#78-Martin Truex Jr. was the class of the field at Kentucky, leading a race-high 152 laps and winning every stage on his way to Victory Lane. He is now tied with Jimmie Johnson for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wins lead with three. Truex leads second-place Kyle Larson in the points standings by 34 points. One year after winning a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series-high 12 races, Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to have a driver visit Victory Lane this season. Most pundits expected Chase Elliott to get his first win by now. Although that hasn’t happened yet, the 21-year-old Chevrolet driver has quietly secured five top-eight finishes in his last six starts. Kyle Larson notched his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series-best sixth runner-up finish of the season, yet trails Martin Truex Jr. by 34 points in the standings. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series has reached its halfway point. The first half has featured three first-time winners, parity, youngsters giving fans a glimpse into the sport’s future, dominant performances from some familiar faces and the enhanced racing format elevating the competition. Eight races remain for drivers to earn berths in NASCAR’s playoffs. Two months after injuring his back in an incident at Kansas Speedway, Aric Almirola returns to pilot the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford this weekend at New Hampshire.(NASCAR)[Read More Here]
