Event Recap: 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Statistics from Chicagoland (July 1, 2018)

Event statistics following the 17th race of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, the Overton’s 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois.

In a dual between a pair of men with the first name Kyle, the one with the last name Busch defeated the driver with the last name Larson, with the pair making contact several times on the final lap in what was a thrilling finish. For Kyle Busch, it marked his series-high fifth victory of the season, tying him with Kevin Harvick, who finished third. Larson finished second. Two-time defending race winner – and last Sunday’s winner at Sonoma Raceway – Martin Truex Jr. was fourth, and Clint Bowyer was fifth.

Race Statistics

Overton’s 400

Chicagoland Speedway – Joliet, Illinois

- Winner (starting position): Kyle Busch (16th)

- Top Five: Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer

- Full Results: Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer, Erik Jones, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Daniel Suarez, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Michael McDowell, Chris Buescher, Darrell Wallace Jr., A.J. Allmendinger, Aric Almirola, Trevor Bayne, Kasey Kahne, Ty Dillon, Matt DiBenedetto, Ross Chastain, Gray Gaulding, Reed Sorenson, Kyle Weatherman, Corey LaJoie, B.J. McLeod, Landon Cassill, Austin Dillon, David Ragan, Timmy Hill
- Average Speed: 140.636 mph

- Laps Completed: 267

- Race Leaders: 10

- Laps Led: Aric Almirola (70), Kyle Busch (59), Kevin Harvick (39), Clint Bowyer (21), Kurt Busch (20), Ryan Blaney (19), Brad Keselowski (16), Austin Dillon (13), Kyle Larson (7), Ryan Newman (3)

- Pole Position: Paul Menard (180.012 mph; 29.998 seconds)

- Hard Charger: Martin Truex Jr. (+32; 36th to 4th)
- Margin of Victory: 1.875 seconds

- Car Count: 39

- Cars Entered: 39

- Cars Running at Finish: 37 (of 39; or 95 percent of the field)

- Drivers to Finish on Lead Lap: 15

- Cautions: 5 for 23 laps

- Lead Changes: 23

- Stage Winners: Aric Almirola (1), Kevin Harvick (2)

- Manufacturer Breakdown: Chevrolet (19); Ford (13); Toyota (7)

- Weather at Start of Race: 93 degrees Fahrenheit, scattered clouds, winds S 9 mph

- Weather at End of Race: 78 degrees Fahrenheit, scattered clouds, winds S 9 mph

Notes of Interest – Race/Weekend Recap

- This marked the 18th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.

- This is Kyle Busch’s fifth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2018 season – tied for the most of any driver – and the 48th of his career. This marked Busch’s second series victory at Chicagoland Speedway (also won in 2008).

- Busch now has 190 victories in NASCAR’s three national series.

- Busch is two victories away from becoming the 13th driver with 50 Cup Series wins. He is now tied for 14th all-time with Herb Thomas with 48 wins, and one win behind Tony Stewart for 13th all-time in Cup Series victories (Stewart has 49).

- Busch and Harvick each have five victories this season, marking the first time since 2010 that two drivers have at least five wins in a single season (Denny Hamlin had eight wins and Jimmie Johnson had six). Martin Truex Jr. has three, while Clint Bowyer has two. Austin Dillon and Joey Logano each have one victory.