While William Byron triumphs for the first time on a circuit, two more playoff tickets are locked up and only one remains open in the regular-season finale
First circuit win for William Byron in the NASCAR Cup Series. Byron drove the 24 Hendrick Chevrolet to a commanding victory on the former Formula 1 track at Watkins Glen in the US state of New York. This is Byron’s fifth race win in the current 2023 season. And for Hendrick Motorsports, it’s their fifth consecutive Watkins Glen victory.
90 laps were to be driven. Just like a week earlier on the Indianapolis circuit, there was only one yellow period. The distance was completed with two pit stops. Behind winner William Byron, Denny Hamlin (Gibbs-Toyota), who started from pole, finished second. Hamlin’s three Gibbs teammates Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs and Martin Truex Jr. all finished in the top six as well.
Thanks to Saturday’s qualifying best time, it was already his third circuit pole this season for Denny Hamlin after Sonoma and Chicago. Next to him on the front row was the eventual winner William Byron. At the beginning, however, someone else set the pace.
While Hamlin was first into the first turn and also first out of it, Byron was immediately overtaken by Michael McDowell (Front Row Ford). But that was not all: three laps later, also in turn 1, McDowell also overtook front-runner Hamlin and grabbed the lead. McDowell thus seamlessly continued his strong circuit performance of seven days ago.
McDowell did not show any weakness until the end of the first race segment after 20 laps. There was no yellow phase before the stage flag and – as has been customary on circuits since the beginning of the season – there was no yellow phase with the stage flag either. Michael McDowell won Stage 1 under green ahead of William Byron and Denny Hamlin.
Michael McDowell penalised twice after Stage 1 win
After being absolutely confident in the first race segment, however, McDowell made a mistake right at the start of Stage 2. On the approach to the first pit stop, which he made under green immediately after winning Stage 1, he went through four pit lanes instead of the maximum three allowed. That earned a drive-through penalty that temporarily knocked McDowell out of the top 10.
PENALTY for Michael McDowell!
He drove through too many pit boxes. NASCAR pic.twitter.com/sCm3hF5JGO
– NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 20, 2023
The leadership was inherited by William Byron. With him in the lead, the second race segment began. This also comprised 20 laps. And this one also ran completely under green. So the Stage 2 win went to Byron, followed by Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, who drove the strongest race of his rookie season so far in NASCAR’s top league.
William Byron confident after Stage 2 win
At the start of the final segment of the race – still without a yellow – Ty Gibbs was passed on the track by Kyle Larson (Hendrick-Chevrolet), pushing him from third to fourth. A few laps later, Larson also grabbed Denny Hamlin to take over second position.
Meanwhile, William Byron continued to set the pace with a five-second lead. By this time – 30 laps after his penalty – the initial leader Michael McDowell had already moved back up into the top 10.
But at the second pit stop, McDowell again collected a drive-through penalty. In this case, the fault lay with his pit crew. One of the tyre changers had jumped over the wall too early. Kyle Larson, who was in second place, also received a drive-through penalty during his second pit stop. In his case, the reason was exceeding the speed limit on pit lane.
Single yellow: Chase Elliott out of fuel
The only yellow phase took place after 55 of 90 laps. Reason: Chase Elliott (Hendrick-Chevrolet) delayed the second pit stop for a long time and finally came to a halt without fuel in the area of the bus stop chicane. Initial indications were that it was not a completely dry tank, but a problem with the fuel supply to the engine.
CHASE ELLIOTT RUNS OUT OF FUEL!
It’s looking like he MUST WIN at Daytona to make the playoffs. NASCAR pic.twitter.com/73VuaqK2pN
– NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 20, 2023
For the leading group, led by William Byron, the yellow phase in the timing for the second and at the same time last routine stop came just in time. Byron, Hamlin and Co. stopped under green just before pit lane closed for yellow.
On the only restart, the order was William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, A.J. Allmendinger (Kaulig Chevrolet) and Ty Gibbs, who had to fend off attacks from Martin Truex Jr. in the fourth Gibbs Toyota.
William Byron wins – Four Gibbs-Toyota in top 6
At the front, Byron pulled away again by several car lengths. Aric Almirola (Stewart/Haas-Ford) spun out of the final corner with 17 laps to go, but the race went green until the finish.
Not one, two, three or four … but FIVE wins on the season for the No. 24! pic.twitter.com/QXe91ey2Fo
– NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 20, 2023
William Byron drove to his fifth win of the 2023 season and the first circuit victory of his Cup career by 2.6 seconds over Denny Hamlin. Christopher Bell finished third ahead of A.J. Allmendinger, who finished fourth right between the four Gibbs-Toyota. In the battle for fifth, Ty Gibbs held his own against Martin Truex Jr.
Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick secure playoff ticket
Chris Buescher (RFK-Ford), Tyler Reddick (23XI-Toyota) and Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano (both Penske-Ford) rounded out the top 10. Brad Keselowski (RFK-Ford) in P15 and Kevin Harvick (Stewart/Haas-Ford) in P21 both secured their playoff qualification via points.
For Keselowski, it will be his first playoff appearance since becoming a part owner on the Roush team starting in early September. For Harvick, it will be a final battle for the title in his final season.
Back to the race: Michael McDowell was running eighth again with 20 laps to go despite his two penalties. But then an engine problem occurred on the yellow 34 Front Row Ford. The Indianapolis circuit winner sought pit lane and eventually had to retire there.
Mike Rockenfeller finished 19th in his second outing in the 77 Spire Chevrolet.
Who will get the last play-off spot?
In the playoff standings, which are still virtual at this point, Bubba Wallace (23XI-Toyota) would currently be 16th to qualify for title contention. However, he is not yet assured of the final play-off spot.
If there is a new season winner next weekend who is not Bubba Wallace, then this new season winner will enter the play-offs at the last moment and Wallace, despite currently being 32 points up, will still be out of the running.
The final race of the regular season, in which exactly this last open play-off spot is at stake, will take place next Saturday evening (26 August) at Daytona International Speedway as a floodlit race.
