The 26th annual Rinnai 250 was slowed five different times over the course of the 251.02-mile event at the 1.054-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway. Three of those cautions were for on-track incidents while two marked the end of the stages. Only four drivers found themselves involved in race incidents throughout the day.
The first caution would fly on lap three for a two-car incident in turn two. It involved Ty Dillon and Blake Koch. Dillon would be able to repair the damage within the five-minute allotted time on pit road. Koch wouldn’t be as fortunate as he wouldn’t be able to continue in his No. 11 Chevrolet. The LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet finished 40th out of 40 cars. No free pass under this caution.
The conclusion of stage one would bring out the next caution on lap 40. Brad Keselowski would win this stage. The remaining top 10 drivers were Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Daniel Hemric, Cole Custer, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Ty Dillon and Elliott Sadler. Garret Smithley in the No. 0 Chevrolet would be the free pass.
The conclusion of stage two would be the result of the third caution. Kevin Harvick in the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet would be the winner of this one. Rest of the top 10 were Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Elliott Sadler, Cole Custer, Daniel Hemric and Austin Dillon. Ty Dillon, involved in the first caution of the day, would be the beneficiary.
The next yellow flag would come out at lap 119 for Denny Hamlin in turn one. Hamlin, in the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, would be able to continue in the race. Ty Dillon, awarded the beneficiary after stage two, would once again get the free pass. The field would go back green on lap 123.
The No. 78 of Clint King would be the reason of the final caution in the Rinnai 250. King would undergo a rear gear issue and not be able to finish the event. He’ll leave Atlanta with the 35th spot. Brendan Gaughan would be awarded the free pass as the field would go back green on lap 147.
The Rinnai 250 would later be won by Kyle Busch after leading 26 of the 163 total laps. The race lasted one hour, 57 minutes and 16 seconds. The average speed would be 128.435 mph. and a margin of victory of 0.605 seconds. There were six lead changes among four drivers.
About Me: Brett has been following the sport of NASCAR since the beginning of the 2006 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Since Brett was 13, he has had a passion of chasing a job in sports that not many get the opportunity of doing. He has been in the NASCAR media since the middle of the 2010 season. Since then, he has been a part of many racing podcast shows to improve his talents. He has written for racingonfuel.com and theracingwheel.com. Currently, Brett writes for motorsportsnat.com and TracksideChatter.com. You can find him on twitter @NASCAR_Brett.
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