Kevin Harvick put the rest of the field to sleep during Sunday’s Drydene 311 at Dover, but fans got a big wakeup call a little further back in the field with some playoff drama.
With Sunday being the second-to-last race of the regular season, bubble drivers were running out of time to put themselves in a good spot going into Saturday’s final race of the regular season at Daytona.
With the track being such a wildcard, a strong finish at Dover was at the upmost importance for William Byron, Matt DiBenedetto, and seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson.
Johnson heard that loud and clear.
With 22 laps to go, a caution came out for Corey LaJoie and drivers and teams were left with a decision of strategy for the final stretch of the race.
The 48 crew came out of the pits first, electing to take two tires as opposed to four like the other leaders.
At first, it looked like Johnson would get steamrolled, but the veteran battling for the final spot in the NASCAR Playoffs stayed in it.
He would only fall back to third after being passed by Martin Truex Jr. before holding off Byron for the finishing position.
It kept his gap to the 24 at just four points and will make things interesting at Daytona.
DiBenedetto finished in 17th, further hurting his cushion in the standings and putting his spot in the playoffs in jeopardy.
Now, with one of the most unpredictable races of the year ahead of the field, there are three spots left to be clinched.
ONE RACE TO GO!
@DISupdates, we're coming for you Saturday night on @NBC! #NASCAR #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ayYWiQhpQ0
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 23, 2020
The final race of the NASCAR Cup Series season will take place at Daytona on Saturday in a shootout under the lights on NBC. It will start at 6:30 p.m. CT
NASCAR Dover 2 Results
1. Kevin Harvick
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. William Byron
5. Alex Bowman
6. Joey Logano
7. Aric Almirola
8. Brad Keselowski
9. Austin Dillon
10. Cole Custer
11. Kyle Busch
12. Ryan Blaney
13. Kurt Busch
14. Chris Buescher
15. Matt Kenseth
16. Clint Bowyer
17. Matt DiBenedetto
