Throwback Weekend Delivers First Victory at Darlington for Team Penske Since 1975

DARLINGTON, SC - Brad Keselowski earned his 25th career win giving Roger Penske his first win at Darlington Raceway since Bobby Allison swept the season in 1975. Team Penske took the first and second positions in the 2018  Bojangles Southern 500, followed by Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, and Chase Elliot. 

A late race caution moved the race to pit road where Brad Keselowski's crew would step up and get their driver to the lead, narrowly beating Kyle Larson and Joey Logano off of pit road with 22 laps remaining in the Bojangles Southern 500.

The race held 6 cautions and seven lead changes amongst five drivers. Pole sitter Denny Hamlin would lead the first eleven laps until Kyle Larson took charge dominating segments 1 and 2.  Martin Truex Jr would lead 30 laps, but Kyle Larson would retake control for a majority of the race, leading a total of 284 laps, but Brad Keselowski led the laps that counted to win the 2018 Bojangles Southern 500.

Pit row penalties from missing the commitment cone to uncontrolled tires would affect various teams.  Martin Truex Jr. was one affected with a questionable uncontrolled tire penalty but was explained that the tire must remain an arm's length distance from crew members.  Jimmie Johnson was one of the first drivers that violated the commitment cone policy and would add to his night of struggles.  An Oil pump failure would put an end to Jimmy Johnson's run of the Bojangles Southern 500.  Jimmy Johnson is currently in the 14th position in playoff grid. (Karen Koelle,2018)

Results from Darlington Raceway

  1. Brad Keselowski
  2. Joey Logano
  3. Kyle Larson
  4. Kevin Harvick
  5. Chase Elliott
  6. Kurt Busch
  7. Kyle Busch
  8. Erik Jones
  9. Jamie McMurray
  10. Denny Hamlin
  11. Martin Truex Jr.
  12. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 
  13. Chris Buescher
  14. Aric Almirola
  15. Ryan Blaney
  16. Austin Dillon
  17. Paul Menard
  18. David Ragan
  19. Ryan Newman
  20. Michael McDowell
  21. Ty Dillon
  22. AJ Allmendinger
  23. Alex Bowman
  24. Kasey Kahne
  25. Matt Kenseth
  26. Darrell Wallace Jr.
  27. Corey LaJoie
  28. Ross Chastain
  29. Daniel Suarez
  30. Landon Cassill
  31. JJ Yeley
  32. BJ McLeod
  33. Derrike Cope
  34. Jeffrey Earnhardt
  35. William Byron
  36. Clint Bowyer
  37. Timmy Hill
  38. Matt DiBenedetto
  39. Jimmie Johnson
  40. Joey Gase
Photo Credit: Christian Koelle/CCK Photography

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