EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
NASCAR Cup Series drivers faced the first road course of the season at COTA. William Byron won the pole, however, Christopher Bell snagged the Stage 1 win. Stage 2 saw a mixed bag of pit strategy with Denny Hamlin claiming the stage win.
The 38-lap final stage included a multi-lap battle for the lead between Byron and Ross Chastain with 26 to go. Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs lurked behind the two, awaiting the opportunity to pounce.
With 20 to go, the top five had yet to pit and the field was on fresh tires with tanks full of fuel.
Beyond that battle and a few single-car spins here and there, it was a pretty quiet race. With 14 to go, Byron reclaimed the lead and set sail with a nearly four-second lead. In the final lap, Bell attempted to run him down. However it was too little, too late, and Byron brought home win number two of the 2024 season.
Rich MARvelous Move of the Race
While the action on track did not leave fans with much to discuss, the SAT word of the day from the FOXÂ booth certainly did.
Not once, but twice, Kevin Harvick threw out the word “Kerfuffle” when referring to incidents on track.
For those wondering, ker·​fuf·​fle: a disturbance or commotion typically caused by a dispute or conflict.
The first mention came with five to go in Stage 2 when Kamui Kobayashi and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. both spun in Turn 8 while battling for 18th.
"Well, we've got quite the kerfuffle right there." – @KevinHarvick pic.twitter.com/ZrCUKtCwgr
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) March 24, 2024
Kobayashi was also behind the second “kerfuffle,” this time with 16 to go. The driver of the No. 50 went for a spin in Turn 11 after contact from Josh Berry.
Another kerfuffle. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/PpM74XPDYi
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 24, 2024
Harvick set X afire with the word mid-race – and because of that, he earned the Rich MARvelous Move of the Race from COTA.
Will we get a new Word of the Race at Richmond? That remains to be seen. But be sure to work kerfuffle into your week to turn some heads.
On-Track Shout Out
Byron certainly deserves a nod for his dominant showing this weekend. Not only did he secure the pole and win the race, the Hendrick Motorsports driver led 43 out of 68 laps in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.
