Event: Monster Energy Open and Monster Energy All-Star Race (non-points event)
Series: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway (1.5-mile oval)
Open Format: 50 laps, broken into three stages (20 laps/20 laps/10 laps)
All-Star Format: 70 laps, broken into four stages (20 laps/20 laps /20 laps /10 laps)
All-Star Start/Finish: 17th/13th, (Running, completed 60 of 70 laps)
Open Winners: Stage 1: Clint Bowyer of Stewart-Haas Racing (Ford)
Stage 2: Ryan Blaney of Wood Brothers Racing (Ford)
Stage 3: Daniel Suarez of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
All-Star Winners: Stage 1: Kyle Larsen of Chip Ganassi Racing (Chevrolet)
Stage 2: Kyle Larsen of Chip Ganassi Racing (Chevrolet)
Stage 3: Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Stage 4: Kyle Busch of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Monster Energy Open
Stage 1 Recap (Ended at Lap 20):
- Started first, finished first.
- Bowyer led all 20 laps in Stage 1 to earn his way into the All-Star Race.
- Marked third time in four years Bowyer advanced into the All-Star Race through the Open. The victory allowed him to sit out Stages 2 and 3.
Monster Energy All-Star Race
Stage 1 Recap (Ended at Lap 20):
- Started 17th, finished 12th
- Bowyer said the car was too loose, lacked rear grip.
- Crew made major chassis changes at the end of the stage.
Stage 2 Recap (Ended at Lap 40):
- Started 11th, finished 9th.
- The No. 14 crew put on the faster option tires for the stage.
- Bowyer reported his car was too tight at the beginning of the run.
Stage 3 Recap (Ended at Lap 50):
- Started first, finished 12th.
- Bowyer moved to front of the field after a two-tire stop combining prime and option tires.
- Handling problems kept Bowyer from staying at the font of the field.
Stage 4 Recap (Ended at Lap 60):
- Only the top-10 average finishes competed in the fourth and final stage. Bowyer’s average finish was outside the top-10.
Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 14 Haas Automation Ford Fusion for Stewart-Haas Racing:
“Winning in the Open was a lot of fun. We had a good car tonight, our Haas Automation Ford was strong and I’m just proud to be a part of it. In the All-Star Race you just couldn’t pass. It was tough. We gambled with two tires in Stage 3 and almost made it work. I think we’ll be really good next week in the 600.”
Next Up:
The next event on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 28 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The event starts at 6 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FOX.