VALDOSTA -Due to a rain-delayed race, Jimmie Johnson won the Advanced Autoparts Clash after passing Paul Menard that resulted in “The Big One.”
To start the day off, NASCAR had Daytona 500 qualifying to see who would start on the front row. The outcome was a big shock after not having much speed in the Chevy Camaro’s last year as William Byron won his first pole of his career and to start next to him will be Hendrick teammate, Alex Bowman.
All Hendrick drivers finished in the top 4 in qualifying in both rounds. Seems they have figured out that Chevy package.
The day wasn’t over as the Clash immediately followed. Paul Menard started off on the pole and led the majority of the race with his new Ford Mustang.
Just as the race was getting heated, we had our first of three red flags for rain.
There was about a 10-minute delay for the first red flag as they went back to racing.
A lot of strategy was in play during the first 25-lap stage.
With the final 50 laps, it got a little quiet as they rode single-file til the second red flag for rain.
Little did they know what was about to happen before the final red flag that called the race.
Right before the final red flag to call the race, all the cars were racing on the backstretch as Jimmie Johnson side-drafted Menard and caused him to wreck and 15 others. Only four cars made it out of the wreck.
Johnson got lucky as the bottom came out and they declared him the victor.
This was an exciting race as they had the new Mustang back on the track with the Camaro’s and the Toyota Camry’s.
Expect a lot of side-by-side and 3-wide racing during The 61st Great American Race.