Chase Elliott won Stage 2 of Sunday’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway -- with a little help.
Kyle Busch seemed he would win the stage, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – the two had tangled several times during the stage, causing damage to both of their race cars – pushed Busch out of the way on the final lap of the stage (Lap 260) so that he could remain on the lead lap.
Busch finished second in the stage, followed by Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Blaney, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Erik Jones, Trevor Bayne and Kasey Kahne.
Martin Truex Jr., who won Stage 1, finished 11th in Stage 2.
Elliott is seeking a weekend sweep, having won Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville.
There have been 10 lead changes and five cautions thus far in the 500-lap race. The final section of the race will be from Lap 261 through 500, barring any overtime laps.