Chase Elliott held off Kyle Busch to take the checkered flag at Charlotte in the NASCAR Truck Series on Tuesday night, cashing in on a $50,000 bounty set by fellow Cup driver Kevin Harvick. Series sponsor Gander Outdoors CEO Marcus Lemonis matched Harvick's bounty, bringing the total to $100,000.
Congratulations @chaseelliott and @GMSRacingLLC fun to watch! Looking forward to figuring out where to send this money and help a whole bunch of people!! @NASCAR #bountyover
— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) May 27, 2020
Harvick set the initial bounty in February to motivate Cup drivers to enter races to challenge Busch, who entering Tuesday had won seven straight in the Truck Series. Before Tuesday, Busch had not lost a Truck race since 2018 and hadn't lost to a Cup driver since Austin Dillon defeated him at New Hampshire in 2015.
I like this so let’s make this fun. I’ll put up a $50,000 bounty for any full time cup driver who races a truck and can beat @KyleBusch in his next 4 races. #gameon https://t.co/BRjLCTxFJQ
— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) February 22, 2020
The next four scheduled races, unfortunately, didn't happen due to the sport's temporary shutdown in the wake of COVID-19. However, when Elliott signed up for the NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte, he made sure to remind Harvick of what was at stake.
I’ll be running the @NASCAR_Trucks race Tuesday night for @GMSRacingLLC in the @iRacing @chevrolet. You have that check book ready @KevinHarvick/@marcuslemonis?!? pic.twitter.com/3Ynj2YugHG
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) May 22, 2020
Harvick promised to make good on his bounty on Tuesday morning before the race but added a twist. Instead of giving $50,000 to the driver, it would be donated to a COVID-19 charity. Elliott and Lemonis were fully behind the revision.
The bounty is still on for tonight’s @NASCAR_Trucks race. However, in the current environment, the $50,000 donation will be made in the name of the cup driver who is eligible and beats @KyleBusch to a covid-19 relief effort of their choice.
— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) May 26, 2020
This has my full support, and is far more important right now. I’m excited to get over there and run, our @iRacing truck turned out great 👍🏼 https://t.co/nsLRlUuiRQ
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) May 26, 2020
I’m in and agree https://t.co/BLjmb5QEj3
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) May 26, 2020
As for the race itself, Busch was a -140 favorite at William Hill Sportsbook ahead of Elliott at +400. However, Elliott's pit strategy worked in his favor and put him ahead of Busch coming into the final laps. Remember, Elliott fell victim to a pit strategy move that cost him the Cup Series race on Sunday at Charlotte.
"That's just part of it."
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 25, 2020
A #CocaCola600 victory will have to wait for @chaseelliott. pic.twitter.com/mYqPCItkVD
In the race before that at Darlington, Busch wrecked Elliott with less than 30 laps to go which caused Elliott to flip a middle finger in Busch's direction. The No. 18 driver later apologized after the race calling it a mistake.
Elliott indicated in media availability that he would not retaliate against Busch on the track. However, once Elliott got the checkered flag in hand on Tuesday, he made sure he got the last laugh by imitating Busch's signature victory bowing celebration.
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) May 27, 2020
Safe to say Busch wasn't too pleased with the outcome.
Kyle Busch called Chase Elliott mocking his signature bow “cute” after the race pic.twitter.com/JbjJUiCjCr
— Matt Mayer (@MatthewMayerCBS) May 27, 2020
"There's going to be some (expletive) talking when I get home."- Kyle Busch after Charlotte pic.twitter.com/XFP7xxB5Z0
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 27, 2020
Busch and Elliott will have a chance to go at it again when the Cup Series returns to action on Wednesday night at Charlotte.
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