FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Tyler Reddick opened the round of 12 in the NASCAR playoffs with a win at Texas on Sunday, winning a week after being one of the first Cup drivers eliminated from title contention. .
After neither contender won one of the first three playoff races, the first at any round of this postseason format, the trend continued with the eliminated Reddick leading 53 of the final 54 laps in a long race that spanned lasted until nightfall.
Reddick survived an extended race that saw a record 17 caution flags at this circuit, plus 36 lead changes, a 56-minute lightning storm red flag and tire problems that led to crashes, including of Chase Elliott, points leader heading into the second round, and Christopher Bell, championship contenders.
Joey Logano was second, finishing 1.19 seconds behind. Logano took the points lead, by 12 over Ross Chastain.
Elliott, who entered the round of 12 as the points leader, had a frantic finish after contact with the outside fence on the lap after being on top midway through the race.
Flames were already visible on the right side of the number 9 Chevrolet when it hit the frontstretch, then turned around and came to a stop in the middle of the frame, where Elliott was uninjured as the car was engulfed in flames. He finished in 32nd position.
