Denny Hamlin won a rain-shortened Toyota 500 at Darlington Raceway, Wednesday night. The race was NASCAR’s second since returning from suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
NASCAR, like other sports, has returned without fans and that set up an interesting dynamic towards the end of the race.
A fox ran onto the track.
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Hey, little buddy. 🦊 Didn't we see you at Pocono a few years ago? pic.twitter.com/D4clZdJxwQ
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 21, 2020
The fox was spotted on the apron of the track after cars went down to pit lane during a downpour. Several crew members were spotted chasing the fox into the infield and away from the track.
Moments later the race was ended.
“Okay. Everything. Everything has happened here tonight,” Jeff Gordon said laughing.
The ironic part was that the race was aired on FS1, a channel owned by the Fox Sports Media Group
Mike Joy, FOX’s NASCAR play-by-play man, made note of that and then got super nerdy.
“We’re on FOX, FS1. I mentioned Lake Merriam (right by the race track). That’s named for Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox of the Revolutionary War. David Pearson was the Silver Fox, had a lot of wins at Darlington.”
The race initially went to caution due to Kyle Busch wrecking Chase Elliott on the front stretch while the two battled for second place.
KYLE BUSCH TURNS CHASE ELLIOTT 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/XQMGSBrtP5
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 21, 2020
Elliott, the son of 1988 Winston Cup Series Champion Bill Elliott, did not appreciate Busch’s poor driving very much. So he got out of his car and gave the 2019 champion a middle finger salute the next time around the track.
Chase Elliott with the middle finger for Kyle Busch! You can’t make this @NASCAR stuff up. #Toyota500 pic.twitter.com/blXLpVrvm7
— Adam Johnson (@Mr_GCU) May 21, 2020
That wasn’t the only weird thing that happened. The race winner, Denny Hamlin, wore a face mask of his mouth smiling during his post-race interview.
Who won Darlington and has two thumbs? THIS GUY. pic.twitter.com/EV8QOImQux
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 21, 2020
NASCAR, y’all.
Screenshot courtesy of FS1
