Chase Elliott pulled away in overtime and earned an automatic berth into the next round of NASCAR playoffs with a win Sunday at Dover International Speedway.

Elliott was the surprise winner in a race that had been dominated by Stewart-Haas Racing drivers. But when a slew of issues took Kevin Harvick, Aric Almirola and Clint Bowyer late, Elliott was there in the No. 9 Chevrolet to pounce.

Elliott earned his first career Cup win this season at Watkins Glen and earned a bit of redemption from a tough finish in last fall's Dover race. Elliott was passed by winner Kyle Busch with two laps left in the race and fell to 0 for 70 in his career.

Now, he has two wins and a Cup championship still in sight.

Elliott was greeted in victory lane with a hug from team owner Rick Hendrick and retired star Jeff Gordon also was there to congratulate the winning driver. Elliott's father, Hall of Fame driver Bill Elliott, was not at the race.

The top eight drivers after the next two races move on to the next round and Almirola, Bowyer, Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman are the bottom four after the first playoff race in the round of 12.

Harvick swept the first two stages and has 14 stage wins this season. Harvick and Kyle Busch are tied with seven victories this season.

Rain washed out qualifying and the field was set by points, putting the 12 playoff drivers at the top of the field. The stage ended with playoff drivers running 1-11 and Alex Bowman a lap down.

Jimmie Johnson, who has the Dover record with 11 wins, was forced to the garage during the pace laps because of mechanical woes on the No. 48 Chevrolet. Johnson's bid for a record eighth NASCAR Cup title ended last week when he was eliminated from the playoffs.

He eventually returned to the race 10 laps down. Johnson's race got worse when he was penalized twice on pit road and ended the first stage in 38th.

Dover results


1. (9) Chase Elliott 
2. (11) Denny Hamlin
3. (22) Joey Logano  
4. (20) Erik Jones  
5. (41) Kurt Busch 
6. (4) Kevin Harvick 
7. (3) Austin Dillon  
8. (18) Kyle Busch  
9. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 
10. (19) Daniel Suarez  
11. (12) Ryan Blaney 
12. (42) Kyle Larson  
13. (10) Aric Almirola 
14. (2) Brad Keselowski 
15. (78) Martin Truex Jr. 
16. (21) Paul Menard 
17. (31) Ryan Newman  
18. (1) Jamie McMurray 
19. (24) William Byron  
20. (6) Matt Kenseth 
21. (95) Regan Smith 
22. (47) AJ Allmendinger 
23. (43) Bubba Wallace  
24. (38) David Ragan  
25. (37) Chris Buescher 
26. (34) Michael McDowell 
27. (32) Matt DiBenedetto 
28. (88) Alex Bowman  
29. (13) Ty Dillon 
30. (72) Corey LaJoie 
31. (96) Jeffrey Earnhardt 
32. (23) JJ Yeley 
33. (00) Landon Cassill 
34. (51) BJ McLeod 
35. (14) Clint Bowyer 
36. (48) Jimmie Johnson 
37. (15) Ross Chastain 
38. (52) Harrison Rhodes 
39. (66) Timmy Hill