NASCARThe annual Homestead trip was a thriller.
Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway was exciting and one of the best races in NASCAR Cup Series playoff history, dating back in its current form to the 2014 season.
Tyler Reddick made a pass in the final round against Ryan Blaney has win the race and secure a place in Championship 4 for the first time in his career. There was a strategic decision late in the race that went wrong, but was corrected by a late turnover and all sorts of playoff drama.
With one race remaining in the round of 16, two places in Championship 4 remain up for grabs with six drivers eligible for these places. Three drivers will likely need to earn a win at Martinsville next week to advance to Championship 4.
Here are the winners and losers of the Homestead NASCAR playoff race.
PHOTO OF THE ELIMINAR: NASCAR Playoff Photo: Cup Series Points Standings After Homestead
HOW IT HAPPENED: Recap: Tyler Reddick makes final lap pass to win NASCAR Cup Series at Homestead and advances to playoffs
Winners
Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell led three laps but survived a chaotic race in fourth place. Bell kept his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on the positive side of the cut line heading to Martinsville. Bell is used to winning at Martinsville and qualifying for a spot in Championship 4. This one might not be spoiled by a Ross Chastain wall-ride, though.
William Byron
William Byron finished sixth and sits above the cut line heading into the final race of the Round of 16 at Martinsville. Byron won the spring short track race and is aiming to return to Championship 4 for the second year in a row.
Tyler Reddick
Reddick returned to Las Vegas last week. Then it seemed like there were no more in Homestead. He ran long in the latter part of the race and stopped with 15 laps to go. He was able to come back in the first round. When Kyle Larson spun to bring out the final caution, the leaders opted for fresh tires. Reddick stayed out of the way and took the lead. Then, Reddick made a bold move in the final turn to pass Ryan Blaney for the win.
Losers
Ryan Blaney
So close for Blaney, who finished second. Needing a win, Blaney led 47 laps in the race and took the lead exiting Turn 2 on the final lap. However, Reddick drove his car hard into Turn 3 and passed Blaney on the outside to steal the win and the playoff spot on the final lap of the race.
Dennis Hamlin
Hamlin finished third, but led the race with three laps to go. He led 21 laps and won the second stage and fought forward for most of the race. Hamlin is 18 points below the cut line heading to Martinsville, one of his best and favorite tracks. He could advance to Championship 4 on points, but a victory allows him to secure a place for the championship.
Kyle Larson
Larson had a wild ride at Homestead. Larson cut a tire in the first stagewhich forced his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet into the wall and dropped him to 34th. Larson fought his way back to second before an incident where he had to avoid Austin Dillon, hit Ryan Blaney and spun exiting Turn 4. Larson finished 13th and sits below the cut line with one race remaining in the round of 16. final.
Follow sports writer Austin Chastain on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ChastainAJ or contact him by email at [email protected].
This article was originally published on Nashville Tennessean: Homestead NASCAR race winners and losers as Tyler Reddick wins
