Patrick started the race from the 25th position but dropped to 32nd in the opening segment of the race as she dealt with a racecar that was “just out of the track.” Crew chief Billy Scott utilized wedge, air pressure and packer adjustments to address the car’s handling throughout the race.
The No. 10 team ran as high as 24th at the midpoint of the race and was scored in the 26th position at lap 243 when Patrick made an unscheduled, green-flag pit stop for a loose left-rear tire. The stop left her in 31st and five laps down to the leader, but she was able to take the wave-around when the caution flag came out six laps later.
Patrick took the wave-around several more times in the closing laps, managed to gain several spots and crossed the finish in 24th.
“We fought all night long,” Patrick said. “My Nature’s Bakery crew did a solid job on pit road tonight. We were able to make the car better with some of the adjustments we tried tonight, so we’ll have to add that to our notebook for next year.”
Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Busch Beer Chevrolet SS, led the four-car SHR contingent Sunday at Darlington by finishing second.
Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 Haas Automation/Monster Energy Chevrolet SS for SHR, finished 35th after being involved in an accident on lap 326.
Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Coca-Cola Chevrolet SS for SHR, finished 36th after an engine issue put him out of the race on lap 317.
Martin Truex Jr. won the Southern 500 by 0.606 of a second over Harvick to score his fifth career Sprint Cup victory, his second of the season and his first at Darlington.
Kyle Larson finished third, while Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano rounded out the top-five. Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott comprised the remainder of the top-10.
There were 10 caution periods for 52 laps, with eight drivers failing to finish the 367-lap race around the 1.366-mile, egg-shaped oval.
With round 25 of 36 complete, Harvick leads SHR and the series in the championship standings. He is first with 840 points, 43 ahead of second-place Keselowski. Busch is sixth with 728 points, 112 behind Harvick. Patrick is 23rd with 467 points, 120 ahead of 31st place. Stewart is 27th with 426 points, 79 ahead of 31st.
Harvick, Busch and Stewart are all eligible to compete in the 16-driver, 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which begins after the Sept. 10 race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. All have won a race this season and are among the top-30 in points, the two requirements necessary to secure a spot in the Chase. Patrick can also earn a Chase berth by winning a race and staying inside the top-30. Just one race remains before the Chase begins Sept. 18 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois.
The next event on the Sprint Cup schedule is the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond. The last race before the Chase starts at 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, Sept. 10, with live coverage provided by NBCSN.
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