WINNERS
NASCAR and its drivers — The scene of drivers pushing Bubba Wallace’s car to the front of the grid and crew members following provided a powerful image of a sport that will not tolerate racial injustice.
Ryan Blaney — After coming so close this season, he finally scores his first Cup victory of the season.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. — His runner-up finish was his third top-five finish of the season. He had one top-five finish last year.
Aric Almirola — Yes, he finished third but he did it going backward. How cool was that?
Kaulig Racing — Consider what this team has done in the Xfinity Series recently. AJ Allmendingerwon the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus at Miami with his fourth-place finish. Then at Talladega, Justin Haley wins his first Xfinity Series race and the team also celebrates Ross Chastain winning the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus with his runner-up finish.
LOSERS
Chase Elliott — Wrong place, wrong time and result was a 38th-place finish.
Austin Dillon — Also wrong place, wrong time and result was a 39th-place finish
Matt Kenseth — Finished last at Talladega. Has not finished better than 15th in his last eight races.