It’s been well documented that when NASCAR comes to Dover, the first thing everyone sees at the track is the giant concrete statue at the track entrance. The big claw of a hand holds a full-size stock car, and shows how big of a grip he has on this speedway.
It’s often known that the favorite meal of “Miles the Monster,” as he is known, is sheet metal and worn rubber.
Yet on occasion, even Miles himself needs to cleanse the pallet for something new, or at the least something different.
Miles also has an appetite for feasting on missed opportunities. He certainly had that chance a while back when guys like Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. saw a strong run come to an abrupt end thanks to a multi-car accident. At the same time, he also got an extra meal when that occurred.
This time, it was Chase Elliott that saw Miles make a feast for him…or of him depending on those asked.
His first career victory was in sight, but also in sight was a car in his mirror, getting bigger with every passing lap. Cars trying to stay on the lead lap, even down to the final bit of the race, were causing him to slow up, and letting that car in the mirror keep increasing in size.
Two laps to go, it was not in the mirror anymore, but instead was alongside.
A pair of corners later, Elliott saw his chance to score his first win of his career disappear, and see a car with candy on every corner instead take victory.
Miles got a fresh pallet to enjoy his next feast, but that next feast won’t come until next year.
But, he now can hibernate knowing his last meal on a busy afternoon knowing he not only had a big meal, but also has fresh taste buds for the next time. See you next year, Miles.
STAGE 1 WINNER: Brad Keselowski
STAGE 2 WINNER: Kyle Larson
RESULTS: 1-Kyle Busch 2-Elliott 3-Johnson 4-Truex Jr. 5-Larson 6-Bowyer 7-Earnhardt Jr. 8-Suarez 9-McMurray 10-Keselowski
NOTABLE FINISHES: 11-Kenseth 13-Newman 14-Kahne 16-Dillon 17-Harvick 20-Kurt Busch 23-Blaney 35-Hamlin
CAUTIONS: 4 for 24 laps. Lap 88-92 (#33-T4 [Red Flag-15 Mins, 9 Secs.]); 122-127 (Stage 1 Conclusion); 168-173 (Fluid On Track From #55); 242-248 (Stage 2 Conclusion).
LEAD CHANGES: 15 among 6 drivers. M. Truex Jr. 1-25; K. Larson 26-60; M. Truex Jr. 61-82; C. Elliott 83; Kyle Busch 84-89; B. Keselowski 90-122; Kyle Busch 123-140; K. Larson 141-169; M. Truex Jr. 170-173; K. Larson 174-246; C. Elliott 247-324; Kyle Busch 325-328; J. Johnson 329-333; B. Keselowski 334-339; C. Elliott 340-398; Kyle Busch 399-400.
TIME OF RACE: 3 Hrs, 5 Mins, 48 Secs.
AVERAGE SPEED: 129.171 MPH
MARGIN OF VICTORY: 0.357 Seconds
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP PLAYOFFS: 1. Truex Jr, 3059; 2. Kyle Busch, -18; 3. Larson, -25; 4. Keselowski, -39; 5. Johnson, -42; 6. Harvick, -44; 7. Hamlin, -46; 8. Stenhouse Jr, -49; 9. Blaney, -51; 10. Elliott, -53; 11. Kenseth, -54; 12. McMurray, -56; 13. Newman, -992; 14. Dillon, -994; 15. Kahne, -1013; 16. Kurt Busch, -1015.
