Chase Elliott dominated Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was Elliott’s first career win at his home track. Elliott led a race high 96-laps and won both stages for his third victory this season.
“This one’s up there for sure, to win at your home track is a real big deal I think to any race car driver,’’ said Elliott, 26, of nearby Dawsonville, Ga. “I watched a lot of guys do it over the years, Jimmie [Johnson] out in California. We haven’t really had a very good run here, so I felt like today was a good opportunity for us.”
Elliott battled Cory Lajoie on the last lap before but Lajoie struck the wall and brought out a caution flag to seal the deal.
“I made my move and it didn’t work out, and the siren is ringing in Dawsonville (Ga.) unfortunately,’’ LaJoie said referencing the famed Dawsonville (Ga.) Pool Room where the owners ring a bell to celebrate each of Elliott’s victories.
Ross Chastain finished second followed by Austin Cindric, Erik Jones, and Ryan Blaney. After 19-races Elliott sits atop the Cup Series standings with Chastain, Joey Logano, Blaney and William Byron rounding out the top 5.
F1 was at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday but Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc defied Red Bull’s home field advantage to win his second race of the season. Leclerc got the lead when max Verstappen pitted on lap 12 and was largley in control of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen finished second, 1.532 seconds behind Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the podium. After 10-races Verstappen leads the driver standings with 208-points with Leclerc in second place, 38-points behind the reigning series champ.
News and Notes:
Jeff Gordon teams with Phoenix Raceway to combat pediatric cancer. The four-time NASCAR champion headlines the Championship Ignition Luncheon benefiting Phoenix Children’s on Tuesday, Aug. 30. All proceeds from the event at the Arizona Biltmore will fund the Phoenix Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, where children battling cancer receive cutting edge care with a compassionate touch.
“Few drivers have made an impact on NASCAR like Jeff Gordon, and he continues to be a driving force today,” said Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese. “Even better, Jeff is a relentless champion for pediatric cancer research, and we’re happy to partner with him on a great event that will drive positive results for the impactful work being done at Phoenix Children’s.”
Sports are over paid for there athlete’s there not worth millions that’s why I won’t displayed someone else name on clothes when we have military service members being paid less than $30,000 a year