NASCAR Monday Mash-Up: Massive upsets in Daytona, Milwaukee
Another summer night for the NASCAR Cup Series in Daytona. What a weekend it was with Truck Series action in Milwaukee as well. It was a wild weekend that featured a trio of unusual winners, including two first-timers.
When NASCAR goes to Daytona this time of the year, it gets intense. Points battles, drivers attempting to win and get a ticket to the playoffs. There were a lot of agendas on the track and only a few of them played out ideally.
Truck Series Playoffs began this weekend, the Cup Series has one more race until the postseason, and the Xfinity Series is four races away from the end of its regular season.
William Sawalich bests Connor Zilisch in Milwaukee
While ARCA raced on Sunday, let’s get into that business first. It was another dominating victory for William Sawalich and his Joe Gibbs No. 18 team.
Connor Zilisch, for once, had no answer for Sawalich on the track. Sometimes, that happens. A good whooping is good every once in a while for these young drivers.
Trackhouse Racing makes decision on future of Cup team
The entire weekend built up to this big announcement from Trackhouse Racing. First Kaulig Racing confirmed that the No. 97 car would not come back to the Xfinity Series.
Then, Zane Smith was released from Trackhouse, effective at the end of the 2024 season. Finally, Trackhouse announced Shane van Gisbergen is racing full-time in the Cup Series next year.
NASCAR Xfinity Series gets wild early at Daytona
Back to the NASCAR action at Daytona: the Xfinity Series was a wild ride. The race started with a huge wreck that took out many cars in the back of the field.
Austin Hill was unlucky enough to be involved after dropping to the rear for an adjustment. This wouldn’t be the only wreck of the evening.
Ryan Truex triumphs at Daytona for second 2024 NASCAR win
Ultimately, Ryan Truex was the winner on Friday night. For the second time in eight races this season, Truex wins in the Xfinity Series.
So, a NASCAR win at Daytona is a big deal. Does that mean we are going to see Ryan in more races next year? I sure hope so, he’s earned it.
NASCAR Truck Series Playoffs begin in Milwaukee
Meanwhile, back in the Upper Midwest for Sunday afternoon, the NASCAR Truck Series tackled the Milwaukee Mile. It was a good old-fashioned short track race.
The NASCAR Playoffs are here, at least for the Truck Series. No one earned an auto-bid into the next round thanks to an upset winner.
Layne Riggs pulls off first career win, dislocates shoulder
Front Row Motorsports might have another winner on their hands. Layne Riggs finally broke through in the Truck Series and won his first-ever race in a NASCAR national series.
In the celebration afterward, Riggs pumped his fists in the air… and dislocated his shoulder. A routine thing since injuring his collarbone years ago. His crew was there to pop it back in for him.
Daniel Suárez’s car burst into flames early
Okay, we’re finally back at Daytona now with the NASCAR Cup Series. Saturday night was WILD. Daniel Suárez made his pit stop after Stage 1 just like everybody else.
However, as he left the pit box, his car caught on fire thanks to Denny Hamlin igniting spilled fuel as he left the box behind the 99. A huge fire engulfed the rear of the car and the day was over early for Suárez.
‘Big One’ takes out NASCAR contenders at Daytona
Later in the race, about halfway through Stage 2, we had the first “Big One.” I say first because there were a few wrecks that could qualify.
This wreck took out Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott. For Hamlin it’s another hit right before the NASCAR Playoffs. Hamlin was penalized 75 points earlier in the week for violating engine policy.
1.5 flips at Daytona after Michigan blowover
Speaking of wrecks, the NASCAR engineers were hoping this wouldn’t happen at Daytona. Right after Michael McDowell almost flipped over the top of the field, disaster struck.
The restart right after, Josh Berry ended up flipping onto his roof. So much for those new right side fins. Berry was fine afterward, but NASCAR has to figure out how to stop these blowovers.
Harrison Burton upsets NASCAR Playoff field at Daytona
In the end, with so many cars damaged, it was Kyle Busch and Harrison Burton on the front row. One more overtime to decide the winner at Daytona.
Thanks to the biggest push ever from Parker Retzlaff, Burton shot out ahead of Busch down the backstretch. Just a couple of blocks was all he needed to secure the win and make history, earning Wood Brothers win #100.