Logano wins Michigan race in OT

Defending Cup champ claims 2nd series victory of season

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Joey Logano won his second NASCAR Cup Series race of the season, holding off Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr. in overtime Monday.

Logano was trying to hold on to a dwindling lead over Truex and Busch with five laps remaining, but around that time, Erik Jones went onto the grass, bringing out the caution flag that forced overtime. Logano and Truex were up front on the restart, along with Kurt and Kyle Busch, and Logano pulled ahead and held on.

It was the fifth victory of the season for Team Penske and the third in a row for Ford at Michigan International Speedway. This was the 100th race at Michigan for NASCAR’s top series.

The race was held Monday after being rained out Sunday.

Logano won the first stage. Denny Hamlin and Aric Almirola both briefly led the stage, but Logano mostly was out front. Kurt Busch and Erik Jones also were among the leaders.

Toward the end of the second stage, Logano had to pit. That enabled Austin Dillon to win that one.

It was a dominant visit to MIS for Logano, who won the pole in qualifying and then led a track-record 163 laps in the race. The previous mark of 162 was set in 1989 by Rusty Wallace — although Logano’s race was extended by the overtime.

Logano, the defending Cup Series champion, won for the 23rd time in his career and took over the points lead from Kyle Busch.

Kurt Busch finished second Monday, followed by Truex, Daniel Suarez and Kyle Busch.

Clint Bowyer, who won one of the two MIS races last year, went into the wall early in the final stage and ended up 35th.