The NASCAR Cup Series headed to Talladega, Alabama for the first time in the 2024 season for the Geico 500. While there was plenty of rain overnight, and a potential threat of rain in the forecast, the skies cleared just as the green flag was ready to fly. There were some wet spots on the apron of the track – which actually became a factor twice during the race – but ultimately, it was a great day for a race.
Michael McDowell collected his second pole on the year – which happened to be the second of his career in 471 starts – with 2022 Daytona 500 champion Austin Cindric on his outside. The other big story from qualifying was that of Kyle Larson, who was not allowed to qualify due to an inspection issue, and was further assessed a pass through penalty, handing him a one lap handicap.
In addition to the usual cast of characters, four part-times joined the fray; Shane van Gisbergen in the #16 for Kaulig Racing, B.J. McLeod in his own #78 Live Fast Racing Ford, Anthony Alfredo in the #62 for superspeedway ringers Beard Motorsports, and Cody Ware in the Rick Ware Racing #51 Mustang.
Fuel saving was the story of the day throughout the first two stages, as there were no cautions for incidents, as the field – despite running three-wide for large portions of the stages – minded their manners. In fact, for large portions of the race the field was running laps that were 4-5 seconds slower than normal, running speeds between 170-175mph.
Really, the only drama through the first two stages involved either fuel milage or pit stops. On lap 40, fan-favorite B.J. McLeod, who had been running up front with competitive pace, ran out of fuel from the lead and rode the outside wall to avoid wrecking the entire field. Beyond that, Denny Hamlin spun on pit entry during the first cycle of green flag stops, and Corey Lajoie spun on pit exit during the second cycle. None of these three incidents yielded cautions however.
Penske Racing swept the stages, as Austin Cindric took the win in the first stage, while Joey Logano took stage two.
As the final stage began, the action began to step up. Joey Logano retained the lead after the stage break and led the field along with Ross Chastain.
The first caution for an incident occurred with 55 laps to go. The top line checked up and accordioned back through the field. Chase Elliott got into the back of Justin Haley, who then turned down into Christopher Bell, turning him hard into the outside wall. While only Bell suffered race-ending damage, Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, and Zane Smith were also involved.
Green flag stops started with 36 laps to go, as a group of eight Toyotas were the first to peel off for fuel. Seven of those Toyotas were able to form up nicely, and seemed well positioned to force the hand of the rest of the field, and likely would have made out like bandits.
With 33 to go though, disaster struck for the group of Toyotas. Erik Jones got squirrely getting into turn three, which caused Bubba Wallace and John Hunter Nemechek to get into him and sent Jones head on into the outside wall. Jones & Wallace received race-ending damage, as did Denny Hamlin, who was also collected in the fray. Nemechek meanwhile lost three laps.
It was an absolutely vicious hit for Jones, who radioed to his team that he had hurt his back and needed help.
Pit stops ensued, ensuring that everyone could go 100% to the end of the race. Pole-sitter Michael McDowell managed to surge back to the lead, with multiple other Fords behind him on the inside. Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr, and Ty Gibbs – the lone survivors of Toyota’s kerfuffle 20 laps prior – took up the top three spots in the outside, trying to challenge McDowell, while a very hungry Brad Keselowski and Noah Gragson occupied the top two spots on the inside line. A third lane up top led by Shane van Gisbergen began to form with five to go and started making serious gains.
With three to go, Kyle Busch and Ty Gibbs jumped in front of the top line, but Gibbs got loose and killed the lines momentum, removing them from contention.
McDowell and Reddick came to the white flag side by side, both with help from like manufacturers. The Fords on the bottom line surged ahead into turn three, and Michael McDowell took sole possession to the lead. Coming out of turn four Brad Keselowski looked to the outside, and McDowell blocked. Brad went back to the bottom, as did McDowell to block again – but the #34 took the left turn a bit too hard. The back end of McDowell’s Ford stepped out, and Keselowski hooked him in the right rear, turning him in front of the field.
A massive wreck ensued, involving most of the field. No caution was thrown, and the #45 of Tyler Reddick was able to just barely skirt to the outside of Keselowski to steal the win – the sixth of his career, and his first of 2024. Keselowski came home second yet again, as his long winless streak continues. Noah Gragson collected the best finish of his career in 3rd. Ricky Stenhouse Jr & Alex Bowman managed to avoid the nonsense and rounded out the top-5.
There were a few good stories in the top-10: Anthony Alfredo picked up a p6 finish for Beard Motorsports, while Todd Gilliland, Daniel Hemric, and Harrison Burton all picked up their first top-10’s of the 2024 season. Notably, Corey LaJoie finished 18th – on his side, riding the wall.
Michael McDowell did not manage to cross the start finish line, and was saddled with a 27th place finish.
This was the first race win for 23XI Racing for which team co-owner Michael Jordan was in attendance for.
Photo credit: James Gilbert/Getty Images
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