William Byron claims his fourth victory in the Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway

William Byron wins rain-shortened Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

In a thrilling race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, William Byron emerged as the victor, securing his fourth NASCAR Cup Series win of the season. The race, known as the Quaker State 400, was cut short due to rain, but Byron managed to take the lead from AJ Allmendinger on Lap 167 and held on until the race was declared official.

Despite facing challenges throughout the race, including a penalty and a spin, Byron showcased his skill and determination, ultimately clinching his eighth career win. The top five finishers alongside Byron were Daniel Suarez, Allmendinger, Michael McDowell, and Kyle Busch.

Notably, this race marked the 36th and final time that 2014 series champion Kevin Harvick would compete at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Harvick, who won his first Cup Series race in 2001, replacing the late Dale Earnhardt, finished in 30th place in this particular event.

The race had its fair share of intense moments, reminiscent of past iconic finishes. In Stage 1, Ryan Blaney narrowly edged out Kyle Larson, reminiscent of Harvick's first win over Jeff Gordon 22 years ago. However, Larson's race took a turn for the worse when he spun out and was hit by Erik Jones, leading to severe damage to his car.

As the race progressed, the threat of bad weather loomed, prompting the drivers to push hard to secure their positions. Chris Buescher and Allmendinger led the pack as Lap 130 approached, which would make the race official. However, a collision between Jones, Corey LaJoie, Ross Chastain, and rookie Ty Gibbs brought out the fifth caution, disrupting the flow of the race.

In Stage 2, Alex Bowman's car got loose and caused Denny Hamlin's car to spin, resulting in the sixth caution. Brad Keselowski, who had yet to win a race and needed playoff points, managed to secure the stage win under caution.

Overall, the rain-shortened Quaker State 400 provided plenty of excitement and showcased the skill and determination of William Byron, who emerged as the victor. The race also had its fair share of dramatic moments and served as a memorable farewell for Kevin Harvick at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

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