In one of the strongest races of his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career, Clint Bowyer finally scored a victory Monday (March 26) at Martinsville Speedway.
Leading 215 of 500 laps, Bowyer leaped to his ninth career Cup win, first at Martinsville and first overall since 2012.
He can finally exhale.
“I wanted that damn clock,” Bowyer said. “Something just felt right about today. To make sure it happened at this track, I tell you, it meant a lot to me to put it all together. It’s one I felt I’ve lost way more than I’ve ever gained.
Kyle Busch consistently ran 1.5 seconds behind Bowyer in the final 109-lap green-flag run. The speed of Bowyer’s Ford shined bright as he led more laps Monday than in his last four full-time seasons combined.
Denny Hamlin, who finished 12th, led 111 laps on the day, joining Bowyer and Ryan Blaney (who lead 145) as the three dominators of the afternoon. The No. 11 driver felt Bowyer was simply a step up on the field.
“SHR hasn’t been lightning fast here, but they’re making gains,” Hamlin said. “I think he’s well-liked with the teams and drivers. Probably a great win for him, obviously a very long time. Good job by his team.”
Blaney looked to be the top Ford mid-day, taking the lead first on lap 137 before leading the most consecutive laps of anyone from laps 146 to 284. The No. 12, however, faded from the top spot and lost it for good, finishing third.
Pole-sitter and last week’s winner Martin Truex Jr. finished fourth while Kevin Harvick finished the top five.
Behind sixth-place Joey Logano was Alex Bowman, the first-year Hendrick Motorsports regular who scored his first top 10 finish of 2018 in seventh.
AJ Allmendinger also had a happy day finishing eighth for JTG-Daugherty Racing. Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski completed the top 10.
Growing up in Easton, Pa., Zach Catanzareti has grown his auto racing interest from fandom to professional. Joining Frontstretch in 2015, Zach enjoys nothing more than being at the track, having covered his first half-season of 18 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. With experience behind the wheel, behind the camera and in the media center, he thrives on being an all-around reporter.