MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Polesitter Ryan Preece dominated Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsvilel Speedway early, leading the first 136 laps before a costly speeding penalty on pit road sent him to the back of the field. He never challenged again.
After winning his first career Cup Series pole on Saturday, Preece added another first to resume when earned his first stage win. The 32-year-old Preece had led just 29 laps in his entire Cup racing career prior to Sunday.
“It was really tough,” Preece said. “I shouldn't have been in that position. But on the bright side we know what we are capable of. We've just got to keep digging.”
TOUGH LUCK
Kevin Harvick, the winner of the second stage, was running near the front for most of the day until his right front tire went down due to a broken rim with 53 laps to go. Harvick had been seeking his 61st career Cup Series victory and first since last August.
NO HAIL MELON
The last time Ross Chastain was at Martinsville, he pulled off the “Hail Melon” move by slingshotting his way around the outside wall in turns three and four to vault past Denny Hamlin and secure a spot in NASCAR's “final four” round of the playoffs.
There was no video-game move this time around as NASCAR outlawed the move and Chastain wasn't much of a factor on Sunday, finishing 13th.
SUSPENSION COMING
Two of Anthony Alfredo's crew members can expect two-race suspensions this week after the No. 78 Chevrolet lost a tire on the front stretch during the race with about 98 laps remaining.
UP NEXT
NASCAR heads to Talladega next weekend for the first of two races at the 2.66-mile course. Chastain won the spring race there last season and Elliott captured the fall race.
