Brad Keselowski secured his first NASCAR victory in three years at Darlington Raceway, marking the 36th win of his career and his second at this iconic track. The race was a special moment for Keselowski as he celebrated the victory with his young daughters, Scarlett and Autumn, who joined him on the podium. This win was particularly significant as it came after Keselowski's transition from Penske to co-owner at Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing in 2022.
Keselowski's triumph came as he moved to the front when leaders Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick collided while battling for the lead with nine laps remaining. Despite the intense competition, Keselowski maintained his position to claim the victory in the Goodyear 400.
The race saw Ty Gibbs finishing second, Josh Berry in third, and Denny Hamlin in fourth place. Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Bubba Wallace, Justin Haley, and Michael McDowell rounded out the top ten.
Chris Buescher, who narrowly missed victory in a previous race, faced another disappointment as he slid to 30th place following the incident with Reddick, who took full responsibility for the collision. Buescher expressed frustration at the missed opportunity but acknowledged the need for maturity in handling such situations.
Notable incidents during the race included a collision involving Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr., and William Byron, which ended Blaney's chances of victory. Blaney, the defending Cup Series champion, expressed displeasure at Byron's move, resulting in a last-place finish for him. Truex, the 2017 series champion, also faced setbacks and finished 25th.
Josh Berry's third-place finish was a standout performance since taking over Kevin Harvick's No. 4 car. Erik Jones, a two-time winner at Darlington, finished 19th in his return to racing after recovering from a lower vertebra injury. Kyle Larson's No. 5 paint scheme paying homage to Terry Labonte's 1996 title-winning car was voted the best throwback by fans.
The NASCAR series will now take a break from points racing for the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro in North Carolina.
