's racing for a championship he is going to ask Justin how he drives his car from William prior to cut him up cutting some slack we empower to have a decision he has to make it short period of time I think how aggressive you off to get Jimmie Johnson and aric almirola we're taken to the infield care center treated and released Kelly caught up with Aaron unfortunately for aric almirola a really good top-five run winner ride there we saw some contact between you and the 18 going into the corner then what happened we got together he he chopped me getting out into three I tried to squeeze in front of him in the spring on one of the restarts and he bout wrecked me in turn three and it was returned to him and he didn't like it he rubbed me up over the curb and we got hooked together and ruined our day so Smithfield Ford Mustang was really good really proud of my guys we brought a really fast race car and ran up front all day and I felt like we're maybe one adjustment away from being able to run maybe second or third the 19 is really good but I feel like we were really close so frustrated we got three more weeks and I'm gonna make it hell for him three more weeks you heard it so that's a uh sorry camber Olaf remembering something from the spring they was upset about racecar drivers don't forget we've talked about playoff and not playoff guys and who has more to lose it's very clear that Kyle Busch has more to lose this accident today has hurt his point situation and now he has an enemy clearly with aric almirola and remember you win the here you advance to the championship for it's an automatic ticket two weeks to prepare then after that so right now part Rex jr. after winning stage 1 and stage 2 has about a one and a half second lead over Ryan Blaney but we've seen William Byron coming to life in that 24 yeah Williams drove up there called the 12 car Denny Hamlin now trying to hold off the 22 to great battles on the racetrack 24 moving high into the corner he tried that same line to feed defense to trying to create speed for himself because if he runs low entering his car is so slow the center will not turn Steve you hit on it I think chat canals with night wins at this racetrack has really passed on a lot of knowledge to the 21 year old William Byron he looks great you could talk a lot about rules but one thing that hasn't changes the racetrack and how the track changes as the tires put down rubber Marty and don't count them out the Millennial Truex is reading all these hats so they seem to be making the 24th canal's to make it better on the long runs and in fact before he came down pit road the last time he said you hit the sweet spot I needed a little more turn that's what we got to William Byron very good in the long runs and tried to attract our I am lady here for a second and it seems like he's showing patience that's the other thing that's impressive out of William Byron at 21 years old not very many starts at this racetrack he looks like a veteran as he's racing the veterans on the racetrack directs junior still up front Blaney Byron in the top three [Music] [Music] [Applause] great battles continuing for second and four for Blaney holding off William Byron Hamlin holding up Joey Logano we'll see what happens in both of these instances guys you guys were talking about out of the 24 at some point might have to try to use a little bit of the bumper on the 12 but he had to be closer that last lap he got right to the bumper of the 12 of corner entry didn't do anything about it now he's lost another half a car length think about it as well too easy enters low pretty straight into the corner to that cook to the curb rolls the curb stays on the curb all the way through there's there's no way around him there's no weakness and there were purport from Marty is that he's tight right so that means the back of the car is really secure so he go away the bumper to him it lets you do it old quarter injuries not belong anywhere because the car is already in the racetrack and he's not really holding up that 24 too much much slower environ so fabric can't get too aggressive witty well let's see William SC bet so guys I had a conversation we check it out some few weeks back about William Byron in this conversation I said you know what's it feel like is a venture crew chief me crew chief or the kid and he interrupted me and he said he's not a kid he's a 21 year old young man I don't like when people refer to him as a kid because he's not a kid I don't have to be raised as a kid I don't want him to drive like a kid I want him to drive like a professional racecar driver he said that he had a conversation with the team with the owner with the sponsors to not refer to live iron as a kid and obviously that meant Tory of check and house is paying off as the 24 runs third party Siva had that same conversation Chad announced and you're right he doesn't like it when you say kid he said stop he's a man and he's become a man and that's what he told me he's most proud of him William buy on this year the man and the racer and the leader that he's become when the 2014 you think was such a young guy he wouldn't be a leader of a chapter now said he certainly leads us in many ways of course chat leading the team as well on from Ryan Blaney is amazing how consistent Blaney is and Jeff yes you're right car extremely tight for Blaney here he is turning top five lap times running in second saying the car is plowing and not any better than it was when he was complaining a little while ago but clearly hard to pass him right now somebody a tough pass for sure one of the things that has happened here is the lines of darling turn to older the sun's gone down check this out we can now see the rotors glory on the front of these cars just tons of brake heat that's not a problem you know there were tons of time in this sport where rotors core like that would be a concern too much brake heat but with today's technology and parts and pieces it doesn't cause a brake problem now it could cause a right front tire problem and melt a bead but typically you don't see brake problems here anymore Steve what temperatures are we talking about we see these rotors glowing red like that wow they're 12 though there's a coaching by Jack and aus he sees the same thing we're showing you talking twelve to fourteen hundred degrees once they come in the garage and they're checked so they're well over sixteen eight hundred degrees on the racetrack but almost design that way the brake pads work and then temperature you just need to take care of stuff hop out take a moment first of all thank Corey Lajoie and Corvette parts for this awesome Mystery Machine paint scheme but then won the job by for the joy running on the lead lap and 70s you think of all the mayhem today you look at that car reasonably clean a massive barely a scratch from Barton so a little bit of front bumper work both doors look pretty good great-looking paint scheme and a great run for the joy guys and it's not just because other people have wrecked we didn't watch you over here he's been in the lead lap and this race a tremendous amount good called out Steve Stevens doing a really good job Corey Lajoie he's doing a really good job they look behind him you have hemorrhaged come RCR all right you Austin Dillon far series I'll run a both RCR cars Boyer I see had that flat tire outrunning him Bernard Jones some well-funded big teams back there little edge that could hear the 32 poor Lovejoy driving a smart clean race we have right behind him is the 36 normally driven by that tip but today it is back Crafton that's behind the wheel that tip yesterday I had an issue here at the track went to the infield care center that was transported to the hospital and then he was released and went home and so he is not behind the wheel of the 36 today but obviously we all hope that he gets back behind the wheel Mary Sue so who should that wreck a little bit ago and shouldn't start back up to 11th place see Kyle Larson behind him Kyle Larson burning 12th this day is not old cow Bush she sacked a little the front straightaway before is flying by him nobody made huge contact still has a line of positions to go gained right here yeah well then lift from bitter got torn off I actually thought man that's actually not a bad thing typically it keeps the temp out of those front tires or out of that particular child the front of the car helps the car rotate turn on the long run now it's so late in the race then I'll go and pay off from him as he gets passed by the 9 car chase Elliott but that it's not healthy it's not hurting that car as far as aerodynamics are concerned Mart trucks jr. 3.7 second lead over Ryan Blaney running in second as we go NASCAR non-stop [Music] now under 70 laps to go NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs is telecast presented by coca-cola now next Sunday NASCAR Monster Energy come Series continues from Texas Motor Speedway it's another chance to secure a spot in the championship maybe a must-win situation before drivers like chase Elliott's having struggles now and again the Xfinity series will be back next week and then all the way through the championship playoffs in Miami I love that finish right Xfinity and come together Texas meetings in Miami gives the fans and want to come on to the track great chance to see all butcheries lot of anxieties at the kids Finity race ponder drivers point fingers at each other not happy see if they calm down for Texas couple of rolling around the gravel pit road let's get a few updates from pit road and we'll start with kelly on martin trench jr his way to traffic coming into this race Rick the most labs Martin Truex Jr had ever led the race 392 that was at the coke 600 back in 2016 he has surpassed 97 left sled already today when I asked his crew chief Kohlberg what the key would be for today's race he gave me two words track position and he's had the best tax position most of the say Marty Kelley you can spill it getting cooler here in Martinsville and Ryan Blaney now getting happy with his race cards that the entry is better I do feel much better about this run so a bit tight no he said I don't worry a guy who wins just one race a year I want to be a part of the conversation every week say what the playoffs Ryan Blaney in the 12 team have certainly been part of the conversation William Byron back in third he said but the car was a little bit free but was coming to him the longer they ran and it's showing and he's getting up there where he can track down Ryan when he going to be in touch and see if he can get him Denny Hamlin all day long has been saying this race is all about traction finally he has a little bit in the top five we'll see if he can hang on to it hasn't really said much about the handling of the race call meanwhile Joey Logano said the rear grip in the 22 car is starting to go away and he admits I think will be good at Texas next week but tonight here at Martinsville that's our best shot to advance to Miami with a win Parker and party behind him his teammate Brad Keselowski who's knocked out of the playoffs in Kansas last week I asked his crew chief Paul wolf what happened and they still weren't sure they just could not nail the balance on that two car this week but he did admit it has taken the wind out of the sails of that race team a solid run here today can go a long way putting some confidence back in that race team behind him Kevin Harvick who spent most a day outside the top ten really struggled that car but it seems like as we've done the night time it's starting to come to them a little bit I've kept my eye on the points and that Kyle Busch red was about a 10 point swing whenever Harvick who finds himself as they run 17 points below the cut line behind Tim is Ryan Newman in that six car having a great run in the top 10 speaking to his crew chief Scott Gray's Assam you know short tracks been good to you what do you go is not offered today they weren't that confident but they said in the spring race here they had a great car practice they had a terrible race made a terrible practice they look to be having a great race maybe it's the inversion that Marty how about this run for Bubba Wallace back in the top ten guess had some contact on pit road yes they were part of one caution but all day long they have been terrific on longer runs and he has worked his way back up through the field in a hometown race for Richard Petty Motorsports Bubba Wallace running in the top ten right now Kelley now Kyle Busch has cracked back into the top ten he's trying to salvage his day after damage sustained and that wreck with the 10 of the Earth Almirola his race cars has been sort of okay who mostly Dale though at the time of that wreck he said that it was turning like John Tigers chattering his crew chief Adam Stevens told me their goal today just said collect as many points as they could well they got six-page points and now looking to score some more solid points here if he can finish inside and Kyle Busch is gonna be a part of motormouth on Wednesday and he is gonna have a lot to talk about aric almirola you know Todd Gilliland won the truck race yesterday Kyle Busch has been in the news a lot here recently so he'll have a lot to talk about on motormouth that's on Wednesday it's Carl Erica but even with this damage to the left front fender visit you just heard that update from Kelly you're running 10th running good lap times has fresh tire so fresher tires than the leaders I'm not ruling about 57 laps to go I haven't seen everything happened in the last 20 laps here saw a rule out the place car Mart trucks jr. has been extremely strong as we heard from Kelly most laps he's ever led in a race 408 now and Counting from our tracks jr. remember in the race earlier here at Martinsville it was Brad Keselowski who led 446 laps the bar truck trucks jr. continues on this pace he could lead over 460 laps at this racetrack [Music] kevin harvick currently running in the seventh spot trying to chase down brad keselowski just in front of him for position Fernan 64 lap run the longest from the name 97 laughs I bring that up because that's 33 plants from where we are currently well those 54 laps to go so for this race to go green to the finish it would take the longest green flag around the day a lot of smoke coming out of the left rear of Clint Boyer big tire up there Adam up yet contact with another car not notice that spoke down frustrate away the last laugh getting worse and worse like suspensions broke or something Steve yeah I mean it doesn't seem to be obvious to me it looks to me like the whole entire housing is kind of rearrange parking guys is what he said and there's a left rear going Rick and can you keep it off the wall he's gonna spend no is he gonna keep it straight the caution does come out oh man oh boy and another restart 50 laps to go it's a pit stops and pit stops so you just her very important what did Kelly say Cole Pearn said the trick today the key today was gonna be track position on pit road he has kept it all day long see his team's been great guys right but I mean anything can happen on pit road we're gonna come there right away as that left we retired down so with right now it's 51 laps they have an open pit road yet now 50 laps to go Steve what about a two-tire stop for that track position would him anybody gamble on that maybe a Kyle Larson or a Kyle Busch or they didn't hit later than the leaders on some of these yellows that we have seen it would be a gamble I think for Kyle Larson you look at 15 cars and lead lap he's running 13th can he really go anywhere right can he drive up from 13th that's the question you have to ask yourself or do you say we've had a good day let's not gamble and get run over but 50 to go Jeff it's just such a big advantage you saw it earlier you see Blaney pull it up pass it all those lap cars get into the rear bumper of the 19 of Truex but still a two car advantage get on pit road Kelly you can see Martin Truex Jr in that number 19 car will lead some of the fields down pit road they did not want to see that caution come out Martin Truex had opened up a sizable lead ahead of Ryan Blaney behind them but nonetheless they call him in and it's going to be a four Goodyear Tire stop for Truex Marty Ryan Blaney told Jeremy Bolin's the car clearly got better the longer we ran I was building loose just keep that in mind he said remember that air pressure adjustment we talked the shot earlier this week we're going to do that here for a short run also around the wedge Denny Hamlin said I just don't have nearly the grip that I thought I would for Tigers going home for all of these guys and Martin Truex Junior hold serve here on pit road Rick that crew has been amazing the top three hold their position Blaney Byron still the top three [Music] Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs from Martinsville Speedway and now the intensity is ramping up closing in on 45 laps of racing when we go back to green and who will move someone out of the way for a spot in the championship floor can Bart Trek's jr. stay up front well it seems like after a few laps the 19 car has been the class the field but on these restarts guys have been able to stay close to his bumper see what Blaney does he's on the outside early second William fire and down on the inside and third Joey Logano on the outside of Lane two great restart for more trucks junior ladies put his tires a little bit fight for second is on now the corner of the racetrack William Byron got into left for a quarter panel 512 watch about Frank William Harley then the corner on the outside so impressive and now the race off the 24 has got it here comes a 12 a little deeper into the turn as impressive move right there I've got a huge launch on the corn at exit the corner wall so 22 of Logano the 11 put the 22 of Logano into the wall as it came off before and there's some heavy smoke out of the 22 a left rear tire around the left rear looks like it's going back quickly a lot of damage to Joey Logano he's gonna go up into the wall hold the brake coming there still no caution and he was able to stay off the wall [Music] here we are on top of the roof the toys ooh Carl turn two cars here I hear them 11 way up the racetrack Wow climb the wall it didn't leave the 22 enough room out there that could be some damage there see don't you think yes that is heavy heavy contact you see the left rear going flat was the issue that caused a 22 to lose control but you have to ask yourself how much damage that did to the suspension on the 22 and come to the service of his crew what about the damage to the 11 yeah the right side yeah the right side definitely took it quite a bit of damage the right rear tire has most of the Goodyear missing I already told us only one one set of tires for most of these teams on pit road so I don't think the tires I bought it would be good to finish assuming they hold air all the way to the finish and that will be the issue right tire count has been continued to decrease on the cup side it changes the strategy around a little bit but you also have to start thinking about if you have a couple flats and burnt tires some of the tires you ran earlier in the race for a short amount of time you actually blew lug nuts back on consider putting it back on the car another situation as we had a handful of wave-around so as more cars blew left and they've been in quite a while currently 18 that makes this issue 122 sorry even a bigger penalty right now because last currently laughs is 18th yeah this changes things a little bit for some of the drivers and the point system with a 22 having all these issues put you a lot closer to the cut line and it brings the 12 and 4 into a better position you see right there a bunch of better position going forward party and at that point you can see it on the left-hand side of your screen Joey Logano goes all the way down to the cut line and plus six actually Todd Gordon thought all the tires were up Joey Logano said no I'm pretty sure one is flat because I had to spin out there so Joey Logano with four tires here trying to get this flat fixed in for the third week in a row they go into a repair mode here on pit road Walker is doing an ugly ting 39 to go [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] 37 to go at martinsville Martin Truex Jr continues to lead i sat down with treks back in the summer on a podcast and acts Truex is there ever a race that he wishes he could redo this was his response what's the one that got away the one you would do over again if you could I would say if Martinsville last year you know that was all me yeah you know I should have just knocked 22 out of the way with five to go and drove away I mean I was so much faster than at that point yeah I gave him I left the window open of opportunity from him on that last corner because I I was wasn't far enough ahead of me you know with three four to go I should just gave him a little nudge yep drove on that would want championship yeah you know go get two in a row yep that was the biggest mistake another baby Rick it was a casual conversation when he answered that it was right away and he was staring right at me that one has been in his memory banks he's dominated today can he close it out with 36 to go always learned from past experiences we'll see what he has learned coming up on 35 laps to go a dominant 19 of our trucks junior on the inside William Byron on the outside great great start for all drugs how long some with a bunch of smoke on the right front you'll get William Byron on the outside don't you fire and holds on to second try and blame me up to third and now a fight for fourth here comes Keselowski to the inside of the 11 bridle this 19 car down the back straightaway [Music] al Hungary is the 21 year old to get his first win will he move a playoff driver out of the way for it it's just so much better to that corner behind only 12 oh wait you trying to block the two the two didn't get into it real the two into the back of the 12 as lousy is devein and Blaney's still in the playoffs Keselowski is not but that doesn't mean Keselowski won't move him out of the way cuz he's gonna get out of his way sir Keselowski got into the side I mean Moody's out of the way and then moved over to get him the spot back how do you guys feel about that that tells me Keselowski didn't 100% me for this to happen he did he did get it he got in there deeper than he thought it was going to didn't expect the 12 to come down one of those two things because the very next straightaway he gave me that spine back to a competitor before where I got into he didn't mean to and feel like I'm an engine and back to my bike about the race for the lead it continues to heat up William Byron has not been able to close the gap within a car length but he's been right there with more tracks junior Martin Truex Jr this is fresher time right now he's got somebody old his rear bumper really hadn't been in this position all day know that 24 is good on corner entry which if you're mark tricks to here the 19 makes it harder to defend that would be the area where the 24 would have to look inside issues the turn four crosses out turn four problem and the caution comes out 11 cautious today that was the 34 of Michael McDowell it's right on average Rick right on 11 look at all the damage to the right side of that car so little glimpse enjoy the gotto and all that he's worked himself up to 18th no Daniel Henrik around [Music] many cars mark some body damage some kind of damage on video air contact [Music] this was just a little bit earlier the arson is to house salting right front smoke coming from Morris's tire that must been what it was from Tarsus running at 14th coming up on 27 laps to go and it's like Bubba Wallace is coming to pit road so will Kyle Larson give it up a top 10 position get fresh tires can that help him with what will be 27 laps to go Kelly well Kyle Larson in that 42 team they saw some smoke coming out of the right front they weren't sure how it got there but they called them to pit road because they wanted to fix that right front fender you can see a little bit of damage there on the right front Kyle saying whenever I touched the gas off turn four I spin the tires as well Marty Bubba Wallace coming down pit road for fresh Goodyear tires here Steve 27 laps to go and there's currently 19 cars on the lead lap fresh rubber what do you think about fresh Goodyear tires getting up through the field I'm not sure they only have it maybe in the teens on them but you know started mid pack you're expecting a bunch of chaos it's gonna have to get fortunate on a few restarts I'm not saying it won't work but it's gonna be much tougher are you saying there's gonna be more than one restart to finish this race yes there could be confidently I tell you when I when we look at the front of the field William Bayern got one of the best restarts we've seen that's the first time I've seen anyone be able to stay to the outside of the 19 but the guy in third is the one I'm really looking at Ryan Blaney is quarter entry has been breathtaking he can get that Burt you've said in every lap right he drives so far into the corner you can't make a pass into the corner but you can start a pass into the corner if you can get position if I work out think about this Steve even though Ryan's had a really good race here at Martinsville he's still below the cut line so he had a lot of points to make up so right in front of him there's a ticket to go to Miami with a shot to win a championship and has good drivers in a situation where they do things they would not normally do did he Hamlin currently running 5th right in front of him Brad Keselowski here was the radio communication just moments ago not happy about the - well they're lined up two by two again 40 you guys mentioned William Byron on that last restart Chad Knaus congratulated him said you managed him so well now go do it again psychologists right isn't that what I said a crew chief has to be today listen you can't make adjustments to the car now all I can do right now is help the confidence of the driver Truex Jr on the inside fire and on the outside Blaney and Keselowski two Penske drivers running in that second row coming up on 24 laps to go green flag back in the air we have bonded at 24 that 20 morning right there that's a successful restart from the outside obviously you want to take the lead but it's a little unrealistic think you can do it Odin second behind a that's good for fourth more contact and he handle it got into the side of the 2 of Keselowski this isn't over and Indiana and I think Dan he's had enough got into the back bumper shoves the two of the racetrack it he's racing for points Kozlowski's no longer in the playoffs and he's gonna have much less patience but the race truck he goes here comes Kurt Busch he moves to the inside of Hamlin emotions get ahead I be right here right guys better understand remember what are you here to do I know you want to win and that winning car all day contact back here between Kyle Busch and emmaandemma got a lot lift for court battle damage from that contact he doesn't have a fit on either side right here the doctors Street you had a tea with heavy contact in the left rear quarter panel they got tyrella and six car now a little bit of contact with the wall 18 Carlin rigs back up front will your buyer it has not left the 19 no only a car like that here comes Keselowski this time clean inside the 12 of Blaney and Blaney has to let go the fact that brad has that opening behind him Blaney has to get back there and take it can't afford to raise side-by-side and allow the 11 car to get in there and take that position and buddy's gonna get a little bit of pressure from some people at Penske for racing his teammate but look how much faster he is I'm he's gonna drive away right now from plating we'll see if Keselowski can catch up to William fire it again now just 19 laps to go 19 laps for a seat at the table in Miami to try to win a championship for Martin Truex Jr 19 laps for William fire the 21 year old to try to capture his first ever Cup win those it is amazing jr. what it feels like to win your first Cup race it's right there in front of William Byers is this is a huge day potentially huge they put your bar he's got a shot at it morning Rick there are two non playoff drivers one Jeff the question is if you're William Byron what are you willing to do for that first ever win do you move the 19 a playoff driver there might be an unpopular move but that would be your first career win is it worth it listen I would reckon listen you could move the 19 if you can get to it right he's not too late but you can move him and Martin still finish second there's a big gap between them that gives William Barbour mission in my eyes it's a it's a short track brothers race here back to back dominant performances at Martinsville it was Keselowski earlier now marked Rex jr. 449 and Counting from art Trek's jr. the most laps led in a race since 1992 when Kyle Petty put up 484 laps of Rockingham when I watched this battle the 24 doesn't seem to be as good as the 19 in one and two maybe better in three and four I think the key to William by Ernest stay close enough at this end of the racetrack when he can try to make a pass at this end of the racetrack and three and four something about his car works better here last couple of laps [Applause] last couple laps tricks been able to sleep in that lead just a little bit for chat canals giving him some more advice there's Logano trying to get by the 18 of Kyle Busch Chevy's came right through the field here up into 10th place battling for night coming back and he'll take that spot it's still a car length and a half William Byron chasing after Bart trucks Junior r2x to know when he gets in one of these races brain just dominates is so fast kind of Jimmie Johnson like right just doesn't have to do anything you'll rough people up booth people just drive away from them so William buyer do - all I remember some battles I think Steve remembers battles where they did get a little rough yeah out of Florida 4824 xlviii traded bumpers around here for about 40 laps 20 for the short and that day on the right side of your screen this battle for third Denny Hamlin I think he had some frustration for Brad Keselowski we'll see how patient he did to try to pass him or if he feels just going to move him out of the way Mart Rex jr. on the left side of your screen now under 10 laps to go for another short track win right behind it bill William Byron Marty and Rick you gotta love the way Chad canal some veteran is managing his young driver he said I want you to cool I want you to think about how your race car is you have a limited to get this done think about how you can get that passed on Steve you know as our drivers crew chief part of your job is making sure that drivers in the right frame of mind to get it done just he worked with Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson to check and I was so successful everywhere but especially here at Martinsville take what he learned from Jimmie Johnson to work with Jimmie try to apply it to William Barton the best you can but in the end it's the driver William Byron has to go up there and find them some speed find a couple good corners it'll be interesting though with eight to go a couple slow cars the night team might catch traffic I see William bard looking around trying different things started entering using that high entry and that wasn't working the night team started getting away from the batwave bar just closed that entry up a little bit he's looking for [Music] something he's gonna make his car go better Garrett Smith who pulled over in the 52 to let these two by and let them decide it for this race win under six laps to go 25 wins for Martin Truex Jr but until this year he had never won on a short track he swept Richmond won both of those races so he has now won on a short track and after finishing second at this racetrack before and showing that he could win on a short track but never getting it done he has put on one of the most dominant performances ever at Martinsville 459 laughs and counting as far as laps led coming up on four laps to go and about a three car lengths lead now over William Byron remember to this about Martin Truex Jr since the start of 2017 Tom Busch 17 wins our direction Dean Martin Truex Jr has been the guy for the last four years has a championship and looking for another a win here puts him into the championship four for another fight three laps to go now coming up on the 41 of Daniel Suarez will these guys play nice and get out of the way or will it allow the 24 a fire to close the gap or as doing it smart thinking that away to to go here comes byron moving up the racetrack trying to allow these two to fight it out coming up with a final lap one more time around the gap down to a car length William Byron does he have anything down the backstretch for the final time Martin Truex Jr has dominated at Martinsville he will have a championship four spot more tracks genius advances to the Monster Energy Cup Series championship four in Miami [Music] [Applause] [Music] what looked like a huge hill to climb to beat Denny Hamlin today in Martinsville it ended up being bart tricks junior who was the dominant one this victory fueled by Sunoco fuel your best [Music] seven wins in 2019 and three of those who've come at short tracks and out of the smoke but Burgess a championship favorite here we go left here frustrated disappointed after being moved by Joey Logano in the closing laps for closing corner he comes back a year later leads 464 lat and he's climbing out of the car right in the middle of turn three and four he'll salute the crowd [Music] the lights on [Music] here at the paperclip and the crowd here got to see a dominating performance [Music] and typical Martinsville racing quite a few cars that don't have sheetmetal autumn anymore and a big smile on the face of marked Rex junior buddy what a performance from Martin Truex Jr the fans literally 15 feet away welcome to Miami [Music] Miami's awesome but we wanted to win here for a long time and the guys that worked so hard I've worked so hard I used to just be terrible here and just an awesome bunch of guys what can I say auto-owners Bass Pro Toyota TRD everybody back at the shop brand new race car again and it still wants to keep going but we're slowly losing the race car yeah it'll be all right it wants to just keep going but I can't say enough about all these everybody on our team and all these fans out here man this is awesome and I went here to get a grandfather clocks pretty special when I talked to you this afternoon honestly you didn't seem that confident did you expect a performance like that leading 464 laughs I don't think anyone expected that this racetrack in general you just don't see that so hats off to my guys pit crew was stellar today and you know we didn't make many adjustments week we just stood on early and came to life and that was a lot of fun so I don't know maybe now I got this place figured out who knows but just really proud of everybody and you know after last year and you know we talked earlier everyone everybody wants to keep talking about last year I'm like we got work to do so I'm just proud of everybody for you know forgive me a race car like that and being able to put it all together today when it counted you mentioned the disappointment of last year does this make up for that I'll let you know in a few weeks I mean the cool part is we're going to homestead again so that was what we tried to accomplish this you know this weekend we don't worry about points anymore we can just get to work on a homestead car and it's like two fighting again but I'm just honestly I'm so excited and proud to drive this thing and our team is unbelievable SEC Denny Hamlin he was on the ground someone has come over there and you see crew members now starting to get back up but Hamlin visibly upset Chris gave up his true chief trying to get handlers attention enjoy the Gatto obviously Logano being pushed out of the way Denny Hamlin has people holding him back [Applause] look back on what happened on pit road these two just discussing it it looks like and then it escalated little bit of an extra shove their lies Logano as he walked away and Hamlin wasn't going to have it from this whole track action we saw earlier off of turn four Denny in the 22 getting together Denny squeezing that 22 into the fence my god okay back and finish date felt like if you talk to Minnie about that after Barker you guys are just catching up here Denny Hamlin what happened there between you and Joe they got it well we were having a discussion everything was civil and then like Joey does he does a little you know pushing that runs away so that's Joey it's scary I thought he said you want to go I said yes I'm here but then he runs away so what was the altercation on track to let do it I I got closed off a turn for it looks like we got together and it looks like collateral damage he blew a tire but I mean he would probably say short track races you try and fight about this no I don't need fun tempers are high very high down here guys and once again we know that when you come to Martinsville it's close quarters tempers are high but then you also you take the the tempers it escalated because of the playoffs we know that a trip to the championship for is on the line there's only three races when these guys can gain as many points as possible and with Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin both fighting for every position on the racetrack things like this could happen yeah the racetrack the action on the racetrack has always been heated but now it seems to carry over the frustration of the year the pressure of the playoffs what's on the line you heard the fans all the fans at Martinsville come here they expect this chaos type atmosphere and it delivers time and time again I think Denny explained it looked like a conversation and when the conversation over a hand either on the chest or the shoulder of Denny Hamlin next thing we know we have two more drivers wrestling around on the pit road for the second week in a row Xfinity last week Cup this weekend it was interesting Martin Truex Jr he actually saw oh he goes others there's fighting on pit road and sure enough we see Logano and Denny Hamlin battling it out what ended up being real estate but both wanted and only one contained in the end there was part Shrek Judy he's gonna be celebrating along with crew chief called fern and the entire nineteen team as they have won at Martinsville they are going on to Miami they will be a part of the championship for to fight for another title [Music] [Music] coming up next a lot to talk about post race coverage will hear from drivers we'll all be on the Mobil 1 peacock pit box victory lap that's when you as the fans get a call in you can voice your opinions on what the race was like maybe what the fight was like you get to be a part of it this proving her

Channel: NASCAR

Views: 166,600

Keywords: NASCAR, motorsports, racing, stock car, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, chase elliott, fantasy sports, fantasy fastlane, glass case of emotion, ryan blaney, crash, wreck, pileup, pit road, penalty, race track, super speedway, highlight, Truex wins, martin truex jr., denny hamlin, pit rOAD, joey logano, fight

Id: BNVTflHopls

Length: 228min 34sec (13714 seconds)

Published: Tue Oct 29 2019