In a dynamic NASCAR race, BJ McLeod experienced significant ups and downs. Initially, with drafting help from Denny Hamlin, McLeod took the lead, becoming the fifth different leader within the first 10 laps. Despite being shuffled back, he remained competitive, leading five of the first 36 laps, a personal best compared to his previous record of leading no more than two laps in any of his prior 138 starts. However, his performance was marred by mechanical issues as he reported a loss of fuel pressure, hit the wall, and had to pit, which significantly impacted his race standing. Additionally, the race saw pit road penalties for speeding issued to Zane Smith and Daniel Suarez.
Zane Smith spun again on pit road. #NASCAR
PENALTY: @ZaneSmith too fast on pit road. PENALTY: @Daniel_SuarezG too fast on pit road. #NASCAR
Pitting at Lap 42: 71 99 7 15 3 31 #NASCAR
Chevrolets are on pit road. #NASCAR
Pitting at Lap 41: Briscoe and Haley. #NASCAR
Briscoe and others on pit road. #NASCAR
McLeod got a shove going into Turn 3, and pops into the wall. He has radioed a loss of fuel pressure. Man, bummer. #NASCAR
BJ McLeod off the page and to pit road at Lap 40 as the field avoids him. #NASCAR
McLeod on pit road. #NASCAR
BJ McLeod has lost fuel pressure. #NASCAR
Re-lead McLeod with love from Chase Elliott back out front. #NASCAR
BJ McLeod has led five of the opening 36 laps. He had never led more than two laps (three times) in his prior 138 starts. #NASCAR
Expect pit stops within the next five laps or so now. #NASCAR
Truex ducked down from McLeod to work with his teammates, and McLeod leads another lap. #NASCAR
While the top three are side-by-side-by-side for the lead, BJ McLeod is still in the picture along with Daniel Hemric in fourth and fifth. #NASCAR
McLeod gets shuffled back to the middle, and Hemric is back to the lead. #NASCAR
McLeod with drafting help from Denny Hamlin, takes the lead. McLeod becomes the fifth different leader in the opening 10 laps of this race. #NASCAR