NASCAR Monday Mash-Up: Rain plagues Michigan once again
The NASCAR weekend at Michigan International Speedway was extended by a day, giving us Monday morning racing. ARCA doubleheader, Xfinity, and Cup Series races this weekend – it was an exciting one.
The biggest story of the race weekend had to be the rain. It hindered practices, qualifying sessions, races, and… well that’s everything that it can impact.
NASCAR did their best to get the full race in on Sunday. However, the rain showers were too consistent. As the track was dried, another line of clouds came through to mess things up.
Scott Bloomquist died in a plane crash near his home
Early on Friday morning, it was reported that Scott Bloomquist, legendary dirt Late Model driver, had died in a plane crash near his home. Bloomquist was a giant in the dirt world.
Many drivers and fans sent out dedications online. It was a shocking moment for American motorsports ahead of the NASCAR weekend at Michigan.
Connor Zilisch wins two-mile track debut
Back to the track, the weekend started with ARCA Menards Series action. Connor Zilisch, fresh off his 18th birthday was racing on his first two-mile oval.
Well, wouldn’t you know it, Zilisch did what Zilisch does and won the race. He beat Tanner Gray as well as Andres Perez to get the victory at Michigan. Four races in the national series, four wins.
Isabella Robusto, Taylor Reimer make ARCA history
Meanwhile on Sunday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Isabella Robusto and Taylor Reimer made history. They became the first two women to finish in the top-5 of the same ARCA Menards Series race.
Robusto was P2 to William Sawalich who dominated the race, leading every lap. Reimer finished P3 to join Robusto on the podium.
Kyle Sieg flips on last lap of NASCAR Xfinity Series race
The NASCAR Xfinity Series race had a red flag for rain, but only briefly. It was an interesting race with the superspeedway package on these cars.
On the last lap of the race, Kyle Sieg flipped over on the backstretch. Keep this in mind, we’ll talk about another flip soon.
Sheldon Creed makes NASCAR history, finishes P2 again
When Sieg flipped, the race ended. Justin Allgaier won on the white flag lap with Sheldon Creed P2.
The pole-sitter finished P2 for the 11th time without a win in the series. He now owns the record of runner-up finishes without a win in the history of the Xfinity Series.
Creed, Mayer to Haas Factory Team in 2025
Good news for Creed, even without the win he has a NASCAR ride for 2025. He will team up with Sam Mayer at Haas Factory Team.
Mayer and Creed will be an interesting pairing. Mayer was named as a Cup Series candidate at Front Row, but he’s going to spend another year in the second-tier series.
Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson put on a show Stage 1
On Sunday we did get Cup Series race, at least for one stage. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson gave NASCAR fans one heck of a show to begin the race.
Then Bubba Wallace came in and took the lead. That would lead to a Hamlin spin and the first caution of the race, just before the rain came in.
NASCAR postponed the race to Monday
Before going green in Stage 2 on Sunday, NASCAR pulled the field to pit road and put the red flag out as more rain came into the area. It was the final red flag of the weekend, but lasted more than 17 hours.
The race was postponed to Monday. This morning, those that were able to watch it, were treated to an exciting and fun race at Michigan.
Larson wrecks the field at end of Stage 2
Even though Kyle Larson was one of the best cars on the track, he got himself in trouble. Towards the end of Stage 2 on a restart, Larson got loose and lost control of his car.
The spin would wreck a good portion of the field. Larson would be a DNF, and it cost him the regular season points lead. Not a great result.
Corey LaJoie flips over for second time this NASCAR season
Soon after Stage 3 began, Corey LaJoie went for the ride of his life. For the second time this season, the No. 7 car was upside down.
LaJoie was racing hard with Noah Gragson. Then, one wrong move and he was sideways. It was a split second before LaJoie was airborne and sliding on his roof before flipping back over right side up in the grass.
Tyler Reddick wins in overtime, despite late caution
Despite a late caution and an overtime restart, Tyler Reddick was able to wrap up this race just fine. William Byron did give him a run for his money late, though.
That final restart was almost the undoing to what was a great comeback for Reddick. He fell back to P20 early in Stage 2, but worked on his car and came away with the win in the end. He dedicated that win to Scott Bloomquist.
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