2021 Goodyear 400

The 2021 Goodyear 400[7] was a NASCAR Cup Series race was held on May 9, 2021, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Contested over 293 laps on the 1.366-mile (2.198 km) egg-shaped oval, it was the 12th race of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, and the 65th running of the race.

2021 Goodyear 400
Race details[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Race 12 of 36 in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series
Layout of Darlington Raceway, the track where the race was held
Layout of Darlington Raceway, the track where the race was held
Date May 9, 2021 (2021-05-09)
Location Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina
Course Permanent racing facility
1.366 mi (2.198 km)
Distance 293 laps, 400.238 mi (644.121 km)
Average speed 123.562 miles per hour (198.854 km/h)
Pole position
Driver
Team Penske
Grid positions set by competition-based formula
Most laps led
Driver Martin Truex Jr. Joe Gibbs Racing
Laps 248
Winner
No. 19 Martin Truex Jr. Joe Gibbs Racing
Television in the United States
Network FS1
Announcers Mike Joy, Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer
Radio in the United States
Radio MRN
Booth Announcers Alex Hayden and Jeff Striegle
Turn Announcers Dave Moody (1 & 2) and Mike Bagley (3 & 4)

Report

Background
2021 Goodyear 400 program cover

Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed "The Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition." It is of a unique, somewhat egg-shaped design, an oval with the ends of very different configurations, a condition which supposedly arose from the proximity of one end of the track to a minnow pond the owner refused to relocate. This situation makes it very challenging for the crews to set up their cars' handling in a way that is effective at both ends.

Events leading up to the race

When the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule was announced on September 30, 2020, a second race at Darlington was added for May 9, 2021, marking the first time since 2004 that the track had two races on the schedule (the 2020 season, changed by the pandemic, had three races).[8]

On December 11, 2020, Darlington Raceway announced its highly popular NASCAR Throwback weekend would move to the new May 7–9 weekend, effectively making a lineal swap of the two race meetings at the track.[9] On April 14, 2021, longtime NASCAR tire provider Goodyear announced a race sponsorship deal to call the race the Goodyear 400.[10]

Entry list
  • (R) denotes rookie driver.
  • (i) denotes driver who are ineligible for series driver points.
No. Driver Team Manufacturer Sponsor or Throwback
00Quin HouffStarCom RacingChevroletBos Klein/RCA – John Andretti's No. 98 paint scheme from 1997.[11]
1Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevroletMonster Energy
2Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFordFreightliner Trucks
3Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevroletBass Pro Shops – NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts' Pontiac paint scheme from 1959.[11]
4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFordMobil 1 – Harvick's No. 29 GM Goodwrench paint scheme from his Cup debut at Rockingham following the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001.[11]
5Kyle LarsonHendrick MotorsportsChevroletHendrickCars.com – Scheme paying homage to Larson's first race car.[11]
6Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway RacingFordKohler – Scheme paying homage to Kohler Generators' 1976 SCCA Runoffs win.[11]
7Corey LaJoieSpire MotorsportsChevroletValvoline – Alan Kulwicki's Zerex Antifreeze paint scheme from 1989. Spire Motorsports has alliance with Hendrick Motorsports, which is currently sponsored by Valvoline. The Valvoline division of Ashland, Inc. acquired Zerex from BASF in 1994, and the entire Valvoline division was spun off in 2017 to its own separate company.
8Tyler ReddickRichard Childress RacingChevroletJoe Nichols/Quartz Hill Records – Scheme paying homage to Grammy Award winning singer and NASCAR driver Marty Robbins.[11]
9Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevroletHooters – Team manager Brian Whitesell's first NASCAR Cup Series Championship, as a mechanic on the 1992 Championship team whose No. 7 paint scheme is used. Whitesell was a part-time mechanic on the team of Alan Kulwicki.[11]
10Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFordSmithfield Foods/Winn-Dixie – Mark Martin's No. 60 paint scheme from the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series Texas race that was not televised after rain delays and a request by MTV Networks management.[11]
11Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyotaSport Clips – Slick Johnson's No. 18 Seamless Machine paint scheme from 1983.[11]
12Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFordAdvance Auto Parts – Scheme paying homage to Blaney's 2010 PASS Series Late Model car.[11]
14Chase Briscoe (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFordHighPoint.com - A. J. Foyt's Copenhagen paint scheme from 1986.[11]
15James DavisonRick Ware RacingChevroletStrategic Wealth Partners/Smart Sanitizer – Dick Johnson's No. 38 Redkote paint scheme from 1989 (Davison and Johnson are Australians).[11]
17Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFordFifth Third Bank
18Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyotaM&M's – 80th anniversary.[11]
19Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaAuto-Owners Insurance matte black (a reference to matte black cars Truex drove for Furniture Row Racing).[11]
20Christopher BellJoe Gibbs RacingToyotaRheem
21Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFordMenards/Dutch Boy Paint (Alternate sponsor Motorcraft was not scheduled to be the primary sponsor on the car for this weekend; announced on May 28 the team will run the throwback scheme from the 2001 season where Elliott Sadler won the Food City 500 at Bristol during the September race.)
22Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFordShell – Scheme paying homage to Mario Andretti's first F1 win at Kyalami, South Africa (Shell also sponsors Scuderia Ferrari in F1).[11]
23Bubba Wallace23XI RacingToyotaRoot, Inc. – Scheme paying homage to NASCAR Hall of Famer Wendell Scott.[11]
24William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevroletValvoline – Neil Bonnett's No. 75 paint scheme from 1987.[11]
34Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFordFR8 Auctions – Bill Elliott's No. 9 Coors paint scheme that won the 1985 Daytona 500.[11]
37Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty RacingChevroletVelveeta – Crew chief Trent Owens' No. 15 Dickies paint scheme from the 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.[11]
38Anthony Alfredo (R)Front Row MotorsportsFordWe Care/Fr8Auctions – Alan Kulwicki's No. 38 Hardee's paint scheme from 1985.[11]
41Cole CusterStewart-Haas RacingFordHaasTooling.com – Special Mother's Day paint scheme honoring Margaret Haas, mother of team owner Gene Haas.[11]
42Ross ChastainChip Ganassi RacingChevroletMcDonald's – Hut Stricklin's No. 27 paint scheme from 1993.[11]
43Erik JonesRichard Petty MotorsportsChevroletSTP – Scheme paying tribute to John Andretti's 1999 Goody's Body Pain 500 at Martinsville race-winning car. It was the last win for Petty Enterprises.[11]
47Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevroletKroger/Tide – Ricky Craven's No. 32 Tide paint scheme from 2001 to 2004. Among the races won includes this race in 2003.[11]
48Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevroletAlly – Scheme paying homage to crew chief Greg Ives' Super Late Model car.[11]
51Cody Ware (i)Petty Ware RacingChevroletNurtec ODT – based on Darrell Waltrip Motorsports' No. 17 Exxon Superflo paint scheme used in Xfinity Series races.[11]
52Josh BilickiRick Ware RacingFordInsurance King – Lennie Pond's No. 54 Burger King paint scheme from 1979.[11]
53J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingFordFatBoy Ice Cream/Tunnel to Towers Foundation
77Justin Haley (i)Spire MotorsportsChevroletFraternal Order of Eagles – Robert Pressley's Jasper paint scheme from 1999.[11]
78B. J. McLeod (i)Live Fast MotorsportsFordKeen Parts/Corvetteparts.net – Scheme paying homage to NASCAR Hall of Famer Joe Weatherly's last win at Darlington in 1963.[11]
99Daniel SuárezTrackhouse Racing TeamChevroletCamping World – 55th anniversary.[11]
Official entry list

Qualifying

Brad Keselowski was awarded the pole for the race as determined by competition-based formula.[4]

Starting Lineup
Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer
1 2Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord
2 4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord
3 18Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
4 19Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
5 24William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
6 9Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
7 11Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
8 21Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord
9 3Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
10 8Tyler ReddickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
11 17Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFord
12 22Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord
13 34Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord
14 5Kyle LarsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
15 99Daniel SuárezTrackhouse Racing TeamChevrolet
16 12Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord
17 1Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
18 42Ross ChastainChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
19 48Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
20 6Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway RacingFord
21 20Christopher BellJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
22 14Chase Briscoe (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord
23 23Bubba Wallace23XI RacingToyota
24 41Cole CusterStewart-Haas RacingFord
25 38Anthony Alfredo (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord
26 43Erik JonesRichard Petty MotorsportsChevrolet
27 10Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord
28 47Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
29 37Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
30 7Corey LaJoieSpire MotorsportsChevrolet
31 77Justin Haley (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet
32 78B. J. McLeod (i)Live Fast MotorsportsFord
33 51Cody Ware (i)Petty Ware RacingChevrolet
34 53J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingFord
35 00Quin HouffStarCom RacingChevrolet
36 15James DavisonRick Ware RacingChevrolet
37 52Josh BilickiRick Ware RacingFord
Official starting lineup

Race

Brad Keselowski was awarded the pole for the second straight race. Aric Almirola slammed the wall after a flat tire while Kyle Busch spun while leading with a flat tire. Martin Truex Jr. dominated by leading the most laps and winning both stages. Cole Custer slammed the wall after contact with Anthony Alfredo while Kurt Busch got into the wall and caught fire after making contact with Bubba Wallace. Drivers split the final stage by pitting for green flag pit stops three different times. Kyle Larson was the only driver to challenge Truex for the lead as lapped traffic caused issues. Truex was able to pull away from Larson and win for his third win of the season.

Stage Results

Stage One Laps: 90

Pos No Driver Team Manufacturer Points
119Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota10
211Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota9
38Tyler ReddickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet8
45Kyle LarsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet7
54Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord6
622Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord5
712Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord4
89Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet3
924William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet2
1048Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1
Official stage one results

Stage Two Laps: 95

Pos No Driver Team Manufacturer Points
119Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota10
218Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota9
324William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet8
411Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota7
55Kyle LarsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet6
620Christopher BellJoe Gibbs RacingToyota5
722Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord4
88Tyler ReddickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet3
912Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord2
1017Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFord1
Official stage two results

Final Stage Results

Stage Three Laps: 108

Pos Grid No Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Points
1419Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota29360
2145Kyle LarsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet29348
3318Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota29343
4524William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet29343
5711Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota29348
624Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord29337
769Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet29333
81612Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord29335
91117Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFord29329
10206Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway RacingFord29227
112214Chase Briscoe (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord29226
12108Tyler ReddickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet29236
131222Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord29233
142120Christopher BellJoe Gibbs RacingToyota29228
151842Ross ChastainChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet29122
1693Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet29121
171948Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet29121
182643Erik JonesRichard Petty MotorsportsChevrolet29119
19821Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord29018
202847Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet29017
212323Bubba Wallace23XI RacingToyota29016
22307Corey LaJoieSpire MotorsportsChevrolet29015
231599Daniel SuárezTrackhouse Racing TeamChevrolet29014
2412Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord29013
252937Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet29012
262538Anthony Alfredo (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord28911
271334Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord28810
283177Justin Haley (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet2880
293453J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingChevrolet2860
303500Quin HouffStarCom RacingChevrolet2867
313615James DavisonRick Ware RacingChevrolet2866
323278B. J. McLeod (i)Live Fast MotorsportsFord2850
333752Josh BilickiRick Ware RacingFord2454
343351Cody Ware (i)Petty Ware RacingChevrolet1880
35171Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet1062
362441Cole CusterStewart-Haas RacingFord971
372710Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord51
Official race results

Race statistics
  • Lead changes: 19 among 10 different drivers
  • Cautions/Laps: 6 for 36
  • Red flags: 0
  • Time of race: 3 hours, 14 minutes and 21 seconds
  • Average speed: 123.562 miles per hour (198.854 km/h)

Media

Television

The race was carried by FS1 in the United States. Mike Joy, five-time Darlington winner Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer called the race from the broadcast booth. Jamie Little and Regan Smith handled pit road for the television side. Larry McReynolds provided insight from the Fox Sports studio in Charlotte.

FS1
Booth announcersPit reportersIn-race analyst
Lap-by-lap: Mike Joy
Color-commentator: Jeff Gordon
Color-commentator: Clint Bowyer		Jamie Little
Regan Smith		Larry McReynolds

Radio

MRN had the radio call for the race, which was also simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

MRN Radio
Booth announcersTurn announcersPit reporters
Lead announcer: Alex Hayden
Announcer: Jeff Striegle		Turns 1 & 2: Dave Moody
Turns 3 & 4: Mike Bagley		Steve Post
Kim Coon

Standings after the race

References
  1. "2021 schedule". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  2. "Darlington Raceway". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. January 3, 2013. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  3. "Entry List" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  4. "Starting Lineup". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  5. "Darlington 400 Results". NASCAR.com. NASCAR. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  6. "Points standings" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  7. "Darlington Raceway Rolls with Goodyear for the Goodyear 400 on May 9". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. April 14, 2021.
  8. "NASCAR's 2021 Cup Series schedule revealed". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. September 30, 2020.
  9. "NASCAR Throwback Weekend at Darlington shifts to May". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. December 11, 2020.
  10. "Darlington Raceway rolls with Goodyear for Goodyear 400". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. April 14, 2021.
  11. "2021 Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway Paint Schemes". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
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