NASCAR Cup Series: Keselowski wins the wreck-filled Alabama 500

Brad Keselowski has won the Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, scoring his third win of the season and 24th NASCAR Cup Series victory in a career. It’s the fifth win for Keselowski at Talladega. It secures him a place in the Round of 8 of the Playoffs.

A driver of the #2 Team Penske Ford survived a crazy race in which only 14 cars were running at the finish. The race was affected by three red flag periods and eleven cautions.

On the final restart, at Lap 186 of 188, Keselowski was chasing Ryan Newman and he passed him in the last turn, stealing him a victory. Trevor Bayne finished third, ahead of Joey Logano and Aric Almirola.

Denny Hamlin was in the sixth place, as the only playoff driver except Keselowski whose car wasn’t heavily damaged in one of the wrecks. Pole winneer Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished in the seventh place.

Alabama 500 at Talladega, The Big One on lap 172

Talladega’s Big One on lap 172

Among other wrecks, the biggest was ‘The Big One’ on lap 172 which collects sixteen cars. Five Playoffs driver were among victims. That crash caused the first red flag. The second came after a Lap 178 accident that ended Harvick’s day and that of playoff contender Ryan Blaney. The final caution on Lap 183 was followed by the third red flag, wiped out Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson from the race.

The next race at Kansas Speedway would be an elimination race in the Round of 12. Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski secured their spots in the Round 8, six more positions are opened.