NASCAR Ford Teams Stalled By Rain Atlanta 2023: Video

A pair of NASCAR Ford Mustang race cars led the field to green at Atlanta Motor Speedway on July 9^th, 2023, and proved that The Blue Oval was fast throughout the race – but when rain put an early end to the Cup Series race, they just weren’t in the right place to take the checkered flag.

In fact, the No. 10 NASCAR Ford of Aric Almirola captured the pole position, and went on to lead 46 laps, and Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Mustang took the Stage 1 win. Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 6 Mustang, emerged as a top competitor in the second stage, and was first across the line for the Stage 2 win.

However, in Stage 3, Keselowski’s No. 6 NASCAR Ford team elected to pit while others stayed out to gain position with the threat of rain looming, miring him deep in the pack. However, Keselowski was able to recover with his face race car, and put the No. 6 Mustang up to sixth by the time the race was called for rain.

On Lap 178, NASCAR ultimately ended the race early due to a severe rainstorm that drenched the track. All said and done, the No. 34 Mustang of Michael McDowell was able to salvage a fourth-place result after acquiring damage during his first pit stop after making contact with another racer. JJ Yeley’s No. 15 NASCAR Ford finished seventh thanks to his crew chief’s pit strategy, and Blaney brought in a 10^th-place finish in the No. 12 Mustang.

It certainly would have been interesting to see what the NASCAR Ford teams could have really done if weather hadn’t forced NASCAR to end the race early. The No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 of William Byron was in the right place at the right time, and was crowned winner.

# – Rookie
i – Points ineligible
* – Part-time driver

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