NASCAR at Dover: Race result, highlights from 'Gander Outdoors 400'

Dan Bernstein

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NASCAR at Dover: Race result, highlights from 'Gander Outdoors 400' image

After barely making the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 12, Aric Almirola had a chance to win at Dover and secure a place in the next stage.

But with about five laps to go, Almirola was involved in a major crash that also damaged Alex Bowman, Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski.

That allowed Chase Elliott to claim victory despite leading just 11 laps.

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Joey Logano was the next-best playoff driver to finish, coming in third, while Kurt Busch slid into fifth spot.

Bowman and Clint Bowyer had the worst runs among playoff contenders.

Here's a look at the updated playoff standings:

1   Kevin Harvick: 3101     

2   Kyle Busch: 3096      

3   Martin Truex, Jr.: 3069     

4   Joey Logano: 3064       

5   Chase Elliott: 3056       

6   Brad Keselowski: 3054       

6   Kurt Busch: 3054      

8   Ryan Blaney: 3043    

9   Clint Bowyer: 3033    

9   Aric Almirola: 3033    

11   Kyle Larson: 3031   

12   Alex Bowman: 3009

NASCAR at Dover: Race result, highlights from 'Gander Outdoors 400'

Caution flags: 5

Lead changes: 15 lead changes among eight drivers

Lap leaders: Kevin Harvick (286), Aric Almirola (64), Kyle Busch (21), Chase Elliott (11), Brad Keselowski (8), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (7), Joey Logano (6), Clint Bowyer (1)

(All times EST)

5:42 p.m. — Chase Elliott wins it! He led just 11 of 400 laps, taking advantage of the late crash to come out on top. Big win for him.

5:37 p.m. — There will be overtime. Who is going to claim this?

5:33 p.m. — So it's heartbreak for Almirola, who was about five laps from a win and is now in big trouble moving forward.

5:31 p.m. — Here's a visual on that.

5:30 p.m. — Big wreck. For the second straight week Keselowski is involved. Red flag is out.

5:28 p.m. — Update: Clint Bowyer is done.

5:26 p.m. — Bowyer is having problems.

5:24 p.m. — Ten more. Almirola, Kurt Busch and Elliott are in front.

5:20 p.m. — Twenty laps remaining. Almirola is still holding on.

5:14 p.m. — Elliott is up to fourth place.

5:07 p.m. — We can't overstate how huge it would be for Almirola to get this win. He'd go from potential elimination this round to an automatic spot in the next one.

5:05 p.m. — The green flag is up after a caution for an axle in the middle of the track.

4:57 p.m. — Truex Jr. heads to the back after speeding on pit road.

4:54 p.m. — With 60 laps to go, it's Almirola, Bowyer and Truex Jr. leading the pack.

4:48 p.m. — Harvick has to pit again and Almirola is now in the lead!

4:40 p.m. — Larson is all the way back in 16th place.

4:33 p.m. — Here comes Keselowski!

4:28 p.m. — Blaney is doing some bobbing and weaving here. He's in eighth.

4:19 p.m. — Aric Almirola is up to second place. 

4:11 p.m. — It's been a rough race for Brad Keselowski so far. He'd been one of the hottest drivers going for a while, but he crashed out last week and is in 10th right now.

4:06 p.m. — This stat gives you a sense of how dominant this performance has been.

4:01 p.m. — Bowyer is trying to make a move right now.

3:51 p.m. — We're through 200 of the 400 total laps. Top 5: Harvick, Bowyer, Truex Jr., Logano, Kurt Busch.

3:43 p.m. — Some movement at the top, but Harvick is still in first.

3:32 p.m. — Bowyer is up to second place!

3:29 p.m. — Close call for Kyle Larson.

3:22 p.m. — Penalty for Chase Elliott.

3:08 p.m. — Stage 1 is over. Harvick, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch pace the field.

3:04 p.m. — Timmy Hill is done.

3:01 p.m. — Bowman, who entered this race near the cutoff line, is being lapped.

2:51 p.m. — Here's Clint Bowyer drifting around a turn.

2:48 p.m. — Harvick came into Sunday in prime position to advance to the next round anyway, but this is very impressive.

2:46 p.m. — Halfway through Stage 1, the top 3 is Harvick, Keselowski and Kyle Busch in that order.

2:41 p.m. — Harvick is getting it done right now. Still in the lead.

2:33 p.m. — Among playoff racers, Alex Bowman is having the worst day in 13th place. We're through 35 laps.

2:30 p.m. — After experiencing technical issues, Jimmie Johnson is way behind the pack. He's no longer in playoff contention, though.

2:20 p.m. — Through 20 laps, Kevin Harvick is in the lead. Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski trail just behind.

2:15 p.m. — We're underway!

1:49 p.m. — Big pre-race hug for Kurt Busch.

1:15 p.m. — Will Team Penske pull out a win today?

12:28 p.m. — Looks like Jimmie Johnson still feels bad about what went down at the end of the ROVAL 400.

Dan Bernstein