Cook Out Southern 500
With 26 races in the books and 16 drivers locked into the Playoffs, it was finally time to focus on crowning the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Teams headed to the historic Darlington Raceway with everything on the line for the first race of the Playoffs.
Denny Hamlin dominated the first two stages, but then it was the Tyler Reddick and Kyle Larson show, with Larson coming out on top and locking himself into the Round of 12.
When it came time to pick the Rich MARvelous Move of the Race, for the first time this season, the Pit Pass Network team had countless moments to throw in the ring for consideration.
Some felt Reddick’s brake check on Ryan Newman, forcing the No. 4 of Kevin Harvick into a pit road penalty was the highlight. Others felt the Turn 3 lights finally working was significant. One team member felt the MARvelous Move was “Chastain’s crew fixing that hunk of junk” which allowed him to finish P5.
Other options included RFK Racing once again being on fire (quite literally at one point) and Michael McDowell driving his demolished car to pit road without assistance.
Rich MARvelous Move of the Race
It was a lengthy discussion. Ultimately, the team was not in complete agreement when the Darlington dust settled, so we went with the ol’ ‘Majority Rules’ method.
When Reddick ‘had trouble’ or ‘brake checked’ or ‘was told late to pit’ (depending on which side of the catch fence you sit), it forced Newman into the bumper of the No. 45.
Reddick brakes hard, involved newman pic.twitter.com/ReWshxwDP1
— 3V1L99 (@AshIracing24) September 4, 2023
From there, as evidenced in the above video starting around the 44-second mark, Newman went for a spin.
A wild sequence of events! @KevinHarvick starts to pit road. @TylerReddick slows. @RyanJNewman spins.
The No. 4 ends up on a closed pit road! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/2CNboU3haz
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 4, 2023
What impressed the PPN team the most was Newman’s save.
This could have ended much worse for much of the field – especially those Playoff drivers who were already tangling with The Lady in Black and coming out on the losing end.
Despite the spin, Newman remained in the race and finished the night P27.
Pit Pass Network would like to extend a huge thank you to Rich Mar Florist for their partnership in the Rich MARvelous Move of the race! Be sure to check out their website for all your floral needs. Follow them on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and stay up-to-date with all the Team Rich Mar NASCAR happenings.
