Laps on Laps on Laps!

Atlanta Motor Speedway was the place to be on Sunday February 25 as the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series kicked off the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.  Driver Kevin Harvick clinched his spot in the second race of the season as leading the scoreboard with 56 points and 181 of 325 laps.

The day started off with a 2 ½ hour rain delay with Kyle Busch leading the starting lineup. But that didn’t stop Harvick, who started in 4th place, from gaining up to a 10 second lead during the race. Harvick has actually led more laps than any of the other drivers at Atlanta with an overall total of 1,152. He celebrated his victory just as he did 17 years ago on his first win of the series, with a 3-finger salute honoring Dale Earnhardt.

Always in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/Yj1SJSncFt

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 26, 2018

Close behind him was Brad Keselowski, who came in 2nd place by 2.6 seconds. Keselowski was one to watch after winning this race last season and racking up 3 straight Atlanta Top 10s. He did jump ahead after a penalty temporarily slowed Harvick. Even though he won stage 2 of the race, he too fell victim to Harvick’s incredible speed.

8 to go! @KevinHarvick leads with @keselowski trying to catch him! pic.twitter.com/iZURtvQR7H

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 25, 2018

With 28 laps to go Treyvor Bayne, the 2011 Daytona 500 winner, had a mishap as his engine blew trailing plumes of smoke behind him. This also led Bubba Wallace and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to crash, taking both of them out of the competition.

.@BubbaWallace makes substantial contact with @StenhouseJr after smoke fills turns 1 and 2. #FoHQT500 pic.twitter.com/YJNymDkxxG

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 25, 2018

Austin Dillon, the recent Daytona 500 champion, started from the rear of the field and finished in 14th place. Dillon was also one to watch after winning the first race of the series just a week before.

Next up is the Penzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube which will take place on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday March 4, 2018.

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