MENCS: Martin Truex Jr. wins Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway

Martin Truex Jr. won Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway. For Truex, this marks his second win in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs.

Truex, who spun after Ricky Stenhouse Jr. made contact while leading and would restart third.

Driver No. 19 would pass Joe Gibbs Racing teammate with 26 laps to go and would maintain the race lead for the remainder of the race.

The New Jersey native now has 22 Cup career wins to his name and 6 thus far this year.

“I feel like Danny Sullivan or something right now,” Truex told NBCSN post-race. “I’m speechless. Unbelievable job, all my guys. Had a heck of a race with Kyle and Denny all night long really. We just kept plugging away at it, plugging away at it. That’s what we always do, just keep digging and we never quit. “Next thing you know I’m catching for the lead. I’m like, Cool, here we go.”

Truex led a Joe Gibbs Racing sweep of the first three spots. Kyle Busch finished second and Denny Hamlin finished third. Erik Jones, who originally finished fourth, was disqualified after his No. 20 failed post-race inspection, giving him a last-place finish.

Rounding out the top five were pole-sitter Brad Keselowski in fourth and Ryan Newman in fifth.

Rounding out the top ten were Kyle Larson in sixth, Kevin Harvick in seventh, Clint Bowyer in eighth, Daniel Suarez in ninth and Jimmie Johnson in tenth.

The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series will head into Charlotte Motor Speedway in the running of the Bank of America Roval 400 on Sept. 29 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC.

Stage 1 Winner: Martin Truex Jr.

Stage 2 Winner: Kyle Busch

Race Winner: Martin Truex Jr.

 

Playoff Standings:

1. Martin Truex Jr. (W)

2. Kevin Harvick +69 points above cutoff

3. Kyle Busch + 66

4. Brad Keselowski + 55

5. Denny Hamlin + 54

6. Joey Logano + 50

7. Chase Elliott + 37

8. Kyle Larson + 25

9. Ryan Newman + 14

10. Ryan Blaney + 8

11. Aric Almirola + 3

12. William Byron + 2

13. Alex Bowman – 2 points below cutoff

14. Clint Bowyer – 4

15. Kurt Busch – 14

16. Erik Jones – 45

Matthew Jackson
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