CONCORD, N.C. – Brad Kelowski extended Jimmie Johnson’s losing streak to 102 races, holding the seven-time NASCAR champion on Monday morning overtime at the Coca-Cola 600.
Selowski started behind the field, trying to move forward at Charlotte Motor Speedway and bet on not pitting when he carefully stopped Chase Elliott from winning with two laps remaining.
Elliott was pitted and Selowski led the eight-car train that remained on the track. He lined up in front of Alex Bowman in the deep line with Johnson – retiring from Cup racing at the end of the season – at the bottom in front of his teammate Ryan Blaney.
Selowski was encouraged to get into the clean air and deny Johnson’s victory. Selowski celebrated as usual by raising the American giant flag outside his window during his victory.
“I feel like I’ve thrown away this race several times and I think we will lose it today,” said Selowski. “I lost it like Chase lost it and it really stinks. And today we finally won that way.”
This is the first victory for Selowski this season, his first Coca-Cola 600 victory and the first win in this event for Ford since 2002.
Johnson had to settle for the second with Chevrolet, while Elliott, whose victory only snatched two laps from the finish, moved up to third for Hendrick to take two podium positions.
Elliott led comfortably and headed for victory when Hendrick Motorsports’ teammate William Byron turned around with a tire problem.
“That must be a joke,” Elliott said through his radio.
Elliott was crushed by Kyle Busch last week trying to race for victory at Darlington Raceway on Wednesday night.
The Sunday before Commemoration Day was supposed to be a stretch of motor sports that began with Formula One at the Monaco Grand Prix, then IndyCar and Indianapolis 500, followed by NASCAR and the longest race on the calendar.
Brad Selowski celebrates the victory of the Coca-Cola 600.Getty Images
The corona virus pandemic has erased the first part of the F1 schedule and, like IndyCar, is still waiting to start its season. Roger Penske, the new owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has moved the Indy 500. This marks the first time since 1946 that the 500 has not been run on Memorial Day weekend.
NASCAR can advance to its third Cup event in seven days under a health plan approved by state officials that allows the sport to continue after 10 weeks of absence. NASCAR runs three events in South Carolina, and the Coca-Cola 600 starts four days in a row in Charlotte.
A delay of almost 90 minutes of rain during the first stage of the race pushed the finish to Monday, but it still ended well for Penske, owner of the Selowski car.
