Logano dominates in Atlanta
Driver leads majority of laps, then has to rally on final circuit
HAMPTON, Ga. — Joey Logano dominated early and then passed Brad Keselowski on the final lap to win NASCAR’S race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and end the early season domination of Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports on Sunday.
Logano won the pole and led a strong showing of three straight Team Penske drivers in qualifying, but Keselowski looked like the Ford driver to beat late in the race. Keselowski had help from Corey Lajoie, but Logano got a push from Christopher Bell that proved decisive on the final lap.
Bell finished third in a Toyota and Lajoie finished a careerbest fourth in a Chevrolet.
“The first win of the season always feels better,” said the reigning Cup champion, who led 141 of the 260 laps.
Logano’s win ended a streak of four consecutive victories by Chevrolet to open the NASCAR Cup season, including back-toback wins by William Byron of Hendrick.
Pushed by his Team Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric, Logano passed Keselowski to regain the lead with 34 laps to go.
Keselowski regained the lead to set up the last-lap drama.
Formula One: Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and Max Verstappen drove from 15th to second to give Red Bull a 1-2 finish Sunday in what is shaping up to be a runaway season for the reigning Formula One champions. Through the first two races of the season it has been two Red Bull wins, two 1-2 finishes, and an air of desperation from everyone else on the grid.
Sebring: Pipo Derani won the 12 Hours of Sebring for a fourth time late Saturday night when Action Express Racing inherited the victory after a crash between the leaders with less than 20 minutes remaining.