Aric Almirola, William Byron and Matt DiBenedetto Win Stages to Advance to All Star Race, Clint Bowyer Takes Fan Vote

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – JULY 15: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, races Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Kroger/Cottonelle Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open at Bristol Motor Speedway on July 15, 2020 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Aric Almirola’s recent string of momentum continued in Stage 1 of Wednesday’s NASCAR All Star Open race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Almirola got by Michael McDowell for the lead on lap 11, and wouldn’t look back as he led the final 25 laps of the Stage. While Almirola was on cruise control for the Stage Win, chaos was happening behind him.

Bubba Wallace, who led fan voting earlier in the week, was sent crashing out while running third late in the Stage. McDowell made contact, which ended Wallace’s All Star hopes.

In Stage 2, it was William Byron who took over the point, as he led all 35 laps of the Stage and the overall winner of the open race was Matt DiBenedetto, which secured his place in Wednesday night’s big show as well.

Results pdf: 2020 NCS NASCAR All-Star Open at Bristol

Joining Almirola, Byron and DiBenedetto in the All Star Race will be Clint Bowyer, who took the fan vote.

Toby Christie

Toby is the Founder of TobyChristie.com, and Editor-in-Chief of Racing America. Toby is also the co-host of The Final Lap Weekly Podcast. Additionally, he is an award-winning writer, and has followed the sport as a fan since 1993.