Column: Quirky SRX exceeded expectations in debut season >Bill Elliott, Chase Elliott and Tony Kanaan, from left, talk with Darrell Waltrip, right, before an SRX Series auto race Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Mark Humphrey >Chase Elliott (94) leads Tony Stewart during the SRX Series auto race Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Mark Humphrey >Chase Elliott, center, holds his winner s guitar after winning the SRX Series auto race Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Tony Stewart, left, finished second, and Bill Elliott, right, finished third. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Mark Humphrey >Tony Stewart holds the SRX 2021 Series championship trophy after the SRX Series auto race Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Mark Humphrey
Updated July 18
Cup Series: Almirola takes upset win in New Hampshire
Aric Almirola gives Stewart-Haas Racing its first victory this season, earning a spot in the playoffs.
By DAN GELSTONAssociated Press
Charles Krupa/Associated Press
LOUDON, N.H. Aric Almirola carried the weight of a winless season while chasing a playoff berth that seemed implausible for a driver buried deep in the standings on a Stewart-Haas Racing program that had yet to take a checkered flag.
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WHERE: Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, N.Y.
WHEN: 3 p.m. Aug. 8
TELEVISION: NBCSN
His confidence sagged. The pressure tightened on the No. 10 team.
Under darkness, Almirola pulls off shocker at New Hampshire
With darkness closing in, Aric Almirola sprung to life late Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and pulled off the surprise victory, the first one of the year for Stewart-Haas Racing.
The Canadian Press
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LOUDON, N.H. Aric Almirola carried the weight of a winless season while chasing a playoff berth that seemed implausible for a driver buried deep in the standings on a Stewart-Haas Racing program that had yet to take a checkered flag.
His confidence sagged. The pressure tightened on the No. 10 team.
With darkness falling at New Hampshire, Almirola saw his season suddenly come into focus. Almirola sprung to life late Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and pulled off the surprise victory, a vital boost for SHR, Ford and another shakeup of the NASCAR playoff picture.
Under darkness, Almirola pulls off shock win at NH’s ‘Magic Mile’ >Brad Keselowski makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Loudon, N.H., on Sunday. >Denny Hamlin competes at a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Charles Krupa >Chase Elliott competes at a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Charles Krupa >Ryan Blaney competes at a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Charles Krupa >Bubba Wallace, right, smiles while watching New England Patriots wide receiver Gunner Olszewski catch a football thrown by a fan during a rain delay at the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Charles Krupa
Under darkness, Almirola pulls off shocker at New Hampshire >Brad Keselowski makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Charles Krupa >Denny Hamlin competes at a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Charles Krupa >Chase Elliott competes at a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Charles Krupa >Ryan Blaney competes at a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Charles Krupa